Date: Tuesday 15th January 2013
Route: horrabridge, plaster down, pew tor, pork hill car park, merrivale, old train track, join main road before walkhampton, the rock yelverton.
Riders: Keith, Steve x 2, Martyn, Gidon, Dan, Jude, James + chap who dropped into home at Walkhampton (Alex)
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 22:10
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: Dry, cold, very wet & boggy under tyre

A fragmented start with a late arrival and Keith having to dash home to address a chain issue. We all headed down in 3 separate groups to Keith's house in Horrabridge and set off from there when everyone had caught up. Keith's wife commented as we left that we are all mad going out in this. We all laughed, me nervously thinking did she know more than me, being that it was only my third ride out with the club?

As that comment rattled around my mind wondering what this evening will bring Routemeister Steve lead us up Horrabridge hill to Plasterdown. Lots of small talk and catching up could be heard - some riders back in the saddle for the first time since xmas maybe. A never ending hill it seemed, that sucks the will out of you, it was to set the tone for things to come. Deciding to come off the road at the earliest opportunity we made our way over Plasterdown through saturated, muddy ground.

Dan picked up a puncture at the foot of Pew Tor then set the record for the longest repair ever.... It was cold, dark and very muddy mind. I noticed no one really helped other than to point a head light at the wheel being repaired but I then thought it is a one man job anyway. As the waiting riders were beginning to get restless Dan was back up and running and we were off again traversing Pew Tor and then heading north up to Pork Hill car park. A Very muddy and boggy patch below Pew Tor saw most riders feet down, and for the first time in the evening wet set in.

An energy sapping limb to the top of Pork Hill was preceded by a fast flowing section following the road to merrivale. Then cut across country through a river (most made it through unhindered) then up a slow boggy hill to the old railway track. I noticed Dan up ahead of me made it all the way clipped in - a good effort, but one I couldn't replicate as I pushed up from about halfway. Seems quite tricky on flats in these conditions and now I could start to see why most riders in the club are clipped in! A pleasing thrash down the track and then road back home to the Rock Inn where 8 of us discussed the evenings ride.

Reporter: Jude Whitford from the sunny and hot Maldives

President's Footnote: Thank you to everyone for picking me up en route, especially the Meister who repaired my chain after my pathetic effort ended in a broken chain tool!!