Date: Tuesday 1st January 2013
Route: Meavy, through woods to Dam, shaggers, keith's/paul's bridge, leather tor bridge, boneshaker, norsworthy, round reservoir through woods. Cycle track up to Yennadon, across and down to BI.
Riders:Dan, Jude (Dan's mate), Paul, Alun
Depart WP: 18:00
Arrive Burrator Inn: 20:00
Distance: 8 miles
Weather: chilly and wet under tyre

WP was in darkness as we assembled for a 6pm start. Only the bulging black bin liners on the pavement outside the WP residences offering some minor navigational challenges. I assumed position as RM and lead the four off down to Meavy. (RM – hope the antibiotics have cleared things up).

Small talk was kept to a minimum, as all puffed / grunted / swore / pushed bikes through the mud up to the Dam. Around dam and cut through woods up to shaggers van (not present), following the leat along to keith/ Paul's (whoevers bridge). A short stop ensued to admire Dan's new bright orange jacket (from mummy) and new space age light enhancing shades (very cool).

We descended towards leather tor bridge turning sharp left up onto the boneshaker, turning right and a fast descent back down to Norsworthy bridge. At the bridge we all remarked how much we had enjoyed the descent. I commented “it would of bloody hurt if I had come off”.......Dan commented “Glad I didn’t come off, I would have ripped my new jacket..!!”

We decided to go through the woods next to the reservoir, all successfully negotiated the first tricky rooty section. Whilst negotiating a fallen tree a dull thud and expletives was heard from behind, Paul had performed a textbook stationary dismount and even managed to keep both feet perfectly in the pedals.

Exiting the woods, we added a section of the old railway up to Yennadon. We descended diagonally dropping into the top of iron mine lane. Debrief and feedback session was held in the Burrator Inn.

Nuff Said!!

Happy new year

Reporter: Alun
President's Footnote: Having seen Alun's consistent performance over wet roots, he is 'The Rootmeister!