EMSSC 06
This weekend a group of finely tuned slackers from around the East Midlands and worse, gathered at a top secret location to battle for the dubious title that is the East Mids Singlespeed Champs.
In the early afternoon on Saturday, the contenders arrived and tea was swiftly brewed and slowly consumed, but at half two, we reached critical mass and group inertia pushed out into the weak December Sun.
A few tweaks and checks were made but we were soon off.
A chilled lap of Swithland Reservoir, took us to our first port of call The Griffin Inn, where quick liquid refuelling pit stop was supped.
Then we headed into a quagmire of a bridleway up to Swithland woods, took in some its finest Singletrack and had to switch our lights on to peer through the quickly on setting gloom.
Under the cover of darkness we headed onto the cheeky trails of Leicestershire’s biggest deer related tourist attraction and took in some fine cheeky action. This is where the Champs were to be decided, a “who can get the furthest up this slippery steep slope challenge”. After huge amounts of cheating by yours truly it was declared a draw. We would need another way to decide, one in true slack disorganised style.
We finished off our ride back through the mudfest that is Swithland woods.
Back at EMSSC HQ (also know as “my house”), tea was taken then beer tucked into whilst everyone defilthed themselves. Huge quantities of fried goodness was consumed and more beer and wine drunk.
After our fish suppers/pies/kebabs had gone down and settled a bit, the massive Christmas cake that Claire and I had baked was cut and sampled. It got thumbs up all around and I have no reports of food poisoning, that can be confirmed.
The crowd for cake grows restless.
We still didn’t have a winner however so we decided to have a chat about it. I got nominated and despite my shyness and modesty I was crowned EMSSC 06 champ.. However new EMSSC rules state the defending champ has to organise the next Champs! Stitched Up! However I do have the Glove of Love to call my own now (along with some very nice Sockguy socks to keep my feet warm (donated by Madison, not that they know it)).
More alcohol was consumed and tales of daring do swapped late into the night.
With bleary eyes, we set about subduing our hangovers with tea, coffee and toast.
Before:
After:
Another ride was on the cards today, a café run. After a bit of chilling, we set out and all eventually found their way to Beth’s Kitchen, the finest Organic eatery in all of the Midlands.
Big pasties, chunky chips and pink soup was consumed with keenness only usually found in starving animals on BBC Wildlife documentaries.
After the ride home our last guests/competitors left EMSSC HQ and Claire and I looked in wonder at our overflowing recycling bin.
If you came, thanks for wicked weekend, If you missed it, you were missed but hey, there is always next time.
Danbert
East Mids Singlespeed Champ ‘06
Photo's by The Placid Casual.
In the early afternoon on Saturday, the contenders arrived and tea was swiftly brewed and slowly consumed, but at half two, we reached critical mass and group inertia pushed out into the weak December Sun.
A few tweaks and checks were made but we were soon off.
A chilled lap of Swithland Reservoir, took us to our first port of call The Griffin Inn, where quick liquid refuelling pit stop was supped.
Then we headed into a quagmire of a bridleway up to Swithland woods, took in some its finest Singletrack and had to switch our lights on to peer through the quickly on setting gloom.
Under the cover of darkness we headed onto the cheeky trails of Leicestershire’s biggest deer related tourist attraction and took in some fine cheeky action. This is where the Champs were to be decided, a “who can get the furthest up this slippery steep slope challenge”. After huge amounts of cheating by yours truly it was declared a draw. We would need another way to decide, one in true slack disorganised style.
We finished off our ride back through the mudfest that is Swithland woods.
Back at EMSSC HQ (also know as “my house”), tea was taken then beer tucked into whilst everyone defilthed themselves. Huge quantities of fried goodness was consumed and more beer and wine drunk.
After our fish suppers/pies/kebabs had gone down and settled a bit, the massive Christmas cake that Claire and I had baked was cut and sampled. It got thumbs up all around and I have no reports of food poisoning, that can be confirmed.
The crowd for cake grows restless.
We still didn’t have a winner however so we decided to have a chat about it. I got nominated and despite my shyness and modesty I was crowned EMSSC 06 champ.. However new EMSSC rules state the defending champ has to organise the next Champs! Stitched Up! However I do have the Glove of Love to call my own now (along with some very nice Sockguy socks to keep my feet warm (donated by Madison, not that they know it)).
More alcohol was consumed and tales of daring do swapped late into the night.
With bleary eyes, we set about subduing our hangovers with tea, coffee and toast.
Before:
After:
Another ride was on the cards today, a café run. After a bit of chilling, we set out and all eventually found their way to Beth’s Kitchen, the finest Organic eatery in all of the Midlands.
Big pasties, chunky chips and pink soup was consumed with keenness only usually found in starving animals on BBC Wildlife documentaries.
After the ride home our last guests/competitors left EMSSC HQ and Claire and I looked in wonder at our overflowing recycling bin.
If you came, thanks for wicked weekend, If you missed it, you were missed but hey, there is always next time.
Danbert
East Mids Singlespeed Champ ‘06
Photo's by The Placid Casual.
Labels: bikes
posted by Dan Lees at 11:14 AM
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