|Tuesday 12th November

Hayley, Robin, Coby, both Nialls, Peter, Barney, Adrian, Ollie, Shane and myself headed into the gloom. Round Mallard wood for warmup, with an accident to one of the two guys who joined us for this bit, only scraped knee. Then onto track proper, with Niall McK getting a front wheel puncture, which Barney and I helped with - hindered by two pumps, one nice and shiny, but we didn't know how to switch from Shrader to presta, and my heap of crap which works intermittently. so after 1-1.5 million strokes the tyre was inflated and myself decidely deflated. Onward and the mud and roots making for a hairy run with quite a few deep breaths and expletives. Towards the end a slow puncture from Peter held himself and Barney up, but eventually finished with about 20 miles on the clock. about 14 in the forest. Good night, and it is impressive how much the guys (and gal) have come on over the last year, everyone goes round the trails at a fair lick now.