`Cotswold Curse`Run.13^th February 2005.

10.30am – 1.30pm

Distance 80 miles (further for J.J.!)

Weather cool with a bright start, colder towards the end.

RIDERS                                               BIKES

Godfrey Mills                                        DRZ 400 wind sail !

Andy Downs                                         VFR750 bike no 1.

J.Jacobs                                                FJR1300 (sweep)

Dave Graham                                       FJR1300

Eric/Gill Bush                                        R1100RT

Simon `Hard Deck` Forryan                   1200 Bandit

Chris Padmore                                      GS1200

Jason Thomas                                       R1150R

Ian Stavert                                            R1150RT

Jason Coombs                                       Dakar

Pat Lush                                               CBF 500

Graham Bailey                          `Black Beauty`

10.33am, (alright, I know I’m late!)And I arrive at BEW to a car park full of bikes; well it looked like it, with that lot above waiting for me, a wonderful turn out to say the least.

8.30am this morning with hail stones batting against the windows, and Cleeve Hill looking decidedly whiter than last evening, my thoughts were along the lines of `oh well` I don’t suppose anybody will turn up today, how wrong I was !!.

With the Chairman somewhere amongst the entourage, I gingerly led the enthusiastic bunch up towards the white caps with the air temperature definitely dropping as we climbed.

With palms sweating from a combination of heated grips and Andy’s presence, my mind was in top gear (for a change, did I hear you say Budge!) as I hurriedly remapped the route in my mind due to the change in circumstances and conditions.

Our path took us through Andoversford, Naunton, down past the babbling stream at Lower Slaughter, into Bourton, out through the Barrington’s, swiftly through Bibury and eventually we came to rest at Greasy Joe’s in Cirencester for our mid morning calorie hit.

After the much awaited mug of tea and obligatory `bacon butty`, we all said our farewells and disappeared into the distance in various directions with the rapidity of a plate of prunes eaten 10 minutes ago!!

Seriously though, my sincere thanks to all of the above for turning out in such uncertain conditions, with thanks to Budge for not coming!, and a special thanks to J.J. for not only sweeping, but also for getting me out of the cack,that’s all I’m saying!!.

Capt Canary astride `Black Beauty`

 Aka Graham Bailey.