Date: Tuesday
3rd January 2012
Route: WP, Yennadon, Keith & Leathertor Bridge,
up Boneshaker, down Boneshaker, Handrail, HQ
Riders: Sam, Gidon, Keith, Steve B, James,
Dan & Julian
Depart: 19:50
Arrive HQ: 22:20
Distance: 14 miles
Weather: Dry and clear, but very wet & muddy
After the windiest day for many-a-moon, seven
gents headed off from WP, notably only one resident…
From Yelverton to lake lane, the first obstacle, 2’ of
water flowing across the road. Iron mine lane and then taking
the middle track at the top across Yannadon down. The pace was
leisurely and the talk was of the excesses of the New Year. Heading
across the old train track above Burrator and then following
the road west to shagger’s van (not shaggin’ tonight).
From here along the leat for a couple of miles to Keith’s
bridge where we tentatively tiptoed across.
We then paddled down
toward Leather tor bridge; gents were in agreement that it was
the most water anyone had ever seen on this stretch, literally
a stream running down the hill. We then took a sharp left at
the bridge toward the boneshaker onwards ‘n’ upwards.
Steve, sensible as ever, urged us to shelter ¾ of the
way up rather than wait for stragglers on the exposed summit
of Nun’s Cross.
We waited and waited for Gidon and Dan
and decided to do the gentlemanly thing and head back down to
see what the problem was, Mr Thompson would have been appalled!
Passing a Dartmoor rescue contingent on our descent, the two
lost sheep explained their dilemma. After being split from the
platoon and seeing distant lights, they decided to follow, who
else would be silly enough to be out? The two were now off off-road
and realized that they had been following the afore mentioned
Dartmoor rescue group, doh.
Around the reservoir to the handrail, going was extremely soft,
much of the uphill sections were unrideable. When back on the
road, there was only one thing in mind and that was drink, alcohol
levels falling dangerously low after the regular intake during
the festive period. All good fun.
Reporter: Sam
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