The ride started out with everyone's favourite climb-up Turner's lane where Knotty was heard to mutter "Dai, I hate you!" under his breath. It was good to see that Slug & Lettuce were doing their usual job of making sure that no-one gets left behind... well done lads.

While waiting at the top we were shown by Crockett what he gets up to on his lonely nights in and when he's running short of Primula... not a pretty sight!

It was then a quick nip into the woods and back up to the top of the 2 mile climb where we had further delay in fixing Johnsy's chain (a result of too much power or frantic gear changes when going up Turner's - you decide.)

After a bit of cow avoiding it was down the zig zags and up fern mountain where we took a slighly different route missing out most of the wall but keeping the descent.

It was now time for a bit of urban riding....well riding past B&Q anyway. It was here that  Harty tried to get us to stop in Crossways for a go in the ball pit by breaking his chain (poor maintenance).

An aborted ride to the top of Rudry Common (note to self..buy a watch and do not believe Nik Nak) saw all the alcoholics plead a case for going straight to sthe Maenllwyd. I put a brave defence but in the end broke under the opinion of the masses and a couple of pints later saw us back in the woods to ride past Farquars nemisis which was the 3 metre wide smooth trail which tripped him up before Christmas.

It was then back to the T.A for the usual fayre. Note ..barrier cream should be applied before digging into the chips to prevent dermatitis.

It was a good turn out with 18 riders including Russels gypsy friends.

Johnsy's ride next week (at last)

Over and out

Dai Eye