Saturday 21st August Ride
By Ben
The route we took.............
Breaking with tradition, 8 of us met on on a Saturday for a gentle ride, once again to tackle a route prepared with military precision by 'It's probably that way' Jeremy.
Starting at the station, we made our way out on some of our traditional routes towards Cholesbury, passing Vinnie Jones' house on the way.
Going cross country, we then headed off towards Wendover, on a route that included a site of MTB Berko folklore: Ann's Accident. All of us managed to tackle the route without sustaininginjuries, with a few even trying the Hump of Horror twice; Si in particular managing to get some great air. It's just a shame the photographer was asleep at the time!!!!..
After tackling a 'gentle incline' which felt pretty near vertical in Wendover Woods, we made our way up Coombe Hill, taking in a great view of Chequers.
Having enjoyed some culture, it was then time for the pub, so we set course for Tring and the welcoming bosom of the Kings Arms, via the 'bumhole'
.
However, coming into Tring Tim became the victim of MTB Berko's first fruit based injury; a tarmac surface covered in the pulp of unidentified (but tasty, according to Jeremy) orange fruits proving slippy enough to claim him. Fortunately, medical advice was on hand from Nurse Neil, and post-trauma counselling was provided by Lloydy, with the classic line 'let me just have a photo of you on the ground'.
Suitably bloodied, we arrived at the Kings Arms, where I got told off for trying to order chips. Spirits rose further when we found that they had obviously known of Si's impending arrival and stocked a guest ale specially for him.
Contrary to popular opinion, it wasn't boring and it didn't smell funny, either.
Bellies full, we then made our way down the towpath and back to the Riser. Well, all except one 'Boring B4stard', anyway...