Date: Tuesday 25th June 2013
Route: WP, Yennadon, Keith's Bridge, Norsworthy, Handrail, inside dam, hill beside dam, Meavy, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Gidon, Nick, Neil, James & Martyn
Depart: 19:45
Arrive WI: 21:30
Distance: 11 miles
Weather: Overcast but otherwise perfect

I've never known a night like it!

This evening was strange. Apart from non-attendance excuses ranging from gents admitting to having gambling problems to letting their wives attend choir practice, we also saw a new branch of the GOWCC formed, the Gentlemen of Willowby Canoeing Club, or perhaps the GOWKC (Kayak Club) and I also felt like I'd traveled in time!!

As I turned into WP it felt like the clock had been turned back, for there waiting was Nick and Neil (at 7:30pm please note!). Nick was last out thirteen months ago and Neil last came out around the time his son was born, two years ago!! It was a pleasant surprise and with Paddy promising to make his first appearance of the year, it was looking more like a gentleman's reunion that a regular Tuesday ride.

Then my phone blew its horn (my ring tone), it was Paddy texting - "In Walk'ton, brakes stuck on & chain broken......no, really!!!!! So after cycling into some granite at speed and going over the handlebars in Sunday's Dartmoor Classic, Paddy is now the not-so-proud owner of two broken bikes! (Paddy, try 01822 258022)!

The pre-ride emails meant a gentle ride was in the offing and so it turned out. Having picked up James at the shops, we did a short circumnavigation of Burrator. This was a proper Gentleman's ride, easy pace, lots of stops, lots of admiring the scenery and lots of chatting. Not a lot more to report on the ride, except for James taking us down a new track (for me) beside the dam to the river Meavy.

Also unusually, we drank our beer outside HQ. As well as the riders, we were joined by three drinkers, Sam, Greg and Stephen, four from the GOWKC, Steve, Colin and Paul (and Rob who isn't a member of the GOWCC and probably never will be) and Fraser, who had finished his shift at The Oak. The result, the biggest bar bill of the year!!

Reporter: Keith