Well after last weeks marathon run, I felt it good to run a slower run, especially as I have a couple of mates returning or new to green laning and also a couple of newer TRF members that wanted to come out. (Going to keep this run report briefish as been Weston Beach Race all day, got bloody wet and freezin cold waiting for main race which was red flagged and subsequently cancelled on Lap1 due a a nasty crash involving nearly 20 bikes on the main start/finish stretch. 17 went to hospital, 1 very serious. Good luck whoever you are mate !).
Day started with a phone call from XRBitionist (hereafter called XRBitch, just to keep it short ) stating he had a front puncture and was going to get it fixed at Kenhards. We agreed to keep in touch so he could meet us en-route. So off 5 of us started from my house to meet my friend Nigel at Yealmpton. Started off doing 202-217, which I knew would warm up the new folk -- well didnt see it but my friend Rich decided to climb up the side of the bank, much to the amusement of Geoff closely following with the vid running - watch this space for youtube link. Took a while on this lane and we then moved on. After the next lane we met XRBitch as we crossed the A379, then headed towards Ermington, Ludbrook and out towards Woodleigh. Glad to see the water levels in the lane were getting back to norm, so we had some good fun in the normal places (except -179 which was unusually dry on the soggy mud bit). -205 was a little wetter :
Nigel (1st run after major shoulder op in March)
Rich (on his first off road run ever, after having a WR426 in his garage for 2 years !)
Bonnie (so easy for her, she does it with her eyes closed !!!)
And our trusted TEC - Graham
From there we head of to Wheeldon lanes where we had a quick group shot (except for little ol' me)
Group was doing pretty good at this point, everyone finding their feet, a few badgers to report and a WR426 (Rich's) which kept stalling at the end of every lane. Then off to the dreaded -197 which is 1 big soggy narrow rut. I waited an age at the end of this and eventually XRBitch turned up sweating like a xxxxx. He'd dropped bike and ended up kicking it over about a 100 times to get it to start. This happened a few times thru the day, it ran fine until dropped, then refused to start. 2 options here - (1) Fix problem or easier/cheaper (2) Dont drop bike LOL. We then swept thru Moorleigh without too many problems and then off to Cornworthy. At this point I thought it would be nice for the customers of the Waterman at Bow Bridge to be treated to a stream crossing. Across I went before parking up for another photo shoot. I stood by one of the pub tables and told the customers to watch carefully as we may see some trouts
Geoff crossed 1st without any problem
Followed by Nigel
And the XRBitch man
Well this was going far to well. Next was Corporal Chaos, who despite his posts about being new and slow, was riding pretty well, and never too far behind the front runners. He saw the water crossing and the spectators and he went for it.... got a bit squirrily and then..............kersplash
What a shame I took that photo then and not 1 second later, as he shot out sideways and went 'head first' into the river !! Next shot kind of shows just how wet he got
Despite the bike looking drowned, it was still running ! And he picked it up and got out of the river, to an applause from the watching spectators. Wheely's group enhances trail rider public appreciation
Bonnie went next, determined not to make a clean crossing................when
Luckily it was very shallow there so neither she nor her steed got too wet. Note in the pic above a chilverous Rich riding by whilst she struggles to pick up the bike
But despite the group and audience being apleased by such fun in the water, not everyone was so impressed. This guy just looked plain bored with it all
Anyhoo, the weather was warm so everyone had a good laugh after this, especially Jon (Crpl Chaos) who vowed never to talk to us again
From here we then cut back towards Totnes, but not before XRBitch had another bike wont start session when he again rut dropped on -144 which is a mare when wet. Another 15 minutes of attemting to start before Landyman has a go and starts it 1st time Well done TEC.
Off to Totnes for a late lunch of pasties and pies whilst enjoying the heat of this fine Octobers day. All fed n watered we head off towards Rattery where there was a fair bit of fun and badgering on a very slippery -096. Then finishing with some of the easier lanes at Dean and the final 3 at South Brent.
Off to Ivybridge for a well earned jetwash and to say our goodbyes. Bonnie stated she had a fantastic day and all agreed. Although it was a slower run, everyone did real well, and the newly wetted lanes, covered in leaves to hide the obstacles gave us a small reminder of the joys of winter riding that are just around the corner. Those that were new to riding or returning had an ace time and hopefully I'll get them to join up with TRF in the near future
Til the next time.................
Mark
-- Edited by Fixer on Sunday 11th of October 2009 11:17:42 PM
Fortunately for Jon (Cprl Chaos) unbeknown to me at the time - a failing of the GoPro if I had to name one - the old SD card was full when I thought I was capturing his Tom Daley esq face dive into the river crossing - oh it was a peach . Oh well, another who escapes the video evidence (Phil rolling down Simms being the other so far. We haven't forgotten matey )
) stating he had a front puncture and was going to get it fixed at Kenhards. We agreed to keep in touch so he could meet us en-route. So off 5 of us started from my house to meet my friend Nigel at Yealmpton. Started off doing 202-217, which I knew would warm up the new folk -- well didnt see it but my friend Rich decided to climb up the side of the bank, much to the amusement of Geoff closely following with the vid running 
)
LOL. We then swept thru Moorleigh without too many problems and then off to Cornworthy. At this point I thought it would be nice for the customers of the Waterman at Bow Bridge to be treated to a stream crossing. Across I went before parking up for another photo shoot. I stood by one of the pub tables and told the customers to watch carefully as we may see some trouts 
Well done TEC.