An alternative Thursday Social

The turnout for Thursday Steady Social was smaller than normal, and all seven riders technically capable, so we shook things up with some muddy trail variations and a little more climbing.

Trials Tim was out hopping about despite the gales on the top. Always a pleasure to watch.  The Malverns are only a small set of hills, but their bare flanks leave riders exposed to the full force of the weather.

The fog swirled and thickened as we pedaled over the ridge; an orange glow the only reminder of the villages below.  We regrouped in the howling wind as Chuck gave a briefing of the upcoming descent. 

Soon enough we were greeted by an outstanding trail, hidden and well ridden, branching off a main line and swooping in and out of the trees. With some higgldeypiggledy criss-crossing of lines, we all arrived at the bottom unscathed, before climbing back up, up and up, for a final flat out fast descent to the pub.  Now regulars, we were greeted warmly; the landlady ready with the soya milk for my cuppa and reassuring us that the muddy kit really didn't matter.