Devon TRF Group Forum

Unusually I am writing this while the run is actually taking place, without me. The run filled up within hours of being posted, but you know what they say about the best laid plans.....

Mattyboy said he would be there like a shot but a prearranged bondage session took priority, well he said he was tied up anyway. You can learn a lot about someone from their avatar, maybe...

11trailblazer and Alttr were at the top of the list, with Cee-b making it three from North Devon, until Alan pulled out, then all of Ross's transport rebelled putting his ability to get there in doubt, then Colin had to give up his place to look after his elderly father after he suffered a fall damaging his wrist.

So one badger already and still a week to go before the ride. I wasn't worried at this point though. 

Stevenn joined the list having had a good day out on the first run of the year and fulfilling his hope to do it again soon.

Tribey showed where his loyalties lay by admitting he was going to be at the rugby, and I hope he enjoys the run report, such as it is...

NeilM joined the list to represent the Plymouth boys. FredE came too from the East, although Crediton is East from my place it is more properly Mid Devon, and his big 4 stroke joined the ranks. It is pleasing to see riders from literally all over the county.

Deci added his name too and I was glad to have the opportunity to pass on some Rights of Way info to him to help him navigate the legal minefield of ROW as he has volunteered to be a group officer and the willing deserve all the help they can get, so a tiny mirco Sd card crammed with many gigabytes of mapping, e-mails, copies of freedom of information requests and other miscellaneous notes on anomalies in our road network changed hands. At least he will have no trouble sleeping for a while now.

Mike added his name and the run was deemed full once more as the places previously claimed and then vacated had all filled up again. 

Wezz wanted to come too and asked me to let him know if anyone dropped out and claimed the title of first reserve. Little did I know that would be me at that time. With seven days to go my throat started to tickle, six days and counting and my nose was running like a tap. Five days to go and I could not stop sneezing. With four days left I could not stop coughing but three days away I felt a little better and rather (foolishly) optimistic about recovering in time. Two days to go and I was still living on Lemsip and cough medicine, still hoping at this stage to have enough strength to ride, but I gave up on a  mountain bike ride planned for the day before and that is re-arranged for Saturday 26th. When I spluttered out of bed the day before the appointed hour after a third sleepless night I presented myself at hospital and gratefully clutched the dual prescriptions for antibiotics the size of horse tablets and enough steroids to make me rattle if I had the strength and the energy to jump up and down.

With a heavy heart I posted the run as cancelled, sending a pm to all those who had expressed an interest in the ride and apologizing for my illness. I felt guilty for getting peoples hopes up and letting them down, but on the plus side at least we had had the pleasure of looking forward to it. Thankfully Deci stepped up to the plate and volunteered to take over leading duty at the last minute and the run was back on again, probably because he had already put the bike into the van. Isn't the fellowship wonderful when things work out.

I dropped along to see the lads off. It is a bit of a wrench seeing folks going out to have fun and not being able to tag along. Deci found room in his pocket for a tiny data card and Stephen was shown the bulky genuine Yamaha Serow manual he had been looking for, a price agreed, and he will get it sometime in the near future as it too big to slip into a pocket.

I had not met Wezz before but have to say I love his beard. No need for a scarf there.

Hilarity before the off made up for my miserable state

Deci's pre ride briefing "Don't lose each other, make sure the man behind sees where you go at each turn" Wise words.

All lined up ready and on time too

Fingers hovering over starters, kickers at the ready and thumbs up

Hands on handlebars, poised for the off

And away they went, all a blur, which says more for my unsteady hands than the actual speed

Some in more of a hurry than others, again my reactions are not too good today

Some side by side

Some in single file

And they were gone, and I was jealous, and went home to bed. Yaa boo sucks.

I wonder what became of them? Hopefully someone will add to this and let us know.