#317 - Report - 15/01/06 - Peter Cooper

After the festive lay off we always knew it was going to be hard to get back into the saddle. From past experience the area for this weeks hash was known to be tough – well those hares didn’t disappoint us, oh no! quite the opposite, we took a right beasting!! He had been away for over two years but he had not forgotten what to do! In fact there were some mumblings amongst last Sundays pack that he had remember what to do only too well!!! Peter (Cooper) ably assisted by Ross? (Peter won’t tell us his name?) laid an awesome trail. Big climbs followed by even bigger drop offs made some of Sundays trail un-rideable in places for some of the pack. On the other hand some of the boys were lapping it up. The soft wet, sticky ground did not help but no excuse – we will blame it on the turkey. Certainly a level has been set; there is a strong contingent who wishes to return for a re-run of the trail when it is dry. The uphill climbs would be easier in the dry – the monster descent would still be a monster descent what ever the ground conditions! Probably easier to push your bike down when it is dry though instead of sliding down on your bum as most people did on Sunday!

Peter and Ross certainly know their area. The trail was tight (how tight was only discovered when re-examined on a GPS [who said we use GPS on the bike hash?]). One hundred percent off tarmac and mostly off the gravel plantation roads as well, the trail led us a merry dance up and down hill. Hats off should go to our virgin rider Necla, first time with the hash, first time riding outside of Singapore, in fact first time she had ridden outside the East Coast parkway. Not only did she finish she was also seen to be smiling. Will she return though, that is the question? Next hash on the 12th February will be the litmus test? Will she be there or not - start laying your bets boys!

A good turn out for the hash saw an equally good turn out for the On On at Tian Lai Seafood restaurant in Geylang Patah. An old hash favourite saw an excellent spread including wild boar, cunningly discussed as black pepper beef – if only they knew??

We will be back on home ground for the next ride; something less taxing shall we say. Virgin hare Jan Chow with his trusty consultant, the old chestnut, Ned ‘Hash Flash’ Wanoa are conjuring something up in Choa Chu Kang. Between now and then however we have another festive season to survive, even longer at that! More good food, good wine, late nights. Peter Coopers offer to lay another trail (harder/faster/better) in Johore, may have to be left for a few months to give the pack time to prepare.

Those of you who would like to return to last Sundays location for a non hash ride within the next few weeks please let me know. On On to February.

Barbarian

Grand Master