Saturday 18th August

We were meant to ride to a planting but the site was under water and the day has been postponed to the 25th so with all the tracks closed on the hills we decided on a road ride with a twist.  Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Tinkerbell, The Cook, Silverfox and Sandals (on her cruiser bike with 8 gears)all met at mine.  One showing off his new 29er wheel one showing off 2 new wheels and a frame. Tinkerbell has finally got a new bike and it was quite sexy for a bike. We headed around the river getting along the single track of the towpath before heading up St Andrews hill. Nice grunt up here with Mellonfarmer standing to keep the single speed moving and Sandals digging it in due to the lack of gears.  Stopped at the church so people could strip down.  Continued on up steadily then through Longridge settlement (by now we had stopped for a regroup) scoping out another route for later.  We then headed up the last bit of Mt Pleasant rd into the cloud before coming stopping to layer up.  Headed around the road to Evans Pass after getting through the gates saying slips ahead.  Nice cool run down here noting all slips cleaned up.  About halfway down we stopped to look at the corner on Evans pass rd where they have been blowing rock up.  Then we headed down.  I thought all of us were on the road but at Evans Pass itself discovered only mellonfarmer and Sandals shortly joined by the Cook.  The word was something wrong with Phatboys bike.  A phonecall later discoverd he was now walking back to Mt Pleasant road with a broken frame.  (he is kinda happy as he has been talking about an upgrade for a while)  The others caught up before climbing up the road to the track down to Scarbourgh Hill.  This was rutted by water.  Then down to Dot Com for coffee and then the ride back.  Good solid blast across the causeway then the river home  Enjoyed it all very much