Date: Tuesday 21st May 2013
Route: WP, Huckworthy, Pew Tor, Pork Hill CP, Merrivale, Standing Stones, Railway, Yennadon, HQ.
Riders: James, Gidon, Keith, Colin, Dan & Jude. (Roadies: Greg & Rob)
Depart: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 22:00
Distance: 16 miles
Elevation:
Weather: As good as it gets

One week in Mountain Biking is a long time

What a contrast from last week to this, from the worst weather I've ever cycled in to a perfect evening of stunning views and the longest sunset I can ever remember! As the gents rolled up, Jude appeared on what we all thought was a new bike, turned out it was his old one but clean! I disturbed the Meister from his marking (of course work, not painting new white lines at the shops!!) and picked up the last club jersey, presented it to Jude and welcomed him to our exclusive club. He wanted to break it in gently so it spent its first ride in Dan's backpack!

The phones were hot tonight with a few gents wanting to get out but running late. This did delay progress somewhat and I think that we need to insert a new rule of 'no communication after 7:45pm (unless lost)'! Maybe the time has come to get ourselves sorted out with our Buddy Beacons, could speed up play.

Anyway, we progressed to the top of Pew Tor which was a good place to stop, take in the views and make telephone calls! Dan lead us off towards Cox Tor, followed by Gidon, then me. As they went down two rather large drops I was thinking "I wouldn't be doing this without seeing someone doing it in front", then on the third one I went over the handlebars! I really should know better by now. As I picked myself up checking how much my ribs were hurting, I noticed that Colin was doing likewise behind me!

As we regrouped by Feather Tor, I saw blood dripping from a cut in Colin's nose. His helmet had caught his glasses and dug into the bridge of his nose. Luckily(!) I had some plasters which I'd put in when I took my six-year-old out on Drake's Trail a few weeks ago. I had no idea how small they were and when I went to stem the flood, the other four found it all rather amusing to the point where I couldn't stop laughing which caused me far more discomfort in my ribs than Colin had in his nose!!

We pedalled on through the wind to the B3357 and after checking watches decided to continue along the road until just past Merrivale. Up through the stone row and it's so much easier to know which way to go in day light. Over the stream and up to the old railway on King's Tor. This provided another opportunity for the Gentleman of Willowby Camera Club to get some pictures in the can, or more precisely into the iPhones! (See the results below).

We took the easy option of railway all the way to Lowery Cross (apart from Colin) then a quick blast across Yennadon with the last drops of daylight and the benefit of a three quarter moon. On to Woodman's Corner which now seems to signal the start of our weekly event, the race to the top of Binkham Hill. With Colin's early departure the field was wide open and despite a brave attempt to take it all the way from the front, Gidon was passed by Dan at the 30mph sign, then also by James who had come from last to second but couldn't quite catch Dan!

We were joined by Paul at HQ who was out on his bike, he'd done at least two miles, but put a claim in for a few more! The Meister joined us as well just as the two roadies Greg and Rob turned up. We had a very sociable hour or so where I discovered the differences paid by wives for hair cuts! These ranged from zero to £45!! It would be wrong to divulge which wives paid what, but the Meister did say "it was the best £45 ever spent"!!!!!

Reporter: Keith

Riders: Rob, Greg
Route: Yelverton, Tavistock, Gunnislake, Callington, Saltash, The Hoe, Plym Valley. HQ
Distance: 43 miles 16.2mph average

While out on a ride with Rob McDermott
I can't find anything to rhyme with McDermott
(except McDermott)

Reporter - Greg