Beginners Ride Review
First, I'd like to extend a big thank you to Paul, not only for organising the ride out as the leader, but also for agreeing to meet me at Baldock and escort me to the intended start location. A bloody good job mate and I hope to join you again soon...if you'll have me!
So, at some ungodly hour which the misses most certainly didn't approve of (on a side note, it is however perfectly acceptable for her to regularly get me up 2 hours before I'd normally need to when she's on an early shift) I jumped on the bike to head for my first stop off - South Mimms where I was to meet with Simon (Tribal Chestnut). Nice chap and we rode in convoy up to Tesco in Baldock where we met Paul (Paul13) and Chris (KTMstretch) and brimmed the tank of the super-powerful crf250L that I treated myself to less than a week previously. The first 30 mins of the ride to South Mimms was in the rain and was like pins in my face through my motocross helmet. If I wasn't already properly awake, after 10 mins at 70mph on the motorway I certainly was).
After the usual introductions we set off through Baldock, taking in some lanes, to the main meeting point. It was a bizarre sensation for me - normally when I go anywhere, either with the misses, or with my mates I always end up planning the route one way or the other so I always know where I'm going etc. In this instance, I had no idea - just had to follow the leader.
So, we took in a few lanes at a reasonable pace. Within these first lanes we already had a man down in very slippy mud and shortly after I ended up being double rutted. Now, if you asked me 2 days ago, if I wanted to be double rutted, I'd have said "hell yeah" thinking it was incredibly kinky involving the misses and at least one of her hottest mates. Unfortunately there was no such fun in this it turns out and I actually needed 2 other chaps to help me out. Not what I was hoping for if I'm honest
We then met up with 8 other people at the cafe (of which the name currently escapes me) where Paul did the formal introductions and how the ride was going to work and we all went around and said who we were. By the time we got back to the beginning of the circle I'd already forgotten (shit with names - possibly forget mine sometimes!) but everyone seemed friendly enough and there was a wide range of people. Some young. Some a little less young. And, believe it or not, there was actually a lady present also!!
Paul explained the marker system and off we set. It all seemed to work well and when people were the markers, everyone seemed to be very patient. There were all manor of abilities - the verging on retarded (me!) and the much much (much much much!!) better. Chris (KTMstretch) brought up the rear agreeing to act as the muscle as and when I was likely to have dropped my bike. This, I now understand, was a cunning plan to hang back and then have a proper tear up as and when!
So, we did a few lanes here and there with a few roads intermixed inbetween. The weather had improved by this point and it actually was a lovely morning. The lanes were unremarkable. By unremarkable, I mean I actually managed to keep it shiny side up (although I did come close a couple of times!!). The wet mud I really didn't enjoy and after stopping for five minutes, Paul suggested that the next lane could possibly be a tad wet, so knowing that I didn't enjoy the mud, off I walked to investigate and came back to report that it was, using that well known technical greenlaning term 'slippy as f**k' having nearly gone base over apex more than once! I was a bit of a pussy and took the road route knowing I wasn't going to enjoy it that much.
After that we had some awesome lanes over some hills somewhere (accurate I know!) that were dry and gravelly with a stunning view all around. A great time out in the countryside.
We ended up at Dorrington's (I believe it was called) in Newport where I had an average baguette and a nice bottle of Diet Coke (you know what it's like - takes work to keep a figure like this) sitting out in the sun - who would have believed it was November!
I had to leave after the lunch stop as we were having a fireworks night party with a load of people over and I had to be back to jet-wash the bike (and me!) before they arrived.
90 mins later I arrived home.
Thoughts on the day:
- The work put in by Paul was great - was very much appreciated by me and I'm sure all the other riders
- Everyone was very patient, helpful and friendly. Was good to meet everyone (and again, sorry I'd forgotten your names before we even left the car park!)
- Everyone was respectful of other lane users
- 60 mins of motorway to get to the start of the ride is far too long and wearing, especially on the crf250l
- 90 mins of motorway to get home after a ride is about 9 times too long and tiring, especially on a crf250l
- I need to buy a trailer!
I certainly would love to attend again on a beginners ride out if the leader will have me again, however I'd like to do less really slippy mud. This was my first experience of riding with the TRF and it was very positive. I very much enjoyed the day (at least not the motorway work!) and can't wait to get back out again!
Once again, thanks for the work Paul and Chris.
Cheers