Date: Tuesday 5th March 2013
Route: WP, Horrabridge, Long Ash, Double Waters, West Down, Grenofen Bridge, New Viaduct, Long Ash, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Dan, Paul, James and Gidon
Depart WP: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 21:29
Distance: 10 miles
Weather: Perfect, fast ground.

Mau Utd v Real Madrid, José Mourinho said the whole world would be watching, conservative estimates said that actually 200,000,000 did watch it, but eight riders of the GOWCC preferred to get out on their bikes! Now that the ground had dried out three gents decided they'd rather take their road bikes out! We waved goodbye to the Meister, Greg and Colin, happy in the knowledge that our ride would probably be more gentlemanly!

Gidon suggested double waters. I set off leading and nearly caused a pile-up before Leg 'O' Mutton! The route to Horrabridge was quick but the deep ruts were now solid with the bottom of the dips still boggy, it nearly caught me out more than once. As Paul headed home towards the old station we took a quick left up the track but didn't manage to lose him.

Going across Long Ash we bumped into some fellow riders, a group of Rockin' Bikers. There was a suspicion that a Gentleman of Willowby was amongst them, but it was dark and we didn't spot the famous colours!

I tried to find the track that runs down next to Bast**d Hill, but only found a bramble forest! Over the Walkham then half way up Julian's loop and a sharp right up the hill. Up again from Grenofen Bridge to the new viaduct then more up over the railway bridge for what seemed an endless climb all the way to HQ.

We arrived at HQ in good time for a relaxing pint or two. The roadies were some 30 minutes later having done a couple of miles more. Colin looked like he'd wished he'd rather have gone off-road!

At H.Q. there were regrets that Sunday's road ride had lost David after just a couple of miles. But it should be stated that the rumour that he was spotted at Graham's Grub-Up are unconfirmed!

Jude's new clips had caused much chuckling in the ranks last week as well as a certain amount of fear when we'd stopped and he approached from behind!! Now I'm sure we all have embarrassing stories of our first encounter with clips, the Meister recounted his first try out in his garden. He couldn't get unclipped and went around and around in a circle for two days! I started by falling over three times before leaving Yelverton and then got ultra cautious and would unclip nice and early. On one occasion this was my undoing when I inadvertently got clipped back in without realizing with the predicable result!!

Reporter: Keith