Date: Tuesday 20th November 2012
Route: WP, Horrabridge, Walkhampton Inn, Burrator, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Steve T, Steve B, Chris, Alun, Paul, James, Dan, Glen, Paddy.
Depart WP: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 22:05
Distance: 8 miles
Weather: Wet, to say the least.

44 TODAY!

Having put a number of options on the table for my birthday work out seven of The Gentlemen Of Willowby Canoe/Cycling Club rendezvoused at The normal spot in lighter drizzle than had been anticipated. As I had been given clearance to set the route for the evening, there was every chance that the athletes that attended this evening's events would arrive home with MORE calories on board than when they left their respective houses.

So as to ensure that we at least arrived home with some sort of evidence that we had actually been out on our bikes, we set off along the cycle track from Leg O Mutton before breaking left and heading for Long Ash. Before reaching the garden centre (whose Christmas trees are much better than Ferret's and whose coffee shop is excellent) we hung a right and charged down the track behind The Old Station.

We then took a couple of miles of tarmac, starting with a quick downhill through Horrabridge, avoiding small dogs and old age pensioners, before heading up and over Knoll Down. At the peak and with a bit of persuasion from the Meister, and as we were 5-10 mins ahead of schedule, we flew down one of the best toboggan runs in the postcode. As Chris will verify, due to the ever increasing gradient and the volume of H2O running down it, there was absolutely no control what so ever to be had. I was aware that Chris suffered an off, but could do nothing at all to stop and assist.

Across "stepping stones" which were themselves 6-12 inches below the surface, and along the lane before climbing the hill back to the enticing aroma of cheesy chips and very reasonably priced Jail Ale at the thriving Walkhampton Inn. We marched into the hostelry to join Dan, Glen and Paddy and started supping various bargain beers as we waited for the keenly anticipated cheesy chips.

The weather (rain) was one of the main topics of conversation but this was closely followed by age, Christmas jumpers, Christmas parties and The Big Christmas Light Turn On in Walkhampton on Dec 6th, (surprise celebrity is being kept a top secret).

THEY ARRIVED. The cheesy chips arrived, three whopping great bowls of them. Side plates and ramekins of ketchup were also provided and the birthday celebrations were flying. The caliber of the CC's was excellent. Freshly cooked at a high temperature and not too much cheese prevented this fare from collapsing into a congealed mess. Well done Andy (and your kitchen staff), we will be back for more.

Enough was enough and to keep on schedule we needed to sup up, pay up, saddle up and cycle up....to The Burrator. The chat lessened as the slope steepened but before we knew it, we were there. We dropped our expensive chariots on the building site at the rear of the pub and charged into the bar for a swift and well earned pint (well we had just covered nearly 1k). £3.20 for Jail which, although 50p more than the previous public house, was just about acceptable and par for the course.

Paddy ran us through the various actions he and his staff had to take that day to protect "Hambly Towers" from the deluge of flood water that poured from the public and less affluent areas of PL20 and onto his land. It sounded terrifying!

With one eye on the schedule, and birthday cake looming, we once more climbed aboard our trusty steeds, pointed them towards HQ and hit auto pilot. Before we new it, we were in familiar surroundings (and joined by Colin and Gidon), supping familiar ale at familiar (and highly unappreciated) prices. The silver lining in this cloud was the complimentary birthday cake provided by Mrs Allen (my mother, not wife, no offence or slant meant Anne. In fact, thanks very much for my Bradley Wiggins book, Certini Voucher, Toblerone, Bat Man chillin trousers, Gillette travel bag, Top Gear Book and gloves :-) ).

We must also compliment HQ as they didn't charge us corkage for the cake. We even saved the bar staff a slice (which didn't touch the sides). Thank you all for a very enjoyable birthday evening. Given the weather, I think the events proved just right.

C U Next Tuesday!!

Reporter: Paul

Presidents Footnote: Tonight's ride brought back some nostolgic moments for Paddy and Stephen as it was a ride very similar to this which could be considered the moment, just over four years ago, that the GOWCC was born!