This weeks night ride will be starting at 19:30 from Burrington Combe, from a bus stop called “Blagdon Car Park (NE Bound)”.
Click here for a map.
It’s about 45 mins away from the usual start point, hence the later start time, and the ride should take about 1.5-2 hrs.
See you there….
Pretty pretty…
18:41: Arrive at Horse and Groom, due to bad parking there are far fewer spaces than there should be. Fit lights.
18:44: Al arrives.
18:51: Al leaves – he’s forgotten his shoes.
19:07: We set off, Simon tries to hitch a lift from Marjory on the first hill.
19:12: Sheppard’s Woods, the trails are bone dry and bluebells are everywhere.
19:40: Al returns to the group, with shoes.
19:45: Reach the Allotment, most of the group ride BBMS, Mark rides 143 in full for the first time, then begins planning for his imminent DH bike purchase.
20:08: Singletrack down to Center Parcs, skids and hops off mounds are the order of the day.
20:19: Fast descent down to Shearwater. Attempts to force Chris off and overtake him are futile.
20:43: Chris leads us into Singletrack that is cut short by felled trees, we abuse him then continue.
20:51: Finally dark when in the trees, nearly crash when I completely fail to notice the final large sleeping policeman.
21:00: Sprint down Longleat drive.
21:03: Still recovering from sprint down drive.
21:08: Final section of off road in Sheppard’s woods, it is now pitch black which makes a simple descent much more challenging and a steep slog just as tiring.
21:15: Return to the pub, throw bike in car, enjoy pint of Landlord, good chat.
22:45: Bedtime.
14 people made it out on Tuesday, we were lucky enough to have (mostly) dry trails and yet more light (anyone would think the days are getting longer)!
We took a few different options to normal and so made it back to the pub a little later than planned, but still got to devour plenty of chips, cider and beer as reward for our efforts.
Paul managed to do a “180 mud slide to face plant” in the final stages, popping his pedal bike crash cherry (he’s more used to his 144 KTM than his Pitch Pro) but saw the funny side. His left side – caked in mud!
One newbie was quoted as saying “that was the best ride ever!” whilst others commented on my “evil route”, either way everybody seemed happy and eager for next Tuesdays Night Rider. ….
