Date: Tuesday 28th August 2012
Route: WP, Meavy, Ringmore Cottage, Cadover, Shaugh Bridge, Dewerstone Cottage, Goodameavy, moorland E & W of A386, HQ.
The Quackers: The Meister, Sam, Colin, Keith, Paul, James, Steve B and Chris
Depart WP: 19:42
Arrive HQ: 2 @ 21:50, 4 @ 22:12, 1 @ 22:16 and 1 @ 22:32 (It's not funny!).
Distance: 9-12 miles
Weather: What do you expect? It's mid soddin' Summer!

A wet night looked on the cards, a wet night only good for wet weather fowls. Have to say, I thought it might have been one of those nights when it would be nicer tucked under the eider but no, it was a night for tuftees....and as usual there would be nor egrets from those that did bother to roll up. (there's always one exception)

Willowby Park cowered under a grey curtain, a curtain that quelled the mood of the riders some what as they rolled into the street. Discussions were muted at first as it seemed that only Keith, the Routemeister and myself would be out, but then as the others turned up the discussion took off. Where are we going? High, climb above the cloud.... we weren't bleedin Canada geese; let's go straight to the HQ waded in Paul..... but no, I am choughed to say that GOWCC riders weren't about to duck out and take the easy option. And in any case the Meister had made the call "We should go low!".

Low was the choice, (going low was something that others were probably doing as we were to discover later) except we climbed! We climbed from Meavy Village to Ringmore Cottage via the Earthquake. We rode over Ringmore Down before eventually dropping onto Cadover Bridge. Although a tough start it was pretty straight forward. Things were to change pretty rapidly as we rode down the pipeline to Shaugh Bridge.

The Pipeline rode at its most trickiest, Moisture on the paths, moisture on the pipeline and moisture in cracks and crevices which made cycling most uncomfortable. The moisture caught out both the unwary and more specifically the unskilled. I fitted both brackets. the Meister, James and more specifically Sam rode imperiously through the hazards. Chris, the newcomer from Lake Lane also showed a talent for the slippery stuff. Paul rode like no one else can; Keith & Steve Bradfield descended cautiously. I was more tentative and cautious... this is not the way to take on some of the slippery descents. Oh Pooh!, Steady On! or Jolly Enjoyable Ride!...were not the thoughts in my mind. I was not exactly lapwing it up.... but neither was I bittern (Ugh!). To make matters worse, it now now started to absolutely piss down and I don't mean the fuffy wuffy stuff either!

At Shaugh Bridge, there was a split, my lights were playing up so I took the road route back to Goodameavy Bridge. The others waddled up to Dewerstone Cottage. I waited at the gate effecting light repairs and before long as I craned my ringing wet neck, I heard the whoopees of the returning marauders. At least the return from the cottage to Goodameavy had been fun... or so it appeared!

Where now then? Well we rode up Goodameavy Hill and as I passed the puffin Paul, I could see that he was also experiencing light problems and whilst everyone else turned off to ride the moorland route home Paul rode directly back to the watering hole. James turned round to chase up and escort Paul back. A heron? No whilst making out he was playing Mother Goose, James was just taking the easy option, he was just as shagged as Paul (and maybe some of those ducks we saw (see below)).

The others followed new routes back towards the main road. Those returning home this way found other bits of fun. A split in the field saw either one of Sam or Chris take a dive into a particuarly deep puddle. I couldn't see for sure and neither coud I relax to post my mirth.... the rest of us had our own ponds to negotiate. Moments later we stumbled upon other people ducking and diving. Also think that they may have been red throated or red ring necked. I didn't stay around too long to check..... just long enough for Mr Bradfield to describe the typical call and displays of these Lurv birds! Class showed great interest, especially the Meister! We moved on after eight minutes mainly because somebody flashed a headlight and it wasn't one of ours!

Having crossed the A386 the pace was ramped up. Sam, Meister, Steve and Chris lead the way, I tried hard to stay some distance off their tail. Keith was the dim "flame rouge" and so much so that by the time I had reached the Yelverton Rock (not the pub) the flame seemed to have been snuffed out. I waited in the pourring rain for approximately 10 minutes, Soaked to the skein, I certainly didn't have a ducks back! I tried unsuccessfuly to make contact with Keith, "bugger no signal", I moved on and tried again. Better luck this time but guess what? Where was he? Only feathering his little nest back at HQ! He did at least offer to get a pint ready for me.... most honourable and welcome. Thanks Keith!

I'd like to report, as we nearly always do, that it still had been a good night.......

I had one last thing to do and that was to go to the bar and get my crisps....it gave me the excuse to keep a breast of issues going on with the birds at the bar.(No panic wifey, I didn't really I just had 5 more duck words to fit in to the report. There's still 3 left....goosepimples, drake and gander. I'm fed up now.
Hang on! I've an idea..... please put together a sentence related to cycling which incorporates the 3 or more wet fowl words. A pint to the best entry.

Reporter: Colin