Date: Tuesday 10th June 2014
Route: WP, Dwarf's Run, Grenofen Bridge, Double Waters, B**tard Hill, Long Ash, HQ.
Riders: Jude, Keith, Sam, Gidon, Colin, Gary & Lawrance
Depart WP: 19:40
Arrive HQ: 22:00
Distance: 10ish miles
Weather: Very Good

After last weeks Sheeptor scramble, it was a case of back to basics and the familiar Walkham valley ride. A plan was quickly hatched before Rob arrived and so onward then to Horrabridge. Playground, inside the fence where the going was firm/good after at least a couple of dry days. The first of our hold-ups here as new boy Lawrence punctured, we can only put it down to poor technique.

After a while the group reconvened at the end of Station road and headed up on t'moor heading north. There was a time when we struggled to find entry to Dwarfs run but now it seems to beckon the gents.

As always it is a challenge to negotiate the roots on the early section and progress was pretty slow. Arriving at the single track leading to Grenefon bridge someone decided on a deviation from the established route.....

Gary and I went on ahead to check there were no new obstacles as it must be a year or more since an official Tuesday outing took in this section. On the left of the main rocky track to the bridge there seemed to be a few trees down but nothing to force you off the bike. Jude did however take a tumble "not carrying enough speed" he went over the bars, face planting just behind Gidon. Colin to the rescue with one of his energy pouches because faller was seeing stars.

Again all riders gathered and decided on the bridal path beside the Walkham, heading down stream, again the usual mud had all but dried up. At the fork at the top of the hill there was a split in the group, some taking in Julian's loop while the the others headed back down to the river for a rendezvous at double waters. Bastard hill, stopping briefly to admire the view at the top, at this point Lawrence chirped up "amazing, we've only done 7 miles". If you've got nothing good to say.......

Heading down then through the woods, cross moor to Long ash and then the usual trundle across the lower airfield to HQ. No one mentioned total distance or height climbed as is usually the case when pints have been ordered, funny that. We did however find out a few interesting facts as Lawrence got a bit loose lipped. The 'face of Plymouth' a male model in our midst! His next gig - on the podium at the Classic in 2 weeks time!

Reporter: Sam

President's Footnote: It was good and proper of Sam not to rub salt into Jude's wounds and also mention his tumble down the steep bank (after the barking dogs house)! He must be the first person ever to fall down there and we will put that down to the earlier bang on the head!

And it's good to have some young blood joining us, I think when Lawrance is out it gets the average age back down under 50!