Date: Tuesday 30th October 2012
Route: WP, Earthquake, Ringmoor Down, Ringmoor Down, Ringmoor Down, Ditsworthy Warren, Drizzlecombe, (Halfman to HQ), Nun's Cross, Boneshaker, Yennadon, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Alex, Colin, Sam, Paul & Mark.
Depart: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 22:05 & 22:30
Distance: 12 - 14 miles
Weather: VERY wet under wheel

LOST?

James had helpfully suggested a route in his absence which in it’s entirety would have been somewhere in the region of 30 miles or so. We decided to at least try the first third and take it from there.

Off to Meavy, the ford and Earthquake. Alex and Mark (his mate from Bristol) set the early pace, making short work of the climb to Ringmoor cottage. The ground was not nearly as difficult as is often the case after a prolonged wet weather. This was the reason I suggested that we take a misguided diversion from James’ planned route. Talking the reluctant gents into heading over Ringmoor Down to Gutter tor, rather than head to the scout hut by road.

It was soon obvious that this was a bad decision as the terrain was very difficult, boggy and very soft under tyre. To compound this, I also led the group way off to the right and toward the river, silly boy. I was now feeling like I was letting the side down and in particular our guest rider Mark.

After waiting and discussing our predicament with the group, I was now looking to take more of a back seat and hoping someone else could shoulder the responsibility. It was probably an hour or so that we trudged our way around Wigford down, discovering a place I have since learnt is called Legis Mire. The heart jumped, as up ahead there were lights and human activity. We reached the trig point in time for the Dartmoor rescue group to mumble a few words and trudge away.

As we gathered at the trig point we had one of those conversations that are unexpected three miles from home, where the f**k are we. I shouted him down but the President was proved right when we proceeded another 50 yards and 90 minutes later than intended happened upon Gutter Tor! Picking our way down the hill toward Ditsworthy Warren house, the majority of gents had made up their minds that they had had enough, who could blame them?

So at Eylesbarrow, a split, as the main group headed for HQ, leaving just Alex, Mark and I to head for Nun's Cross. The whole section was very washed out and quite challenging, a deep rut running most of the way past Nun’s x. Alex and Mark bombed down the Boneshaker and waited for me as I gingerly made my way down. Leather tor bridge, shaggers, Yennadon down and home. I decided to stay away from the pub as I had forgotten the ‘plastic’ and after the navigational faux pas, no one was likely to be offering me a drink. I will keep my mouth shut next time.

Reporter: Sam

President's Footnote: It did take a long time to get nowhere and it was quicker to walk than ride at times, but a ride that was none-the-less enjoyable and it was interesting to find a bit of undiscovered Dartmoor!! Colin was starting to lose the will to cycle and I had to snap him out of it. Not what you'd expect from a Founder Member, but at least he was out!