Date: Tuesday 20th March 2012
Route: Lake, Yennadon, dismantled railway Routrundle, Kings Tor, Standing Stone, Merrivale, Pew Tour, Plaster Down, Sampford Spiney, Walkhampton HQ
Riders: Colin, James, Sam, Julian, Keith, Steve B, Gidon.
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 10:00
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: 8dC - Low wind.

The last weeks ride before BST….. "we'll be setting off in the light next week" was the early comment and the lead to a number of discussions. Well this week it was definitely dark. Without the Routemeister, who was on the recovery slope from a nasty bout of 'Man Flu', we decided to take a less pressurised route and pace.

From WP we headed on a well worn track/road to Lake, Yennadon and Lowery Cross. The decision was taken to follow the 'dismantled' railway to King's Tor so we had to cross the B3212 at the 'dismantled' bridge. There were mutterings, chiefly from James - "I hate this bit"… "I'm cr@p at slight inclines" and "My brakes are rubbing, like Fatimas inner thighs" (actually he didn't quite use the similie but the ride was pretty featureless tonight and Keith advised me to spice things up a bit). Anyhow Fatima.....corrr. Ahem back to business, so with this positive attitude James not surprisingly slipped off the back of express train. I had no such excuse - I joined him - we chuffed up like Rosie & Skarloey.

Routrundle cross passed as did the dark silhouettes of Ingra Tor and Swelltor Quarries. Up we climbed until we just rounded the King's Tor Loop. Now we were to drop off into the valley and cross one of the Walkham feeder streams on route to Merrivale via the Standing Stone. Julian and James - now happier in this downhill environment charged down it. I was still last!

From the intersection with the B3357 North of the bridge at Merrivale we sucked our bellies in; zipped up tight; pinned back our ears and blasted through the dip past the pub and up the other side. With my weight aiding momentum, I was able to loose the last man tag for a while. Steve and Sam raced ahead.

We temporarily lost Sam as we traversed the slopes of Feather Tor towards Pew Tor. The moorland had purposely been subjected to a 'scorching'. We did our own version of burning a track as we descended towards Plaster Down - here, we regrouped with the scorching slippery Sam on slicks. (try saying that fast!)

It was then just a case of blast for HQ. Some blasted quicker than others.... James and I didn't quite manage a blast - more a pop. When we arrived the boys - preceded by Dan were well into their pints. Unfortunately for us, there was no 'Jail' either... we were 'Doomed'.

An enjoyable ride though..... can't wait for BST, the Routemeister.....bring it on!?**!

Reporter: Colin

President's Footnote: A first tonight, thanks to Colin leading us around Pew Tor at a leisurely pace, we actually had a six man off road peloton!!!