Ladies Day!

On a bright and brisk Saturday morning, there was a limited enthusiasm for riding from the regular members of the team - excuses ranged from hangovers, broken bikes, snowed in in Aspen, football through to concerns over the weather (!) - so OTH was represented by Dunnie, with my mate Dave 'Vermin' Wilson and his lovely fiancee Alice. We set off from Holmbury car park at a liesurely 0915, Dave on his trusty Trek Top Fuel, and Alice on her new bike (bought for her by Dave, who, being a cheapskate, had not invested in disc brakes...). It soon became apparent that Dave's Army Physiotherapist approach to his beloved's first proper MTB ride was somewhat louder than we would be used to, with the early morning peace being rent by his 'encouragement' to her... a 'beasting' would be more accurate, and soon I was feeling guilty at my perhaps optimistic choice of route.
Having warmed up on the easy tracks uphill, we hit BKB from the Hurtwood Control car park. As usual, it was 'moist' with no shortage of mud, even if it was well crisped over by frost, and we needed frequent pauses to allow Alice to re-clip in and get her balance perfected. A good run down the latter half of BKB, and a decision to forgo tea and cakes in Peaslake, was followed by a climb back up the bridleway to take in a gloopy Yoghurt Pots, and an equally mucky Telegraph Road, with some good speed on the last 2/3s, and a really impressive over-the-bars faceplant by Dave, reminiscent of Simon's best endeavours! A quick transit through the woods and final rooty downhill finish saw a short ride ended. Hats off to Alice, with a good performance 1st time out, and I think that Dave will be joining us again for future rides (and likely our Wales trip).
Those who planned to go out on Sunday (lashing with rain) will have missed a great day on Saturday - and for a change I managed to lead the way with no 'navigational embarrassment'....
See you in mid-March, if Idon't break anything else 'boarding in Norway...

Dunnie