Dates: Tuesday 13th, 20th & 27th May 2014

Tuesday 13th: Reunion ride. Didn't get the response I'd hoped for, but Paul was back out on his bike and we did get to see Alun and James at HQ.

We also welcomed back Simon (not Dunlop) who did come out once before a few years ago. The plan was for a gentle route and we started off heading down to Meavy then up to Burrator. We regrouped by the dam and had to inspect Paul's eye. It was swollen and causing some discomfort but he battled on to the Handrail.

At the start of the Handrail Rob snapped his chain so we had the chance to enjoy the beautiful evening's weather and chat. At the other end Paul decided the reunion was over and turned for home! We carried on towards the aqueduct where it was Sam's turn to suffer a breakdown, this one more serious with part of his rear derailleur snapping. This offered most of us the chance to relax, chat again and watch the moon come up.

After a short while Sam was mobile again with half a chain and a single speed. We both turned for HQ as the others went up Black Tor. When we got to Dousland I didn't realise that Sam only had a granny ring so I had to wait then towed him along! It wasn't long before we had the biggest group around the committee table for a long time with Colin and Stephen arriving after a a road ride and Alun and James joining us after both had worked late. Paul also made it up after his wife had dug out a small bird from the side of his eye.

Tuesday 20th: Walkhampton Inn start and finish. Another glorious May evening but only five partaking. We soon warmed up going through Huckworthy then off to Pew Tor. Dan got a call from Jude who had cut a meeting short in London and just got of the train in Plymouth. By the time we got to Pork Hill, Jude's wagon was there with man and bike itching to go!! Jude could teach a lot of you about how to priorities a Tuesday evening's activities!!

We went over the Staple Tor saddle, stopping at the top to admire the view and record the moment for posterity (see below). It was all quite mundane until going down the other side when Paul planted his front wheel behind a big lump of granite with the predictable result!

We got back to Walkhampton via Badger Alley, remarkably the first time Gary had been down here. We tucked into our free chips as we supped our beer. Perfect evening.

Tuesday 27th: We welcomed another new gent this evening, Lawrence, a local man (should say boy really given that he's half my age) who lives in Plymouth but grew up here and seems to know more locals than the rest of us put together!

Another cracking May evening put Great Mis Tor into Sam's head. Mind you, he also had Yennadon, Norsworthy, Keith's bridge and the rescue car park in there as well!! With sunset at 9:13pm this was a big ask even if we'd all been at our best. The tail end of my man flu meant this was beyond me. As I got to the Kings Tor drop off I was ready to head for home, but with the rest cracking on I dropped down to the stream and inadvertently decided now was the right time to give my bike a full clean!!

I did now turn for home, back down the railway with Colin as company. The others aborted Great Mis and came back via the Short Cut. Colin and I stopped a few tines to take in the spectacular views. I did go straight home to have a warming shower then drove up to the pub. We'll leave Great Mis Tor until another evening soon, I will be leading the more direct route though!

Reporter: Keith