Monday 29th March

[ptolemyx]

Annoying we lost Steve, as ride leader I shouldn't have let it happen. What happened pal? I know you got stuck at the roadworks lights. Did you peel off homewards?

Anyways, nice to get out with some mates. I made the wrong call first off and continued north from Tivvy instead of changing to a more southerly route. Just so we could enjoy the Exmoor drist penetrating to our unmentionables As the morning progressed and the roads dried we could get in to a better riding rhythm. That is Phil got bored with my sedate rusty riding... I believe I've now earned the monicker "thruppence"

[chr1s]

Cheers y'all twas good to get out for a decent run and natter.

[Crusader Sport]

As you say I got held up at lights ,I went past some laybyes ,no sign of anyone. When I got to Eggesford station, still no sign. I thought you may have turned off as per original plan, that's what I did. I didnt fancy going on towards Barnstaple without a clue where anyone was. Up to that point it was a brill ride. In truth I have to admit I was a smidge hacked off. However if everyone got home ok ,that's the bit that matters.
Thankyou for organising the ride out, it's appreciated.

[billinom8s]

Poor show greyone. Should of stopped.

[Robbo87]

Brian's said it all above, so has Chris; nothing much to add except thanks to Brian for organising and leading - if thanks is the right word regarding the first 30-odd miles foray into and onto Exmoor's mist/drizzle/filthy roads. As said, once heading south it was improvements all the way, especialy applying to our group's thruppenny-bit king .

Atcherly, I have to add seriously big thanks to:
(a) Chris and Brian for stepping up to the plate and getting the dratted (s)trumpet bump started at Tiverton when it's starting woes reared it's ugly head again - cheers lads , I'd have been well and truly stuffed without your help .
(b) Roy, who did exactly the same for me when, yup, you've guessed it, the b*****d wouldn't start again after I stalled it at a t-junction in Awliscombe on the way home - cheers Roy , I hope the coffee at mine afterwards went some way to ease the pain .

Steve, hope you're o.k. we hung on for ages a coupla miles from where I think you got stuck at the lights. Had to assume you headed for home from there .

All in all an eventfull day in every way and great to get out on two wheels with some mates - bikes and banter, what better ?

Here's a pic' taken at Torrington picnic area.

Torrington picnic area. L to R - Chris, Brian, Steve. AWOL - Roy & Phil (1).jpg

[chr1s]

Glad you got home okay Steve and sorry for missing you. As Phil said we did wait for quite a while up the road from the construction lights and the consensus was that you must've peeled off home. Anyways I said at the time that in future if anyone wants to leave the ride and head home they need to notify someone before heading off to avoid this in future. See you on the next one bud.

[Crusader Sport]

Thanks for waiting guys. I would never set off for home without telling someone, you just don't do it. I honestly thought you had all turned off as planned. That Yamaha is a beast, I don't know what you feed it on but it def likes it.
Great to see you all.

[Crusader Sport]

Really enjoyed that, cockup easily sortable.
Love to do a weekday again.....

[Robbo87]

Really enjoyed that, cockup easily sortable.
Love to do a weekday again.....

Yup, me too . Brian's got another Monday date organised.
It's ages since I organised a rideout and it's time I did, so am now seriously considering making it a weekday one. . . . . . . . In fact I will, I'll set a choice of weekday dates and post up to gauge interest. Also, I'll make the route slightly different to our normal Devon & Exmoor TT rides.

[Jug]

I'd be up for weekday rides too, as long as the weather is good.

I'm off out tomorrow for my first ride of the year, though I'm not sure where, or how long..
It's more of an initial shakedown really to see where my endurance level is after my winter hibernation.

[Crusader Sport]

This doesn't effect the rest of you but if we've done a SWBikers run on Sunday I'm afraid there's no chance me doing another run the next day. I'll be laying flat on my back feeling sorry for myself. Any other Monday or whatever would hopefully be OK.
CHEERS GUYS.

[ptolemyx]

I'm in the same boat Steve, needing to space out my rides and seriously consider the miles done in any one hit. I could not put any weight on my hip when I got home Monday and am still suffering now. The wife I'm a full time carer for has had to be my carer the last few days ffs.

[royb]

Sorry to hear about so much suffering guys. That's the problem, older age does not come alone.
Thanks for your company and see you on the next ride.

[Robbo87]

In answer to Brian and Steve (above) and anyone else interested in a weekday blat, it'll definately be around midweek that it happens; a Wednesday or Thursday probably. I'll have sorted date options shortly so check in regularily for info'.