Date: Tuesday
29th “Mo” vember 2011
Route: WP, Lake, Yennadon, Lowery, Burrator,
Sheepstor, Scout Hut, Eylesbarrow, Top, Boneshaker, Leather
Tor Bridge, Lowery,
Yennadon, Lake, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Sam, Stephen, Steve B, Simon,
James, Paddy, Julian & Dan (making a welcome comeback!!!)
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 2200 - 2230
Distance: 16.5 miles
Weather: Cold, clear and damp under wheel.
There's been a Murder (in your best Taggart accent)
A good turnout considering the horrible weather earlier in the
day with Dan on the comeback trail after five months off after
his altercation with a Cann Wood tree.
Stephen set too setting the usual blistering pace but regretted
it as his derailleur melted on Yennadon Down. Stephen being Stephen
manfully carried on to the end, ignoring the mechanical troubling
him. By that, of course I mean he buggered off home in a huff
and came to the pub showered and ready for work!!!
So 9 became 8 and after brief conflab we trundled down the Burrator
old railway, and rode along the edge of the leat back to the
upper road where 8 became 6 as Steve B suggested getting to the
Scout Hut by going over the top of Sheepstor from the plantation
(mad!) through the Sheepstor Bog. Then, what's more, persuaded
Simon to go with him. The sane amongst us took the road to S'Tor
village and up the road to the Scout Hut picking up a late departing
Sam on the way.
The group was beginning to stretch. Dan's spirit was strong but
his legs lacked miles and he dutifully pushed up to Eylesbarrow.
In GOWCC spirit we all buggered off and left him (except Steve
B who had caught up after his bogathon).
On to the Boneshaker turn and down towards the reservoir. Boneshaker
living up to its name, until 2/3 of the way down where some tracked
vehicle had been busy flattening it out and putting in drainage
ditches, indeed MURDERING it. To have Boneshaker being easy is
not the point. Boneshaker is there to torment and abuse bike
riders, sap spirit and eat the unwary whether traveling uphill
or down. Now sadly, partially murdered.
Leather Tor Bridge, Shaggers Van (no longer there), Lowery Cross,
Yennadon Down, Lake and home. Greg joined us for a pint sporting
ferret on upper lip in direct contravention of GOWCC rule 11.3.746a
(facial hair to be waxed daily). He does a mean rendition of
the Ace of Spades though with Steve B on backing vocals.
Pints were drunk, records not broken and feet thawed. It’s
getting cold!!!
Reporter: Paddy
President's Footnote: I'm not guilty, but have
to admit I was quite pleased that the Boneshaker had been murdered,
partly because when I got to the bottom I realised my suspension
was still locked out!!
|