Once again, the Speedian, alias Ian A, has kindly recorded Thursday 24th July's night ride for us all with the regular editor being out of commission on the Scottish trip. Thanks again, Ian. He writes -

Thursday 24^th July saw a larger than expected turnout considering how many riders are still on their holidays, Terry H and Ian B were the first to George Stephenson’s cottage followed by Ian A, fortunately we decided to wait a few extras minutes and caught a few not too late comers, the big surprise being John on one of his six monthly visits from Peterborough. He hopes to be out on more Thursdays in the near future, and he was accompanied by Derek.

We headed off  North via Killingworth lake to Weetslade, Brunswick and to the trails in Havana country park near Hazlerigg. This is were we said goodbye to Derek and John who had promised to be home by 9.00 or was it on a promise, I forget.

That left four remaining riders; we headed off towards Great North Park via a new route to the south of Brunton Lane riding parallel to one of the many wildlife ponds in grass that was as high as an elephant’s eye and looks like its climbing right up to the sky. I must apologise to the riders behind as the trail was not particularly well developed but did prove a little challenging a bit like riding blindfolded.

On to Gosforth Park with a couple of extra new trails thrown in for variety but alas the light was not with us tonight and the trails were getting harder to spot in the dusky woods so we decided to cut things short and headed for the exit, but not without incident. Ian B, the Glentress regular managed to come a cropper on the Gosforth Park trim trail fortunately only damaging skin and not metal, and he thought Glentress was challenging!

A quick dodge with the traffic on the A189 through West Moor and home for 9.15 . The light nights are disappearing fast so lights are required next week unless you want to go home early.

Speedian

Gollum - I think there was a sixth rider, may be wrong! It could have been Evan or Ian F, back from exile. I'll check with Speedy later.

 

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