Tour Magnifique, Paseo Magnifico, Prachtige Fahrt, Passeggiata Magnifica, De Prachtige Rit, Carona Magnifica, Prakfull Tur, Reid Fendigedig, whatever language you say it in, it surely was a Magnificent Ride last night. Jock demonstrated how to orchestrate a truly stimulating experience, where he proved that more is not necessarily better, in terms of distance, as he contained his ride in the small area of woods between Machen and Rudry.

Again, another commendable turnout for the time of year, with 13 Moos enjoying the ride fest provided by Jock. It was also a monumental night in the fact that our favourite ‘dinosaur loving’ Dez made an inaugural appearance of the year, and boy did it show, for poor old Dezzie it must have felt like his lungs were caving in on him as he puffed, belched and blew his way through the woods stopping occasionally to heave and re-acquaint himself with the omelette he had consumed earlier. But admirably he soldiered on as far as the Maenllwyd, and while the rest of us followed Jock in pursuit of more class riding, Dez decided to follow the local regulars into the establishment in pursuit of a ‘livener’!!

Jock had earlier mentioned the general route he would be taking, but as we made the steady climb towards Ridgeway the ‘gravitational’ pull towards the ‘Drop of Death’ proved too significant, and this immediately called for a quick change of direction. For those who don’t know, the ‘Drop of Death’ is basically a 50 metre 45 degree descent which is best tackled after a few dry weeks, but after a few dry days, a select few Moos decided to attempt it, although in Chrissy’s case the boy just went for it, and showed everyone that when he puts his mind to it, he is quite a skilful rider, as he deftly rode ‘The Drop’ as if it were a ‘run of the mill’ forestry track. Although he spoilt it later by bragging to the boys that he conquered the hill just like he makes love, smooth, calm and in control, but he forgot that we were watching because he also made it down the drop in 5 seconds flat!!!! Next up was Harty, and fuelled up on adrenaline after seeing the ease at which Chrissy had accomplished the task in hand, he edged his trusty steed over the top. Whereas Chrissy’s attempt could be likened to the driving skills of the late great Ayrton Senna, fast, skilful dangerous but brilliant, Harty would be described as a Nigel Mansell, unconventional, untidy, robust but ultimately successful, because in a blur of flailing elbows, knees and wobbles, Harty was down the treacherous trail, with the Moos looking on in awe, he did however finally lose it completely at the bottom and ended up doing a triple somersault and gaining a mouthful of dirt, but it didn’t matter, because by then the job was done and the boys were suitably impressed. With everyone else deciding to take a rain check, it was left to the night’s formidable leader to complete the hatrick, and he did it in style, with the now well worn path suitably shined and buffed it bore all the resemblance of the Cresta Run, but Jock attacked it with the same gusto as his predecessors and was soon joining them at the bottom bathing in the warm glory that befits such a feat!!!

After a quick de-brief, the ride continued in the same vein to which we had become accustomed to, with plenty of fast technical descents punctuated with the customary refreshment break at the Maenllwyd.

After a week’s break it was nice to see the familiar faces at ‘The Inn’ including Dez who was suitably bored after unsuccessfully spending half an hour trying to strike up a conversation with the locals. A lot of them obviously didn’t appreciate the customary belch that accompanies every sip of his pint!! With a couple of swiftys on board it was back to HQ to enjoy Lyn the Landlady’s spread once again, although on the way back Scrippsy lost the boys and found himself all alone in the dark. When questioned on how he found himself in this predicament he explained “I was chatting in the Maenllwyd and noticed everyone had left, by the time I arrived you had all shot off” and there’s us thinking that that was one of the perks about being old!!!!!!!

Scrippsy had better arrive the same time as the rest of us next week, because it is his turn to take the ride, and he has said that Blip will be joining us too, there is also a French Food theme for next week, although Crock needn’t bother worrying as I don’t think he will be riding next week, or if he does it will be a little unconventional, as a rumour has gone around that he will be riding a unicycle next week as apparently one of his wheels has gone missing!!!!!!