Has spring finally arrived? Lovely night for a ride tonight, dry and dusty over the tops. First time this year I haven't had to wash my bike: just a wipe over with a rag and a bit of oil for the chain. 

There were quite a few of us tonight and we split into sort of three groups: fast fast, led by the Pickering Three; the creche, led by Nigel; and the social, led by Debbie. I say sort of as the groups kind of split apart and ran into each other as the night went on. 

First break was an unlucky fall by Mike Boag. Hackness Mike couldn't get around him, so rode over him. Well, his bike. A bit. That's so mean, Hackness Mike.  He was chasing the high pace set by Rich Simms and managed to stay with them as they headed off towards the Hole of Horcum. Nigel the Skills, Russ the Pliers, and me waited for Mike to get himself sorted, then we set off again, doing the red in reverse out to Crosscliffe. We picked up Lewis on the way, temporarily lost Nigel and Russ, then caught up with the social group. 

We spread out again, me, Nigel, Russ, Lewis and Mike Boag in pursuit of the rest of the creche and/or the fast fast group. It wasn't Mike's night though: he had a puncture.  The socials streamed past as we sorted that. And the fast fast group had gained about three miles on us by that point and decided to do another loop through the heather as we did our first.

We all came together again before we set off back. While we were waiting, we could see white lights strung out across the moor against the evening sky. I wish someone had had a camera. It looked great. 

The fast fast group set off again. I'd started with the creche, but couldn't resist and set off in pursuit. Rich, Stu, Dave, Captain Mark, Hackness Mike and me rode bit and bit along the dusty doubletrack, with Mike Boag and Dad Boag (?) not far behind. I got dust on my teeth there was so much in the air. Possibly I'll need to get used to eating dust. We'll see what happens when the races kick off next month!