#323 - Report - 21/05 /06 - Graeme Douglas, Ned Wanoa, Hugh Sutherland.

Of late there have been some mutterings, well groanings actually, at the length/difficulty/terrain of some recent bike hashes. Well Sunday’s ride put the FUN back into the hash. A thoroughly enjoyable trail, ride, circle, On On and On On On proved an excellent day out. The fact that it may have been one of the biggest packs ever, possibly only eclipsed in recent history by the 300th ride in January 2005, is surely proof that “something is going right?”

Billed as the Old Farts ride (well by the Grand Master anyway) we had three official hares, Ned ‘Hash Flash’, ‘No Cups’ and Graeme Douglas who, in the event, couldn’t make it, one stand in hare – John Edwards and a hare groupie – FSB (that’s Fat Stuck B*st*rd for those of you who haven’t been paying attention). Under the watchful eye of the old chestnut himself the hares had laid a deceivingly simple trail around the Sembawang area but which took us through some very nice riding sections and some new trail. The ‘green areas’ were joined up by bits of tarmac which provided fast sections for the boys who wanted to give it a blast. Strung together it was one hour four forty five minutes of very pleasant riding. The side visit to the thermal springs an eye opener for all present, I mean it wasn’t exactly ‘Old Faithful’ but for every one there even the idea that there could be thermal springs in Singapore was a shock – even more so to all the Singaporeans who were absolutely astounded - but then again there is no mystery there!

The early return to the car park meant an early circle which then turned into a long (ish circle) – with that number of riders there are a lot of charges to get through! Highlight of the day of course must go the first class display of exhibitionism from Nick who had decided that he wanted to walk around topless, nothing wrong with that you might say? Apart from the fact that he has recent covered himself in some funny markings which screamed out “Look at me I’ve just had a tattoo!” ……… he was right in one thing though, the tattoos certainly ‘scream out at you’ – although possibly not in the way that Nick thought?

It was good to see such a large turn out of virgins/second time virgins (do they make such a beast??)/renewing members/returning ex members, visitors, sixteen in total so welcome/welcome back to Brooks, Chris, Jim, Magnus, Mike, Niels, Pete/Andy, Hannah/David, John/Henry, Loreen/Thomas, Trevor. It was also a sad day as we saw the departure of Pete ‘Skidmark’ Bloomer – the Tandem King (although with only one wife and two kids [well that we know of anyway?] you would wonder why he would want five that’s right 5 tandems??? – then again you don’t become the Tandem King with an East Coast Parkway rental in your shed!! do you?) – who is leaving us to set up shop in Brisbane.

Do they have a bike hash? Do they have a tandem club? So many questions, so much to learn? We wish him well and look forward to our first SBH Outstation Ride with the newly formed BBH3 (Brisbane Bike Hash). An excellent, well attended, lunch then saw approximately twenty hashers move on to the Nelson Bar for the On On On. An amazing place, if only for the fact that they “don’t quite make them like this any more!” traditionally frequented by matlots (that’s people in the Navy for those of you unfamiliar with the term) who have left their ‘mark’ on the bar, in more ways then one so to speak.

Thank you hares for an excellent day out. We now look forward eagerly to the next ride in Malaysia on June 11th which is being set by Bob, Manny, Mike and Paul (although rumour control has it that Bob might be whimping out – something about constructive knee surgery [what ever that means?] and the after effects. – talk to David K an expert on the subject).

On On

Barbarian

Grand Master