2^{nd. Not a bad start to the month, well a sunny dry start anyway. Me and Oz having a scrounge about Guissy Woods and over Captain Cooks. Somebody has been getting busy with the gravel again, it looks as though the whole Percy Cross Rigg track from the tarmac to the gate at the top of The Unsuitables is going to be sanitised. Where will it all end? Crash barriers, padding at the side of the track, speed cameras?}

5th. Some new blood today, another bone-idle, work-shy, process operator decided to leave the warmth and comfort of the control room for the grey, wilderness of North Yorkshire. And grey it was today, if it wasn’t for our new member’s Hi Viz jacket we could’ve been in a black and white film. A gentle excursion was in order, not so much for Neil, our new starter but for Chris, this being his first off-road ride for 3 months. Our monochrome meander took us past Swainby Shooting House, through Clain Woods, Scarth Wood Moor and into Osmotherley for the café. Closed would you believe? Just in time for the rain to begin, marvellous. Undaunted, we made our way to Cod Beck and snacked on energy bars while sheltering in the trees. One final climb, up through the woods and we were passing Chequers, also closed (no surprise there then). Neil’s first off road ride completed but which Terra Trailblazers category will he fit into; regular, irregular, has-been or one-off?

6th Complete contrast to yesterday, blinding sunshine and genuine warmth. Everyone back at work today so solo riding ruled once more. Rode up the Mad Mile, strenuous as ever but perversely pleasurable without the usual moans of dissent from fellow riders. Went along the Drove Road and down into Boltby Forest before a slightly damp Cowesby Moor, a bit of exploring soon had me back in Boltby Forest for a spot of map and compass action to return me to the Drove Road. The highlight of the day was, naturally, the ride back down the Mad Mile, for once unsullied by fellow travellers of the pedestrian variety.

15h Accompanied by a Oz and Chris, I made my way onto Cold Moor from Lordstones via a hideously steep bridleway above Beak Hills farm. It was worth it for the descent to Chop Gate, even though it’s been smoothed out at the top, gravity-assisted fun was had by all. Oz then proceeded to take the King Of The Mountains title off current holder Simon by pedalling the whole way up the Bilsdale Transmitter access road. Later in the ride, on Arnesgill Ridge, we were amused to watch Chris being overtaken by an octogenarian riding a touring bike, complete with panniers and a rear cassette the size of 50p piece. When Chris eventually caught the old gadgy up (when he’d slowed down on a rocky descent, fearful of pinch punctures with his road wheels and tyres)

Chris said in passing: “I wish I was as fit as you”

"Aye, you do look a bit out of condition…” came the reply. Kept us giggling all the way back to Lordstones and long after.

16th Managed a sneaky one today after the NTL bloke had been. Did the Tripsdale round from Clay Bank. Not a bad day, conditions getting a bit draggy owing to the damp sand on the high tracks but otherwise fine.

26th Ten days since the last ride? I must have needed the rest. Me and Oz were joined by Simon, not Simon the Settee Jockey but Simon the Suture, so-called because of his downhilling accidents. His specialist recommended some gentle cross-country cycling so he immediately thought of us. Basically we reversed The Xmas Dinner ride, heading over Carlton Bank, down into Scugdale, up to Swainby Shooting House, across the moor to Arnesgill Ridge, down Barkers Ridge and back across Carlton Bank. A pleasant introduction to riding without an ambulance at the finish.

27th Another lone ride, again from Clay Bank (well, I had to go to Stokesley and somehow the bike just followed me into the car). Went through the woods to Bank Foot, then up onto Ingleby Moor and back towards Bloworth. Over Round Hill, down Medd Crag and tarmac back to Clay Bank. An extremely misty day, nearly all the tops smothered in cloud.

29th Howard rejoined us today, fresh and raring to go, overdosed on vitamin D from the Angolan sunshine. Our new apprentice, Neil turned out, as did our old apprentice Chris. Things are getting somewhat muddy out in the wilds today, so it seemed sensible to stick with the stony tracks. From our starting point, a sunny and bright Square Corner, it meant an ascent of the Mad Mile, a bit of a shock for the apprentices but they managed with a bit of pedestrianism. We were heading for Hawnby to sign the petition to keep open the Post Office, for purely selfish reasons, if the Post Office closes so might the café and without carbs and caffeine, we’d never be able to climb out of Hhawnby. Once again some paper-shuffling, desk-monkey makes a decision based on a balance sheet without any consideration for the implications. Had a pleasant ride along the Drove Road, through Boltby Forest and down to Noddle End, followed by a speedy descent of Murton Bank to the café. After adding our names to the petition and replenishing our glycogen stores, Neil was treated to his first ascent of Arden Bank, to make things slightly more interesting we had a headwind. I hope he wasn’t too demoralised (at being overtaken by Chris). At least we had the Mad Mile descent to look forward to, worth every panting pedal turn.