Some people when faced with adversity are able to quickly and effortlessly step into the breach and save the situation, unfortunately Chrissie is not one of these, for after Jock had to belatedly pull out of taking last weeks ride, it was left to Chrissie to rectify matters, and not since Tom took us on a lane riding dawdle at the beginning of the year have we had to digest such rubbish, so apologies for no Odes last week but there really wasn’t anything of any note to write about.

The only noteworthy events were off the trail, where it was the monthly awards. Crock had an exceptionally difficult job in choosing the ‘unorthodox behaviour’ award, but his final choice in presenting it to the Captain, for his deserting act earlier in the month had the full backing of all of the Moos! As for rider of the month, well this was presented by Scrippsy, who in a somewhat cop-out of a decision awarded it to Ryan the Dream, who apart from not meeting the criteria of taking part in every ride during the month, he also, when he could be bothered to turn up, sloped off early on a number of occasions to start a sleeping shift! So if this is what you have to do to win Rider of the Month, then it looks like Kev the Gallon and Dezzy are in the running for this month’s award!!

Normal service was resumed this week with Jock being able to lead the ride which included 16 Moos and 2 newcomers one of which it was commented had a backside like a walnut, in fact when he was riding next to Bernaard, it looked like a tennis ball up against a space hopper. Anyway as with all Jocks rides you are guaranteed thrills and spills and this week was no exception! After some top class singletrack incorporating ‘Blips Leap’ it was on to the ‘drop of death’ with no less than 12 riders completing the drop and one in particular smashing a new path like a rhino in full force. Good old Harty came down the drop with such gusto he managed to catapult himself into a hedge and smash his way through, therefore paving the way for the rest of the Moos to ride through unhindered. With 12 of us safely down it was left to the other 4 to do the walk of shame whilst the rest of us waited patiently at the bottom for them. Marty, Dickie, Flangey and Dai Shop seriously need to redeem themselves in the coming weeks for pulling up ‘lame’ at the top of the drop and refusing to continue, this behaviour is not in the spirit of the Moos!! This is where after one almighty crash our new friends decided to make their excuses and leave us for the evening, the ‘Drop of Death’ proving to much of an initiation experience!

Crock was also on form, and he proved this by giving Singlespeed a masterclass in bike riding by constantly giving him valuable nuggets of information on how to get the best out of his bike and how to successfully combat all the elements in a way that compliments his riding style, Singlespeed did mutter how grateful he was later on, well done Crock!!

With the Clic24 drawing ever closer a lot of the Moos have been getting the mileage under their belts in preparation for this endurance event, but for one member the training has ground to a halt. The hapless Scrippsy was unable to ride last week due to, as he put it, “a little tickle in my chest”, which prompted the Heartbeat favourite to threaten to pull out of the Clic24 event. This will not be allowed Mr. Scripps and we will make sure that we take a good quality cough linctus and plenty of Blackcurrant Ruben with us in order to sooth your troublesome tickle!!

The rumour on the Moos grapevine is that the old Moos favourite Johnny ‘Mechanic’ Wright will be gracing us with his presence on Wednesday, so if any of you have any problems with your bikes be sure to turn up a little earlier in order for ‘The Mechanic’ to give them a good seeing to!