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Pickering

Another broken record for the mountain Biking section!

Liz had 7 men out with her, beating her previous record of riding with 6 men in one go! I'm beginning to wonder why rarely any women come out on my rides??

We began out on what was promised to be a good Sept day's forecast. Very few of the die-hard regulars turned up and we had 2 newcomers, but 8 was a very sensible number. Luckily I didn't need to give out SOC leaflets (I forgot them), because the newcomers were members already (or that's what I'll tell Dave anyway!). So Mike, Andy x 2, Kevin, Ed, Grant, Liz and Steve (minus helmet! Whoops! Not the best person not to be wearing a helmet, knowing his track record!) set off quite happily.

A narrow overgrown path led us up to the path over farmland on the search for the North Yorks Moors steam train.

No sooner had we just begun to ride freely when we were shot at! On further investigation we discovered that Mike's tyre had exploded taking with it part of the rim, or perhaps that had broken first. He was annoyed as had only fitted those new tyres before setting out in the morning. So Liz lost 1 man far too soon, poor Mike had to carry his bike down the hill again.

We had our first food break when we stopped and picked lots of gorgeous blackberries.

The riding was going very well, until we reached the muddy path through the woods that was to lead us into Cropton Forest. We caught our first sight of the train too. Steve said he felt quite scared on the path without a helmet. We then climbed out of the forest so that Liz could lead them back down over the moors and down the same muddy path. The men didn't understand at first, but then realised why as the stony moor path was enjoyed by all. We returned down the muddy wooded path, but first of all we lost 2 further men as they had to be home sooner than they had expected.

That left 5. Despite knowing the extent of the mud problems Kev and Steve did come off their bikes this time; luckily Steve saved himself from falling and hitting his helmet-less head, but Kev was covered in mud taking 2 flights, and later discovering he'd damaged his derailer.

This time we climbed up the road out of the forest crossing the railway. The men were hoping Liz's hunch of a tea-shop was correct, but alas, no sightings yet! They were surprised to be on one of her rides without at least 2 tea stops; but Liz is serious about losing weight to fit into her wedding dress! We rode down a bridle-way along side the railway track that was very rutted, but good fun none the less; that was until we hit serious, thick mud every few yards.

This continued for quite some way, but there was a stream to wash it all off at the end which we just had to successfully get across as 2 lads on their bikes, aged about 4 and 7, had just crossed in front of us! There was also a tea garden that sold very reasonable tea and cake; and they were happy to oblige Liz with toast instead. (She really is serious). We were also pleased to see a steam train pass as we rested. The last climb of the day came after Steve fooled folk into riding across another shallow stream which actually rose to their hubs!

We returned along the same track across farmland and sped down the last overgrown path to the finish. The sun had come out and everyone enjoyed the ride, without too many mishaps. Thanks lads for breaking my record.

Liz Copsey

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003