Well what can I say, we started at Brixton garage full of fuel and ready to go, the weather was damp and it had been raining all night so I was expecting plenty of badgers , first lane was 202-217 then on to 230, 231, 224, 225, 208, 193, 194, 195, 196, 209, 210, at this point we came across a group of four lanes 219, 220,221 & 222, I usually ride only two but Steve offered to lead us around all four, nice one Steve, (at this point still no badgers or moments of any kind) .
Then I resumed my post as leader and on the way to the next lane Danny was attacked by a wild animal, well actually he was stung in the head by a wasp, very painful looking but Danny wanted to carry on, the next lane was 202 - 236, 238, 223 and then 212 if any lane lane was going to cause havoc it would be this one with the small puddle at the top , but no, everyone made it through with ease, then it was on to 205, 204 at this point we stopped for fuel and a bite to eat at Totnes Cross.
Then it was Lazychubbs turn take roll as leader and took us along a couple of lanes around there (I'm not sure of the lane numbers), cheers Lazy.
I then resumed my post as run leader again and it on to 202 - 198, 176, 149, 148, 305, 141, I thought that the small puddle in 202 - 142 would catch someone out , but no we all cleared it with ease, so then did 202 -131 (still no badgers or moments) .
This was the point of the day when Steve took over a run leader and took us through some lanes heading towards Buckfastleigh, I'm not sure of the lane numbers but I feel sure he will be on at some point to give a little more detail.
We parted company with steve after riding 202 -085 as he had picked up a slow flat and decided it was time to start heading home, cheers again Steve.
so the three of us decided to ride down and then back up 202 - 086, Danny got stuck just before the entrance into the field, I had better luck but then came off once in the field, Lazy cleaned it.
We then did 202 - 085 again, Danny had a good badger but no witnesses or cameras, once again he wanted to push on, so we then did 202 - 084 at which point Lazy took on roll as Leader again, not sure of the lane numbers from then on but we ended up doing 202 - 172, 171, 179, 306 (downwards), 196, 195, 194 & finally 193.
All in all it was a cracking day with superb company and for me the first run of many as a run leader.
Cheers Guy's and please don't forget to PM me either you TRF membership numbers or your name and approximate address.
Nice one Gripper. Thanks for a top day buddy. My head is still stinging from that bloody wasp (that's if it was a wasp-not sure, never saw it). And my ankle is still hurting from that bloody badger.
It would have looked great on film, as I was kinda layed over the top of bike with my ankle bent and traped between bike and wall. Ouch!!!
Some really wet lanes out there today. Hard work at times lol
Its early day's yet, but I did enjoy leading the run today, I'm planning on posting more rides from now on and your more than welcome to join me anytime.
lol, cheers Kev, the lane numbers have only stuck through hours of looking at memory map printouts, and trying to work out where I am and where I have to go, lol, I think I will invest in a garmin next.
Cheers, Justin.
-- Edited by Gripper on Monday 26th of September 2011 07:43:36 PM
lol, cheers Kev, the lane numbers have only stuck through hours of looking at memory map printouts, and trying to work out where I am and where I have to go, lol, I think I will invest in a garmin next.
Cheers, Justin.
-- Edited by Gripper on Monday 26th of September 2011 07:43:36 PM
A Garmin would make like easier Justin, but I would encourage you to do a good few runs using paper maps first. I actually did this for a couple of years first and you can get very proficient at it (reading maps on the move etc) and helps you get a brilliant knowledge of the whole area(s) you ride in. Then when your comfortable with this move onto a Garmin/Road Angel etc and this will make life easier but you'll still have a good knowledge foundation and, should the electronics fail, you'll have this information to fall back on.
I know some that have used a Garmin since day dot, and although capable run leaders, they rarely have a clue where they are - other than keeping to the purple route-line.
Keep up the run leading - your choices are many from Plymouth (but not as many as I now have from Torbay region ).
Sounds good Mark, thanks for the advice, I will perserver with the paper maps for now and maybe look at moving on to a garmin/RA in the future, what you have said makes sence, cheers.
Despite the group being obviously camera shy, I did manage to get a couple of pic's that came out well enough to post.
Danny getting himself started again after his off at Dean.
Danny having a rest and Lazzychubbs looking very proud of himself as he was the only one to clean the climb into the field (well done).
Well done Justin, sounds like you did a great job as run leader and gave the other guys a day to remember. Me and Martin will have to join you on a ride in Devon soon.
Yeh Kev it is real boggy at the bottom and with the weather as had recently it didn't seem to get any better the higher we got, I remember Wheely taking me up this one on my very first crack at laning (thanks Wheely), fortunately for me Geoff offered to take my bike over the tricky bit.
Thanks for your comments Peter & Neil, I have still got a lot to learn but would love to become a regular run leader for the Plymouth area.
, first lane was 202-217 then on to 230, 231, 224, 225, 208, 193, 194, 195, 196, 209, 210, at this point we came across a group of four lanes 219, 220,221 & 222, I usually ride only two but Steve offered to lead us around all four, nice one Steve, (at this point still no badgers or moments of any kind) 
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