Gentlemen of Willowby Cycle Club
No hill too steep, no beer too dear!

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

<<Previous ride


November 2012

  Date Route
  WP, Earthquake, Dittsworthy Warren, Eylesbarrow, Nun’s cross, Boneshaker, Burrator, Greg’s Leat, Meavy, HQ.
  WP, Clearbrook, Diner, Golf Club, Rock, Long Ash, Double Waters, HQ.
  WP, Horrabridge, Walkhampton Inn, Burrator, HQ.
  WP, Yennadon, Leather Tor Bridge, Boneshaker, Nun's Cross, Scout Hut, Earthquake, HQ.