The ride started well with me actually making it. After smashing into bambi on the way to Dunkeld, I did think it was a bit insensitive for everyone to direct me to the "Seriously Good Venison" website for the directions to the car park at the Clink. The directions were good though, as I'd have driven straight past the turn at the white house otherwise.
I arrived at (the quiet and in the middle of nowhere) car park to find a pimped BMW on big alloys. Inside was a Glaswegian busy measuring small bags of white powder. Thankfully it was only jimihendrix (and he claimed it was only energy drink). Riders slowly started to arrive, some more slowly than others and once The Ken finally realised he locked the bike rack we got going.
Or so we thought.....
Within 20m there was a shout of back in 5 as Mikee headed back to the car with Jimi in tow. Most of the rest headed out on a wee taster loop for our first taste of the flavour of the day. Wet roots.
Getting back to start point there was no sign of Mikee or Jimi. Scouting parties we sent out and we were soon a group again. I'd try to describe the route but I have no idea where we went. We started at the Clink and finished at the Clink. In between was lots of sweet singletrack, some slippy push up climbs and lots of wet roots. Regular riders there could give a much better route description but for the rest of us it was a case of follow the leader. Luckily the leader knew the best trails.
There were stops for rest, Haribo and in jokes from previous rides (which went right over my head ). Plus the amusing testicular tale of the supposed manhood friendly saddle.
Mechanicals were limited to The Kens front brake ( a Macretro tradition ), a wobbly front wheel, a wobbly back wheel and my main pivot bolt unscrewing itself.
All riders made it home unhurt, although Mikee did his best to jinx us by issuing a warning about a particularly fast roots descent. Cue keithyr ejecting himself over the bars right in front of me. Rider and bike avoided, the rest of us made it to the bottom unscathed.
The trails on the home leg started to make sense of the area as some routes were re-ridden and linked together. One in particular saw a riderless ti frame block the trail as The Ken got intimate with the scenery, forcing another rider into a mud hole. The last rooty descent and Keith come a cropper again, although he seemed more worried about his spilled Haribo than his bike. We all ate them anyway and it was off back to the cars.
Post ride refuelling was delayed due to a false start at the "we don't do food" Cycle Tavern. At least we had better luck in Falkland with good burgers and chips. When Velo offered us his "un-used buns" it seemed a good opportunity for us to make a move for home, although Rob did seem overly keen to give him a lift.
All in all, a great ride in good company. Nice to put faces to forum names. Hope to see you all on another ride soon.
I arrived at (the quiet and in the middle of nowhere) car park to find a pimped BMW on big alloys. Inside was a Glaswegian busy measuring small bags of white powder. Thankfully it was only jimihendrix (and he claimed it was only energy drink). Riders slowly started to arrive, some more slowly than others and once The Ken finally realised he locked the bike rack we got going.
Or so we thought.....
Within 20m there was a shout of back in 5 as Mikee headed back to the car with Jimi in tow. Most of the rest headed out on a wee taster loop for our first taste of the flavour of the day. Wet roots.
Getting back to start point there was no sign of Mikee or Jimi. Scouting parties we sent out and we were soon a group again. I'd try to describe the route but I have no idea where we went. We started at the Clink and finished at the Clink. In between was lots of sweet singletrack, some slippy push up climbs and lots of wet roots. Regular riders there could give a much better route description but for the rest of us it was a case of follow the leader. Luckily the leader knew the best trails.
There were stops for rest, Haribo and in jokes from previous rides (which went right over my head ). Plus the amusing testicular tale of the supposed manhood friendly saddle.
Mechanicals were limited to The Kens front brake ( a Macretro tradition ), a wobbly front wheel, a wobbly back wheel and my main pivot bolt unscrewing itself.
All riders made it home unhurt, although Mikee did his best to jinx us by issuing a warning about a particularly fast roots descent. Cue keithyr ejecting himself over the bars right in front of me. Rider and bike avoided, the rest of us made it to the bottom unscathed.
The trails on the home leg started to make sense of the area as some routes were re-ridden and linked together. One in particular saw a riderless ti frame block the trail as The Ken got intimate with the scenery, forcing another rider into a mud hole. The last rooty descent and Keith come a cropper again, although he seemed more worried about his spilled Haribo than his bike. We all ate them anyway and it was off back to the cars.
Post ride refuelling was delayed due to a false start at the "we don't do food" Cycle Tavern. At least we had better luck in Falkland with good burgers and chips. When Velo offered us his "un-used buns" it seemed a good opportunity for us to make a move for home, although Rob did seem overly keen to give him a lift.
All in all, a great ride in good company. Nice to put faces to forum names. Hope to see you all on another ride soon.