Date: Tuesday 17th April 2012
Route: Clearbrook, Martyn's Bridge, Cann, Turners, Diner, HQ.
Riders: Julian, James, Sam, Keith, Stephen, Colin, Dan & Steve B (it's rumoured)!
Depart WP: 19:50
Arrive HQ: 10:05
Distance: 18.5 miles
Weather: Dodgy, but we were lucky until leaving HQ.

I've Never Known a Night Like It!

The April showers that I don't remember actually seeing for years are back. As I waited outside No.4 WP, another shower got under way. I sheepishly made my way into Colin's porch expecting abuse from the other four gents, but within a few seconds the porch was full with five grown men and backpacks all tightly squeezed into a very small, far too cosy space. This may have caused some confusion as it appeared to any late comers that we'd already gone!

So we set off a little fragmented and this set the tone for the ride. As I waited for Colin and James, Dan waited at the first gate by the cricket pitch. As I looked back it appeared that we'd gained another rider and later in the pub I was informed that Steve B had ridden to WP, but seeing nobody there he went into the Co-op and bought some beer instead! On coming out he saw Colin and James and joined the tail of the ride with beer onboard!

I can't explain what happened next, but somehow the front five lost the rear three. After a few phone calls, we still didn't manage to join up. We headed into Cann where five became four and one, we lost Sam! Sam then found the other three which apparently had now turned into two because the three had lost Steve B, who I assume went home early to drink his beer alone!

At this point Sam tried to phone me but rang my home number and got Debbie instead! I'm not sure who was the more surprised!! After doing some Cann loops that the Meister described as "a totally pointless exercise designed by a ten-year-old", I got hold of Sam who said he would join us with the other two in thirty seconds. After ten minutes we headed for HQ without them, going up the stiff climb to Woolwell roundabout then inside the fence alongside the A386.

Shortly after the four arrived at HQ, two of the three turned up, but Sam had gone home "on account of you lot abandoning me in those scary woods"!!! I've no idea how accurate this report is, but isn't it true that in the old days before mobile and smart GPS phones, this would never of happened!

Reporter: Keith