Date: Tuesday 3rd July 2012
Route: Rock CP, Aqueduct, Cramber Tor, Crazy Well, Norsworthy Bridge, HQ.
Riders: Jame H, Alun G, Paul A, Rob M.
Distance: 12 miles
Weather: Ha Ha Ha

“Since at dimpsey the frogs do croakin', we'em be soon due a soakin'”

It must have been raining too hard to hear the frogs croakin’ but we certainly got our soakin’. It had been raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock. So – the rain came down, the rivers swelled and the numbers? ….. well four were laughing and smiling as they set out into the mist and rain. Up Lake Lane, Iron Mine and then along the railway line to the woods below Lowery Cross. The rain had made the paths muddy slush and the ride down through the woods to pick up the leat track was a toboggan of mud. Then rode alongside the leat to the aqueduct over the Meavy. The Leat was over its banks in places causing washouts and the Devonport Leat was pouring down the side of Raddick Hill in spectacular fashion. The plan was to ride out to the base of Black Tor to inspect the waterfall by the old Blowing House. The iron bridge which is normally a couple of feet above the water was one foot under it. Rob tried to ride it and ably demonstrated the merits of walking across – which the others then did.

Across to Hart Tor Brook via the stone row – we encountered another difficult crossing. Eventually a spot narrow enough to leap across was found – Alun had the good plan of flinging his bike across – only for it to land exactly where we in turn would have needed to land when we jumped across. So – eventually, another crossing point was found and the exercise was completed without further mishap. Visibility was about 40 metres now, but the air was still and fairly warm we rode up into the mists toward Cramber Tor. It was pretty slow and tough going as we picked our way toward the Leat again and then dropped down to Crazy Well Pool. A fun descent down through Norsworthy Plantation saw us to Norsworthy Bridge. The light was starting to fail now – Dimpsey (twilight) had come early due to the mist – Paul had no light so he rode up ahead. I am not sure which of us came up with this brilliant idea of asking the person who could not see to lead through the gloomy obstacle strewn woods but we were soon rewarded as our unfortunate test pilot dived spectacularly over his handle bars at the first opportunity to hit a log with sufficient speed to permit him to clear his bike before face planting. The number laughing and smiling fell to three. Back to base then – with a mighty 12 miles on the clock – a cracking ride though. We joined other intrepid Gentlemen at the Rock – their tales of daring do as they walked round to the Rock will have to wait for another time.

So when will it stop raining this summer?
When pigs run around energetically, especially if they have straw hanging out of their mouths and run towards home – then rain is coming.
Basically if you live in Dartmoor – it is going to rain………………

Reporter: Rob

The ride as seen through the (muddy) eyes of the 'Test Pilot'

Wet Wet Wet

The four members of this “band” met at HQ on this drizzly evening as all other members had made it clear that it was far too inclemant for them.

We took off towards Woodmans bend, hung a right and headed for the moral high ground. Bearing right across Yennadon and then left along the railway line. Down through the woods to pick up the leat (which had breached in several places) passing the Dartmoor Rescue Group with whom we exchanged unpleasantries and onwards into the moors. At the point where the leat went right we went straight on to discover some even more dramatic river water course breaches. We spent the next 15 minutes throwing ourselves and our bikes into and across various passages of H20. The highlight was Rob's brave attempt to traverse one the the 3 inch wide temporary steel bridges which was so nearly successful. But the difference between success and failure meant ending up waist deep in the fast flowing Plym.

We then rode and pushed our way up and across to Crazywell Pool before battling our way down to meet the Boneshaker. As an alternative we hung a right part way down and negotiated our way down through the woods.

At Notter Bridge we hoped over the fence and then headed anticlockwise around Burrator along some root riden tracks hugging the waters edge which was now impressively high.

As it was now getting dark and I had forgotten my lights, my three fellow band members made the following suggestion. “Why don’t you go in front and benefit from our collective lights?” I was (briefly) very appreciative but less than 30 seconds later I found myself face down in a substantial muddy puddle. My silhouette had hidden a sizeable log in the aforementioned puddle lurking like a stealth crocodile, waiting for some t**t to come around the corner with no lights! Once the rest of “Wet Wet Wet” had stopped laughing at my rendition of “I believe I can fly” they helped me out of the puddle, gathered up my belongings and my pride and we headed for HQ.

Our arrival at HQ was met with a mixture of sniggers and commendation for braving the weather and curiosity from the sensibly dressed members of GOWCC as to my appearance. We all gave our version of the event and sank a well earned jar or two and laughed (more at me than with me I fear).

Reporter: Paul