Date: Tuesday 10th January 2012
Route: WP, Meavy, Ringmore, DWH, Eylesbarrow, Nuns X, Boneshaker, Norsworty Brige - HQ.
Riders: Julian, Colin, Gidon, Dan, Rob, Greg, Steve B, Routemeister
Depart: 19:50
Arrive HQ: 22:20
Distance: 14 miles
Weather: Clear mild starlit night

We picked this route to commemorate the release of the film 'Warhorse' so naturally enough we had to take in the landscape that features heavily in the early part of the film. Rather like the film the evening passed with a number of highs and lows.

Eight of the expeditionary corp departed from Willowby Park on a fine clear night. After the easy ride to Meavy, we took on 'Earthquake'... uphill - a tricky ride in the best of conditions. Tonight was not one of those best ones and one or two of the steeds or was it the riders struggled on the slippery paths. As usual Sam, Greg and Steve powered away to top the rise at Ringmore Cottage first. Others made a more leisurely ride of it, some bright spark whistling that old great song, "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag!" as the pedals turned in rythymn.

We negotiated Edward's path successfully after carefully steering clear of the water filled craters We stopped temporarily at Ditsworthy Warren House - the architectural star of the first part of the film although in the film it was tarted up with a thatched roof and polystyrene outbuildings. Out north and west we rode, up Drizzlecombe... riders' brows & breaths and glistened, illuminated in the glare of Gidon's spotlight. There was then a shout....rider down. Whilst Gidon's light worked superbly this evening, his geartrain struggled to cope in the muddy and abrasive conditions. A cardinal sin.... poorly maintained equipment. Suspect the stable lad will get a prison sentence!

Despite or inspite of the tinkering, the chain eventually gave up and despite Gidon's valiant " Go on leave me, I'll make it!", the group collected and discussed the next leg of the ride whilst Gidon aided by Julian completed the repair. We drifted from Eylesbarrow to Nuns Cross Farm towards Princetown. Rob decided that his tyre was under pressure. He didn't want to unnecessarily increase the risk of a puncture knowing that we were about to descend the notorious 'Boneshaker'. Because of this delay and because of more equipment failure on Dan's steed, the group split into two.... the second group, headed by Rob began the descent. Again the second group stopped. Rob was down now..... a bloody puncture would you believe it? While repairs were completed, the rest of the corp relaxed in the ambience of the moonlit sky. It was quite a sight as low lying clouds raced overhead leaving shadows chasing light chasing shadows on the ground below.

With bones shaken the corp returned to Burrator reservoir via the meandering single track through Riddicks Plantation to Norsworthy. With no rations left and moreover valuable drinking time wasting away, we returned swiftly to HQ without much further ado (Rob took a slight detour). In the meantime, the leadout group had returned to the pub via Leather Tor tracks and Yennadon Quarry.

Martin was waiting for us all......all poshed up like one of them la di da officers who forced the troops out and watched the returning carnage, apparently he'd been to a governors evening....yeh yeh or yaah yaah.

Rob returned hair licked and rosy faced with Captain the dog in tow. Despite Rob's best covert effort, his spotter dog was spotted and summarily despatched by one of the enemy... a member of the bar staff who couldn't wait to recount her victorious conquest, with a couple of "so I told 'im...." thrown in for effect to her fellow black clad staff.

We just drank the customary pint and looked forward to the next expedition.

Reporter: Colin