Another head scratching session for the Two terry's as they waited at Gollum's cave for people to show up on this unexpectedly bright Thursday evening, 24th April 2008. No, not a flea infestation, although that's probably next in Golly's current tale of woe, but simply a strange lack of bods on what we might have expected to be a great night for a bike ride.

Ian the Speedian was his usual reliable self, and Arthur also appeared as he always does if he's not away working. Even our Frozen Thailander, Paul C, decided it was at last mild enough to show his face in England's glorious Springtime again for his second run since returning to the UK. But by the time 7:10 pm had arrived it was evident that we'd have no more takers, although we knew Jason was tied up with kiddie football again, and Steve B had been held up with work once more.

So, the vote said we go, and we headed up behind Holystone Farm on familiar trails with the target being a meeting with a new rider at Holywell Village. Ian surprised us all with some brand spanking singletrack extremely close to the Cramlington Waggonway, just a shame it's not a few miles long. That spat a bit of extra interest into the ride as it gets harder and harder to find new stuff. We tracked across the fields over Hillheads to Backworth before Ian led us onto one of our favoured runs through towards Seghill and the "dark, dark tunnel" before cutting over towards Holywell and some more stuff we hadn't tackled down on the riverside, where three of us were daft enough to get stranded and had to push out up an almost vertical grass slope.

We had about five minutes left to keep to our deadline and at exactly 8:00 pm we pulled up outside the hotel in Holywell to be greeted by new member Les A, waiting patiently (without a pint in his hand!) outside for us. With the introduction out of the way and a few niceties gone through, Ian sped off again down to the start of the Dene Trail. Golly grabbed a quick picture before we were off to try and conquer the two short, sharp climbs near the start with Terry up ahead trying to drag the rest of us through at his pace - no chance!

We finally caught up with him at yon end where he was into a discussion with a few more bikers - must be Spring after all - and watching the local teenage maniacs on their jump course. Oh to be young again! After admiring their skills for e while we took to our route once more, the Old One deciding Blyth would be a useful extension to our normal loop, as it was such a nice night. So off we went up Waggonways to Hartley, then through some more new stuff with the Gollum experimenting again until we emerged on the Newsham Tree Line. Once again Terry hit the front and the pace suddenly became very much like Wild Boar Training Day again. Eventually we regrouped again with each of the next two sections having the same outcome. And by the time we reached the Golf Course there wasn't much energy left in several pairs of legs.

Next target, therefore, was our customary refreshment stop, We managed to get to South Beach OK and sat ourselves on some old beach buildings for nosh and a yap. I think this is where Les realised what he'd hooked up with here - a bunch of BOFs who couldn't pedal a few miles without a lie down! He may be right! Anyway at least  we managed to unearth another hard pedalling non-teenager to join the few we already have. Les has been enjoying outings with a roadie group but is looking for a bit more off-road company, so that's exactly what we are, init?

Time to heave down the Dune Strip now, with a side/headwind to keep us tired and slow. We accompanied Terry down to Whitley Bay and parted company on Monkseaton Drive. That just left the gentle tour up to the Dene again on the Waggonway, and it was round about now that the Gollum realised exactly what he'd done to the really tired ones amongst us. Sorry gents, but nipping up to Blyth was an attempt to give young Les a decent run around from his Holywell home, and until we got back there, after another exciting but much slower run through the Dene, I hadn't taken the full effect of the extension into account. Oops. The end result of this was that we then attempted to keep things flat and easy for the home run, but ended up missing a singletrack turn somewhere (well, Golly did) and extending it a bit further! Oops again gents.

Finally we broke out above Holystone Farm again, with Arthur and Ian going straight down into Forest Hall and Paul following Golly down to Holystone. As we approached the Cave, Gollum shouted to Paul to put his bike in the back of the van for a lift home to South Gosforth. That's because it was 11:00 pm! An hour later than scheduled, and a bit late to be riding home after the rest of it. Pauls response was to either ignore, mis-hear or misunderstand Golly's shout, and he just buggered off into the distance! I'll let you know if he got back OK as soon as I know. 

Oh, I forgot to mention that poor Paul was viciously attacked by a rabid Alsatian as we ploughed through the Farm at the finish. It came out of nowhere and we didn't know it was there until it took it's first lunge at his left foot. Well done Paul for keeping the bastard off me.

Keep watching and if you fancy a ride out with us, drop us a line here: bailout@midaircrisis.org.uk