Date: Tuesday 24th April 2012
Route: WP, W’ton, Pew Tor, Cox Tor Car Park, Merrivale, Badger Alley, Routrundle, Rescue Car Park, Burrator Woods, Leat, Lowery Cross, Yennadon, Lake, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Paddy, Stephen, Steve B, James, Julian, Gidon, Alex,
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 10:05
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: Showery and cold

Rain threatened but a good turnout all the same. ‘Meister had suggested a route which due to lack of other options was readily agreed and off he set at his usual blistering pace with Alex hot on his heels. After W’ton and Huckworthy Bridge the hill provided its usual amusement especially when ‘meister hung a right up the bridle way condemning the rest to off road steepness!!!

A brief respite to regroup and off we went through Sampford Spiney where ‘meister had gone left with Alex and despite his protestations about the regular splits during last weeks ride, were so far ahead that the rest of us had to guess which way…and obviously went right!!

So two routes round Pew Tor were negotiated by which time Keith had decided his legs were up to it and joined ‘meister and Alex…foolish boy!!! The rest of us stayed high and watched ‘meister etc with his usual display of togetherness disappear into the distance!!! Only at Cox Tor car park did we find Keith who had decided discretion was the better part of valour and waited for the mortals!!!

Meister and Alex were observed in the distance on the Sortridge Leat towards Vixen Tor and an easy group decision to take the road to Badger Alley was made, where Dartmoor proved without question there is NO DROUGHT!!! Down we all went to the Ward Bridge crossroads and at only 2110, the hard left up to Routrundle was taken where ‘meister and Alex were conveniently waiting at the top!!

HQ was calling and Gidon and Keith just couldn’t wait (bear the climb up to the rescue car park) and headed off downhill for W’ton. The rest slogged up to the Princetown road, across and down to Burrator Wood and the canter along the leat to Shaggers Van and the upper reservoir road to Lowery Cross.

The usual run down Yennadon to Iron Mine Line was boggy to say the least but relief was not far away in the form of nicely refined Dartmoor water and its availability at HQ!!! Thanks to Steve B for waiting for me at Dousland…sorry I took a slightly different route than expected. The beer must have tasted just that little bit better though ;-)

Reporter: Paddy