Monday 27th April

After putting Sundays ride off due to rain we all geared up to ride today.  Light drizzle stopped as we all met up outside mine.  Silverfox, The Cook, Bugs, Phatboy, Sandels and I headed off in warm humid conditions at a relaxed pace around the usual route of the river, under the tunnel bridge into ferrymead towpath.  Hooked up with Mellonfarmer at the ferrymead bridge, got rid of extra layers, climbed the steps and started the climb up St Andrews.  Pace was steady and even the quick boys held back for a nice pace up the hill.  Went up Marama onto St Andrews again then onto major Hornbrook stopping at the longridge area for a quick regroup.  Then up the last 2 steeps and along to the start of lower John brittan.  Up we headed at a nice pace, I stayed near the back for a change.  Steady as she goes riding up into the cloud,  Out onto the road and into the Old Greenwood start.  The cattlestop was slippery as but the rest of the track was quite good considering last nights rain.  Regroup just before the ruins and then into the down.  We all thought the rocks would be tough but they were not bad.  Down down down with a little regroup just after gloomy gulch before finishing the rest.  A few dabs around the final rocks by most. Into Ct Thomas.  Enjoying the run down here riding it all no problems then I heard a shout from the Fox, he had punctured and my tyre had gone down at about the same point.  I was lucky and pumped it up leaving the gunk to seal so I headed down. Past Phatbow and mellonfarmer who were waiting then I caught the Cook and Sandels who had gone on ahead and then a good run down the rest at pace.  We regrouped at the bottom, I added another couple of shots of air into my tyre and we all headed off to Dot Com for tea and cake.  mellonfarmer shot through early then the rest of us followed at a leisurely pace.  Phatboy said bye and headed off and then we dropped Sandels and Bugs (who were going back to his place to discuss the heaphy ride).  The Fox, The Cook and I headed on alone.  Dropped the Cook at Radley and separated from the Fox at Aynsley.  Home early.  feeling good.