The Speedian's Quick Bit:

Thursday 27th January 2010 - from the Cave at 19:10.

Ian A
Tim
Jeff
Francis
Matt
Stewart
IanM2
StevenWa
Paul
ChrisK
MickH
Richy
Ainis
Derek
TerryK

The Route in Brief:

Holystone
Silverlink
Howdon
Pedestrian tunnel
Tim's singletrack
Baltic
Ouseburn
Heaton Park
Split at Jesmond
Jesmond Dene for IanA, IanM, Jeff and Mick
Ministry
Home at 10:30

A bit of a fill-in:

Not to hard for the Gollum to recall, even with his abyssmal memory, as this ride provided a slight mishap when he led off the south shore of the Tyne at Pelaw up into unknown territory beyond the treeline. He only got a few metres in when something went "boinggg" and the Trek's top tube suddenly clashed with Golly's bottom tubes. Ouch, that hurt, many.

Something, probably a twiglet, had got into the rear derailleur and made it follow the chain over the top of the cassette, snapping the hanger of cleanly. Result - an unexpected snack break in the trees while the singleespeed (urk) conversion was applied. That made it fun getting home, not for the first time.

Thanks to the kind hearted folk who towed me part of the way (Steven, Derek, Tim and Chris K), it was much appreciated, although the stretch along the Coast Road to Wallsend and the final bit up to ASDA was a bit unnerving hanging on to two peoples' Camelbacks, one either side! Don't try this with a loose headset. And watch out for lamp posts.