Date: Tuesdays January & February 2015
Route: Burrator, Princetown, Pipeline, Hartor, Double Waters
Riders: Double figures every night
Distance: 12 miles average
Weather: Wintry, but we've had it all apart from rain!

Tuesday 6th January
The first ride of the new year and on a moonlit evening 11 tuned up for action. We had an early split in the woods at Lowery Cross. I followed Alun and Paul, passed Paul half way down then waited at the end but all was dark! Eventually a light appeared and Paul had suffered a slippery off with his handlebar coming dangerously close to his b*****ks as he fell. As we regrouped the decision was made for Alun and me to escort Paul back to his van. Paul went straight home to show his wife his impressive swelling!!

Tuesday 13th January
Eventful, unforgettable, snow, lightening, gale force winds, sub zero temperatures, frost bite, frozen faces, you name it we had it! Dan is doing a full report for this ride, it must be a big one as it's taking so long to arrive!

Tuesday 20th January
This turned out to be a record turnout. We did have 18 for the anniversary social ride and we once before had 12 for a ride, but on that occasion I had coerced somewhat and threatened to fine those that didn't come out! So for a normal Tuesday ride, this was a record.

James was having trouble with a jockey wheel so we thought we'd check the validity and within minutes eleven men in helmets and balaclavas lit up Langton Court. The curtains were twitching and I wouldn't be surprised if Steve B got a call!! I think this is good practice and we should roll up at the houses of other gents to check on their well being! The ride was just around Burrator, wet but fun.

Tuesday 27th January
We welcomed another builder tonight, Matt is a colleague of Pete and also works for Jonathan Case. We headed for the bottom of the pipeline, had an early split by the new Clearbrook ramp then waited for ages to regroup. Turned out Simon had a puncture and being the only 29er out couldn't get it fixed. Dan met up on his way home (from yet another meeting) and went back to HQ with Simon. Pipeline was what it always is, not for the faint hearted! I did bottle out often and actually managed to fall down the bank when pushing my bike!!

Back at HQ we joined up with Dan and Simon and I think this could be the first time that someone has drunk more pints than ridden miles, good effort Simon, Paddy would be very jealous!!

Tuesday 3rd February
Another cold night and the snow was still on the high ground. We warmed up nicely by going up Earthquake in the snow then went into Ringmoor Down and even deeper snow. A few shadowy figures with rifles were playing war games and we lost Sam as he was too fast for us!

We decided against going higher as the conditions weren't good for man or bike so we cut over to Burrator. At the top of Deancombe the best efforts of Sam, Gidon and mainly James meant that I was able with the addition of some zip ties to get back to HQ with a broken rear derailleur!

Tuesday 10th February
We headed down for a change to the balmy climes of Double Waters. We got there by Dwarf's Run, not unlike the Pipeline but far longer with more roots. We turned for HQ by going through "The Crack", ten gents and their equipment, it was a tight fit!

Tuesday 17th February
In good but quite chilly conditions we set off for the Scout Hut then carried on up to the Plym Pool turn off and I managed to find Higher Hartor Tor with remarkable ease. We took in the clear views to Plymouth and Cornwall then set off for the stone row and next I managed to find the bog with ease! Next time we need to go low, not high! We then did an unintentional clockwise circuit of Ringmoor Down and got back to HQ well after ten.

Reporter: Keith