Monthly Archives: May 2017

Clean Round Mania

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The book of excuses went to a new volume today with chapters like..

Have you seen the forecast? Robbie
Its going to lash . Robbie
I would have done that except you stopped in front of me .Liz
My heart rate was too high. COC
I have to go and get the dry cleaning. Robbie
I think I have something to do but I can’t remember what it was. Rowan
My knee is hurty again .Liz

With the Fondo looming , Mr Stewart and Murray had absented themselves for the delights of the road .No note had been received and Kenny has it in his book.
However said forecast never happened ,it was warm and dry all morning bar a brief shower which left some of the rocks on the trails like ice , causing Doc Lewis some momentary consternation.

Route started with Giants pad , second right , shortcut , switchbacks with much effort put into the elusive clear round . Most folk got as far as the last hard bit , now called “Luciver ” by Kenny . The left line beat everyone although the line on the right is doable ..as I did it . However an EGM will have to decide if that line will constitute a clear round

Tunnel , with DOC Lewis getting a clear descent which is possibly a first . Onto trails and out at the bridge . Kenny and Cormac the took themselves off on their new toys towards Formal . The rest headed over slieve meel to Yellow Water and down to bridge where the excuses practically vomited out . Leaving only COC and DOC to tackle Castle Bog . Tim still working on the elusive clear round from gate to leitrim lodge . Could be a while!

Up Castle bog with Tim having no respect for his elders and towards wall, Both initial attempts at clear round failed but COC did manage it at the second attempt…does that count?
Home by ulster way and way surprised to find the early leavers in the Church Cafe ..all those excuses Robbie …that laundry won’t do itself you know !

No word from Mr Power et al yet .

Route here

Scotland The Brave

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Brought to you by kind permission of BL shutters ..always lead from the front
and
Wildbike

Cast
Rob ..Chief Guide , cook and bottle washer .
Finn..Personal Assistant to above.
Mr Power ..supplier of performance enhancing drugs ( Beetroot)
Mr Hull ..navigator and complaints ( making not receiving)
Mr Suffern MRCVS ..Teaser Provider
John ( SCO) ..translator and tartan specialist , swimming coach.
Mr Cooper .. Bus Timetables and Pub advisor . Wing Mirror Crash Testing.
Mr Stewart ..Music and entertainment
Herself …Laundry supervisor , and how to open the washing machine expert
COC ..Complaints ( receiver of) and archivist.
Lesley..assistant to Mr Suffern

Long drive to Torridon by the scenic route , we only lost one wing mirror. Roads were narrow and often single track so progress was slow . Kenny had Hugh up front reading pace notes and arrived first after only one tyre change .

The house was stunning with 360 views of lough and mountain . Bikes quickly unloaded and Cormac had PDI’s carried out in no time .The only tool he didn’t bring was a bike stand , still not sure why. Fed and watered ( well mostly watered!) and off to bed for bright and early start of local loop . Great climbing with PS setting the early pace until Liz had a word in his ear. Stunning descent which just by coincidence ended at the pub . Home for more food and water , well possibly less water as Rob promised big miles on tuesday.
Tuesday , stunning 2 climb/ 2 descent ride. Many punctures ..I curse those drainage ditches. Apart from a shower at beginning and a steady headwind it was fine. Once again by complete coincidence the ride spat us out by the pub .
3rd day was an easy ride to the beautiful applecroft and beach , followed by dinner in applecroft pub , super seafood with a view of Skye mountains in the distance .
4th day say a split with the elite ( Cormac and Kenny ) doing a monster climb / descent with Finn , and the rest with Rob for a more sedate affair . COC and Herself absconded with various poor excuses.
Final day was a great climb back up a previous descent , Paul took the crooked glass award having firmly lodged the point of his saddle where the sun dont shine. It has to be said John was in close contention. Bit of hike a bike at top and then a very rocky descent leading to a brilliant flowy descent to road . I managed a puncture about 3 milliseconds after Rob warned us about sharp drainage ditch…dohhhh. By complete coincidence the road home passed the pub so we felt obliged to call in .
Evening finished off by a fine venison casserole and some water .
Great weeks crack ..thanks to Rob and Finn and Baron Tollemache for the use of his country residence. Let down only by the absence of champagne glasses..well really!
Long drive home , held up by ministry of agriculture checkpoint where Liz was held fro trying to import a tick .Same safely removed you’ll be glad to hear .

COC

So many Photos…so many views

Tunnel Vision

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Select bunch today , no sick note from Teresa, Pamela or Leona . Kenny and Cormac away getting go faster stickers applied to their wreckonings , probably bells and reflectors also.
Scullion , 2 Pauls , Robbie , Coc , Herself and John (Sco) made up the merry band . Taking care to greet the pedestrians on the fairy glen we headed for Giants pad and up towards Fallow loop. There was a bit of a sprint up the first climb , Robbie and John fell away early leaving PS and COC to battle . COC must still have a bit of wheeler in him somewhere as he fought PS off for KOH .
Up to Tunnel where on Tuesday night it was reported that Doc Lewis got a clear round to fence . It was very dry and the normally dangerous logs had some grip. Repeated attempts by PS , Scullion and COC resulted in only one more clear by the boss.
Up to mast where I think everyone was clear it was so dry . Out towards Knockshee , and were enjoying the view so much that missed the turn . However our scottish pathfinder soon had us back on track.
Robbie then started to creak first brakes then frame , new pads and bearings need sorted which provided him a weak excuse for getting off the bike on fern gully .
Over the wall and down to lower gate off piste , v. nice. Home by wall .

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