Team Flatlanders ...
Hi, it was a great day, but the conditions borded on the extreme.
The visitors were on machines that would not have been out of place at the Paris/Dakar.
Time, injury, etc meant early departure for the sensible three. Freezing temperatures meant backroad tarmack was covered in sheet ice, allowing the remaining 6 to show off pirouette skills, and some (inc moi), just to bin it along the road.
The trails should have been better, but beet lifting had changed the surfaces dramatically, with deep muddy ruts full of water / ice with no grassy edges to escape into. Sunny sections that gave slippery mud, slime, water and sand, instantly changed into solid ruts, ridges and ice in the shade.
The usual "soak thy mate", by slamming through a big puddle next to him, ended up with, 'watch out for flying shards of ice'. Bikes were parked in trees and one turned into a virtual submarine, but all had a great day that only finished when 'light stopped play'.
These guys, have certainly earned the Honorary 'Team Flatlanders' status.
The next planned run is probably on the 29th.

We hope to include some of the less known trails, (and yes this time we will stop for coffee photos fags etc.)
Again thanks to all, specially Halfpint for arranging the ride and acting as sweeper on the day.
Regards Richard
ps BE WARY OF WATER HOLES AS THEY ARE BEING SPIKED WITH METAL CONCRETE ETC
Probably explains the 3" nail sticking out of my tyre when I got home