Date: Tuesday
27th November 2012
Route: WP, Yennadon, Leather Tor Bridge, Boneshaker,
Nun's Cross, Scout Hut, Earthquake, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Greg, Martyn, Paul,
James & Paddy.
Depart WP: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 22:05
Distance: 16 miles
Weather: OK. Cold, and very wet & soggy under
tyre!
I can't really remember much about this one writing the report a fortnight
after the event or, indeed, the team. Dementia seems to be setting in
but then.......
There was a lack of Routemeister, or route provided by Routemeister which
often leads to lemming like confusion in Willowby. Tonight was no different.
Colin offered his advice from his bedroom window which was obviously
swiftly ignored (get your brakes mended!!).
So off through Yelvy and up Lake Lane at the usual breakneck (break Paddy)
pace led at speed by Greg. Time to gather one breath and then onward
up a soggy and leg sapping Yennadon to Lowery Cross where Paul sensibly
suggested we re-visit last weeks ride (W'ton Inn, Burrator Inn, HQ) and
very nearly swayed opinion (more courage in your convictions, please
Paul!!!) until Greg once again disappeared into the night. Along the
upper Burrator Road to Shaggers Van which has re-appeeared in a delightful
Navy Blue then along to the leat. Conflab and then downhill to Leather
Tor Bridge. With spirit flagging and rumblings amongst the troops up
Greg headed towards the Boneshaker. (Paddy, you forgot Greg took us down
to Norsworthy first)!
Surely mutiny was on the cards. Tired old men thinking of a nice warm
pub with proper local ale.....and up Boneshaker we went. Not the Boneshaker
of old but still a decent exercise with plenty of it getting washed away
into the valley. An attempt at powering up a washed away section at the
bridge over the stream 2/3 of the way up, snapped my front wheel 120
degrees to the right and left me flat on my back. With customary Gentlemanly
relish and sympathy James commented “I hadn't bloody dabbed until
then”!!!
A brief gather of breath at the top and then off down the motorway to
Nuns Cross, up the rise and then across the top to Eylesbarrow. A brief
gathering and then rattle down to the Scout Hut, down the roads to Earthquake
where everyone found muddy ground and speed a difficult combination to
deal with as front wheels gently slide away from you.
Meavy and then the gentle haul up to Yelvy and a well earned testing
of the Sponsors product!! MMMmmm, mmmmmmmm. Jail is good after a ride!!
Reporter: Paddy
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