As is often the case impromptu things are often the most fun and I must say Saturday's right was just such an occasion. It was a last minute thing that was organise via TBM's excellent forum. As i'd been on early shift all week the suggested start time of ten am sounds ok but it was a lot later than I'd normally opt for. Blather and Furby were nowhere to be seen when i got there so I went for a quick spin to give them time to arrive. When i got back Blather was talking to a couple of slack jaw locals. One on a MX bike and another on a quad (no helmet). After a few hello's and a few questions they asked if they could come on one of my organise rides and i had to put them straight that there was no way I'd take them anywhere on those bikes! They really don't understand what they are doing wrong, nice enough lads though but they unfortunately are part of the 'big issue'.

Early on in the day - everyone still upright!

Furby arrived and after a quick chat to another chap on a DT125? who came to look at the MX track we headed off for the day. Now that the few sections of the Ridgeway are open I took the operationally to ride a few of them. One or two of the lanes that make up this fragmented network are getting seriously overgrown now (more of that later). I led the lads down some lanes that I knew they probably didn't know and had a good ride as we headed in the general direction of Lambourn but not doing the Chievely route. We were making good time though the lanes round Lambourn and I offered Furby a go on the 450exc which he jumped at and once we swapped back he pronounced it "f*cking easy to ride through" the ruts. However the brakes are crap at the moment as i fitted some new pads and i think they glazed over as there's just no bite. It wasn't long before i had my first 'off' of the day. Not sure what happened, just clipped a rock or something and I got a bit out of control so tipped off. Nothing big, just a plop onto the ground after a few 'I can save this' dabs.

Going down Sugar Hill we when though the last gate just before the flat and as there was a couple walking in the field i took the main path that is notoriously wet and boggy. After a very short section I looked ahead and realised i needed to get out and saw an opportunity. Wiping out the camera I got ready for the other two! Furby got a bit swapped but kept it going but fell further on. Blather got stuck and tipped over in front of me but the camera chose not to work then so I missed it!

Furby going for it - it lasted 50 meters!

Furby again......Blather just about to tip over.... Furby calling for help!

Furby politely motions to the camera!

Furby pouring water out his boots......Blather .... Furby nearly having another whoopsie!

From here we headed over to the Cafe at Banbury Castle via the humpy lane getting air were we could with Blather nearly ending dirty side up on one of the jumps! The cafe was a bit of a surprise to Furby as he didn't know it existed. We all tucked into baps of one sort or another. There were a trio of TRF types there as well but they gave a mx gear a dirty look (!) and didn't look like they wanted chat. After brunch we carried on down the lane. Coming up to the first puddle for once I took the chicken route and went round the side as it looked deeper than normal due to the recent rainfall. Furby followed but managed to stall the bike. The ruts were so deep he couldn't kick the xr back into life so after taking a few photos I helped him lift it out onto the high ground and kicked it into life before jumping on and taking it the rest of the way. Now I must say that Furby and Blather are a photographer dream cos they are always up for anything. I said to Blather " Go on it's normally ok" so with the camera ready he went for it.

Blather half way through the puddle and it nearly went wrong!

As i was cleaning my goggles off the other two both set off at a good pace and as they were coming up to the next puddle i could see they were going way two fast for the depth. I must say that the bow wave when they hit the water was impressive, but the way they both saved the bikes when they both had moments mid flood was even more so! I had visions of drying out drowned bikes but all was well. A little further on I timed an overtake to perfection and absolutely soaked Blather - what little there was left dry! Riding down a few more lanes we headed back home taking a different route and i managed to have a fairly big 'off' going down a rutted lane. I clipped a rounded rock and that put me slightly off track into another rock and before i knew it i was upside down, bent double on my head - in three foot nettles! Now I'm normally very sure footed in ruts so that was a bit annoying but i had other things to worry about as my thumb was painful straight away, so much so that i didn't event think about switching the bike off. After a short rest we set off again but i had no power in my right hand but at least the pain from the nettle stings was keeping my mind off the thumb! Filling up a Great Sheford we head back via Chievely and got some good photos in the 'bome holes'. Furby bined it before that though and Blather went back to help him out - then fell off the xr bike while trying to start it!

Furby shows where he landed in the corn

Blather falling off the xr in sympathy

I went though the first large hole and before i could get the camera out Blather was already in trouble and pushing, so i ran back to catch him having a rest!

Blather already off and pushing before i got there and below - having a rest!

THE NEXT HOLE

You can see how soft it is in the first pic.... half way through and grip runs out.

Blather suffering from grip and going off line half way through and grip runs out.

I didn't do too well either - but at least i got it out the water on my own!

Half way and it's going wrong!

Well i managed to get it out the water before it went down!

[More videos from redbikejohn] 

Well after that the return journey was fairly mellow apart from being flagged down by a farmer that told us the police were waiting down by the track so even though we were all legal we though better of it and turned around and exited the Downs a few miles away. Who needs to sit around while mr plod checks tax tyres etc when all you want to do it get home and have a nice hot bath after a good day in the saddle? Thanks to Furby and Blather for letting me in on their day out and for being such believing sports when i say "go on, you can do it" with the camera ready!

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