Date: Tuesday 12th June 2012
Route: WP, Meavy, Earthquake (the wrong way!), Ringmoor cottage, Cadover, Clay pits, Lee Moor, Loop around clay pits, old tramway into Cann, Cann to HQ.
Riders: Keith, James, Paul, Alun, Stephen, Dan & Sam.
(Road: Colin, Gidon, Rob & Martyn)
Depart WP: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 10:30
Distance: 20 miles
Weather: Wet

Soggy End

Well this is my 3rd ride with GOWCC and following a brief window to the inclement weather a fine team assembled at WP, from here the group split into road and XC. The XC pack departed WP for Meavy, the route at this point was uneventful. Morale was high with all riders looking forward to the climb UP earthquake. This served as a rigorous warm up to the evening’s frivolities.

We proceeded across Ringmoor Down to Cadover turning left climbing up and through the clay pits. After an unplanned deviation from the normal route by the Meister (his excuse was and I quote "I’m not used to riding the pits in the daylight"!!!) normal service quickly was resumed. Luckily James and the el pres had spotted the problem and had the foresight to halt until the pack saw the error of their ways and made a u turn.

Onwards to the trig point at the top of Shaugh Moor we skirted around the side of the clay pits to drop down into the back of Lee Moor. From here the Meister was keen to locate a new trail he had spotted from the road and which looked good omm Google Earth. We circled round and gingerly entered from the top but alas the execution meant we were a tad high, eventually we joined up with the trail via a steep rocky decent which tested everyone’s nerve. The track then led the group to the Newnham Road.

From here I took the pack through unchartered territory via the pits. Now with lights on we made our way back via the dismantled railway to the road crossing near to Cann woods. At this point we were presented with a large steel gate adorned with a double layer of barbed wire. The engineering prowess of the gates builder was tested to the ‘max’ by the pres as part of it ‘came off in his hand’, there was also some minor nipple trauma to the RM.

At this point the heavens opened. A swift decent through Cann saw the Routmeister’s untimely demise whilst negotiating some low vegetation. It was quickly established there was movement and no assistance was required enabling him to remount his steed and some of the group to pass.

With my rear hub now beginning to seize up a long slog followed up the cycle path with Sam and the Routmeister sprinting away back to HQ. Legs now throbbing a slow ascent up the hill to the road above Clearbrook with the dim lights of HQ now looming.....

Special thanks to Dan for wiping all the mud and crap off the chairs before departing HQ......

Reporter: Alun