A fair sized group of us up at Sawdon on a lovely late summer night tonight - maybe 15? - so we split into two. I led the beginners' group, with Brendan as rear gunner, while Chris Tedman and Ian Squires led the social group. No fast group this time.

Mine and Brendan's group was six strong: us two, plus half the Baked Bean family (Marcus and Mum), and newcomers Sharon and Nick (welcome!). We stitched together various trrail sections - Dead Man's, the long singletrack spine that run's north (Jed's route?), then across to the viewpoint, then back through that bit of singletrack in the middle of the forest north of North Moor. Then back past the market garden place, over towards the pig track. Then back through the woods, down the road, and a last bumpy bit of double track (where we met Chris Tedman's socials coming the other way) before returning to Sawdon. 11 miles in all.

It was very muddy in places, so we had a bit of sliding around, particularly on that big of trail that runs south through the woods from the end of the pig track. It looked like a trail motorbike or two had been through there: there were big, deep muddy channels, really dug out and pretty difficult to ride. Brendan said he heard some swear words he'd never known from Sharon as she rode down there!

But mud apart, it all went well. No nasty offs, everyone finished together.  We were losing the light even by 8pm, though. Time for lights again.

Chris said his ride went fine, although Ian had *another* off and banged his bad ankle *again*. Get well soon!