The Speedian (Ian A) writes his Thursday Thoughts for MidAirCrisis/NMBC:

(ta much Ian, for the report and the ride).

Thursday 24th of September 2009. So the stay at home group gather at the cave for the alternative to the Thrunton ride, eight riders gathered in good time for a seven o clock prompt departure.

Tim
Jon
Richy
Ian A
Tony
Geoff
Nicola

It was good to see Nicola return after her accident whilst on holiday a couple of months ago, and Geoff who was celebrating his birthday by coming out with us.

We rode the usual route to Woolsington via Big water and Havannah. An additional loop around the Ouseburn ponds and returning via Black Lane was the plan ( Ian A/B and the Gollum had rehearsed this ride a couple of weeks earlier and had been chased by a farmer after illegally/accidentally riding along the side of his field ) but no such problem tonight, the coast was clear.

Upon reaching Whorlton Hall in record time a brief discussion led to a change in route, let’s go via Throckley and Walbottle Dene! Seemed like a reasonable idea at the time, some pretty good steps streams and bridges to tackle on the descent down to the Tyne with a high speed single track and grassy descent to Newburn.

Reaching the river the time now was 9. 35 best get a move on, beautiful night, strong tail wind and essentially down hill most of the way, the Quayside viewed from the upriver approach is quite stunning and the route past the Pitcher and Piano saw us weaving between the Thursday nigh revellers.

Geoff and Nicola remained on the C to C route for their home in North Shields
whilst the others decided to travel home the shortest and quickest route via the various back roads around Heaton, this is where the Jon who was single speeding tonight headed for home. This left the final five riding up Chilly road only to come across five long legged miniskirt clad, high heeled stunners walking in the same direction, it must have taken 5 minutes to try and ride past, just lost the will to pedal somehow. (Good job the Gollum was somewhere else he probably would have died and gone to heaven on the spot).
(ed – I’m here now, we can’t have talk like this on our family show. On second thoughts, b@ll@x, why was I at Thrunton?)

Back of Wills apartments and home for 10:35, 32 miles
Super night