Thanks Herman. .Gadget.
(Hardy - can you please also forward it to PEAK) SLIP SLIDING AWAY Ride Report – 21 Jan 2010 By Herman Pienaar (The Fall Guy) It rained for most of the day and I was contemplating the odds. Are we going to get wet? Perhaps some lightning to brighten things up. One thing was for sure though, there will be plenty of mud and the “dirty” side of D&D would come out to play. I was surprised by the 19 riders that pitched up given the mood swings of the weather. Certainly no Disprins1 <#sdfootnote1sym> in this group. Donald took on the duties of ride leader and Oupa Gert covered the rear. By the time we reached the top at Cornwall Hill most people were convinced that the weather will hold and off came the rain jackets. An easy pace took us down and across the field between Cornwall and the highway where we got our first taste of the slippery brown stuff and a promise of the fun to come. The speed zone on the tar road section to the turnoff was uneventful and brought us to the jeep track section. The mud was thick, slippery and everywhere. I took up position close to the back (it is easier to spot volunteers for the ride report from there). I rode behind QT, just for the sheer entertainment value. The jeep track provided plenty of fun and slides, but no one took a tumble. While laughing and commenting on QT’s display of skill I did a 90° sideswipe, the result of way too much power and way too little traction. I stayed on though and collected an 8/10 vote from Nico and co. at the back. Everyone was dirty by now and the mood was nothing short of jovial. At the end of the single track QT picked up a “tree” in her wheel and as we rolled out onto the gravel road I suggested she stop so I can take it out. Things fell apart in quick succession after that. QT stopped and I pulled in next to her, ready to do my good deed for the evening. It would have worked out quite well if I just managed to unclip. Well, I didn’t, and in the process of loosing my fight with gravity I tackled her of the bike and fell half on her and her bike. (And so the writer of the report was nominated). I managed to take out the branch but only after she helped me up and I had to endure light remarks from the back markers especially seeing that it was such a “technical section” that led to my demise. A lot of laughs and a “whoop-whoop” and we were on our way. Through the culvert under the highway with a lot of noise and whoop-whoop’s. Noisy bunch this. We made our way back down a steep single track with some close shaves along the way. It was time for picnic on the top of Quad-buster to celebrate Eric’s birthday. Hip-hip hurry! Champagne and cupcakes, yum-yum. It seems that it is exactly 3 years since he started riding with D&D. Congratulations Eric. Now whilst I have the Champagne in hand please allow me a word or two. Someone remarked along the way how beautiful the evening turned out and what a privilege it is to ride like this. I agree and would like to toast all the people who keep things together and put in the effort to ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable ride every Thursday evening. Some of the people that come to mind I met on my very first D&D ride, Hardy and QT, Oupa Gert, (thanks for introducing me), Nico, Eric and Donald to mention a few. Thanks guys. Going down Quad Buster is a lot more fun than going up. Donald warned us about the pole laying across the path past Smuts House as we continued further down. He of course managed to land up with a 6 foot long branch between the spokes of his back wheel. Now that takes real skill. Well done Donald. Nico once again nailed us on the Tour de Tar speed zone despite the fact that he forgot his cycling shoes and was riding with running shoes that resembled soft “pantoffels”. The stream of white and yellow lights winding their way up Big Dipper was a beautiful site to behold and by the time we poured back into the parking lot it was smiles all around. It was dark, it was dirty, and it was great fun. Cheers 1 <#sdfootnote1anc> Disprins: People who think they will dissolve in the rain. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DarkAndDirty" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/darkanddirty?hl=en.
