Date: Tuesday 14th February 2012
Route: WP, Gratton, Cadover, Trig Point, James' track to Lee Moor, Tramway, Cann Wood, Railway, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Sam, Stephen, Julian & Greg.
Depart: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 22:00
Distance: 20 miles
Weather: Dry but windy

Gentlemen or Bounders?

For the first time in GOWCC history, St.Valentine's day fell on a Tuesday. Dilemma? Not for the gentlemen, they knew what was best, but for varying reasons five bounders did decide on an evening with the Routemeister was better than an evening with the Misses!!

The Meister's suggested route was watered down slightly, but the start from WP up the hill from Gratton Bridge was the sort of opening the wives of the five would have thought suitable punishment. Left at Cadover Bridge then up to the Trig Point and James' track anticlockwise around the bottom of the clay pits.

Now we cut a chunk out of the suggested route by dropping down to the old tramway. A tricky, boggy, rutty ride ensued until we were faced with a nice new padlocked, six foot gate, with barbed wire, in place of the old low freely opening version. It gave us the hint that perhaps we were not welcome here anymore!

Into Cann Wood and at this point I was suffering from the 'Curse of St.Valentine'. Sam suggested it was Debbie putting pins into my doll at home, but I decided I'd need all my remaining energy to get to HQ, so I waved the other four off as they started to play in the woods.

Next for me was the slowest ride up the old railway I've ever done. If David had been with me he would have disappeared into the distance! As I got to Clearbrook I started to worry that the others would catch me up, so I summoned up all my remaining energy to get to HQ first, order my pint and sit down just before Sam walked in.

Talk over the Jail was how St.Valentine's day had become an overtly commercial occasion that was a ruse to get money out of gullible, young men, a category that none of us fell into!! Still, at least we went home to our wives, more than could be said for Dan who spent the whole Valentine's week in Las Vegas with the 'lads'!!

An important date for your diaries gentlemen, 18th March is Mothering Sunday!

Reporter: Keith