Cambridgeshire Scouts

The June 07 CMC trip was to the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales with 10 Scouts from 2nd St. Ives, Gateway and EBC and 6 leaders attending. For the first time in a few years there was the opportunity for the scouts to experience 'proper' Mountain Biking in the hills, a very different prospect from riding around the fens! Of the 16 attending 12 decided that they were up to the challenge of tackling the hills on two wheels under the guidance of two of the CMC's new Mountain Bike Leaders.

The trip was the first chance for Jamie & Mark to use their skills in guiding and instructing the Scouts on bikes. The pair, along with two others from the district, became the first in the country to be assessed for and gain a Mountain Biking Leading permit under the new Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme back in April.

After a fairly straightforward journey on the Friday night (only driving past the building once before finding it!), and a good nights sleep (well some!) it was all too soon to be woken up at 6:45 for breakfast.

After a hearty meal it was time to get prepared for a day in the mountains and the two girls from EBC set off with two leaders to head into the hills on foot. Unfortunately those biking had to endure the swarms of biting midges whilst the bikes were checked over before they set off in two groups on their two-wheeled expedition.

During the ride, which was the first real off road biking that most of the riders had experienced, the groups had the chance to learn some riding skills and get muddy riding through the many puddles along the trail. After a good mornings riding, mostly uphill, it was time to stop off at an old quarry and take shelter from a passing shower for a well earned lunch break. Once the shower had passed it was time to get back in the saddle again and after a bit more uphill the fun part began- as the saying goes, "what goes up must come down"!

Riding along the muddy bridleway with very little grip led many, including the leaders, to fall off with one Scout coming very close to finding out what sheep poo tastes like! With no damage done and after much laughter it was time for the big decent of the day down to the village of Pontsticill with a bit more up hill before costing down the road for a couple of miles back to the building.

After cleaning the bikes and having a shower is was time for dinner. Once PG had finished off the remaining lasagne (no surprise there) and in what must be a first - Scouts willingly washing up - a hard choice was to be made, crawl into the sleeping bag for an early night or to fight the tiredness and stay up to watch a film, predictably most of the Scouts stayed up!

After a long day on the hill the day before (and staying up to watch Mr. 007 in action) folks were a bit wearier on Sunday morning. With breakfast duly dispatched it was once again time to get prepared and head out into the hills. The walking group headed out on a short walk whilst the bikers were once again bitten alive whilst adjusting brakes and gears before setting off.

Sundays ride was a reversal of the start of the previous day's route after following in the footsteps of the walkers from the previous day. Progress was slow going up hill straight away after a good breakfast but once suitably warmed up the going got easier and soon it was time to tackle what were the up hill bits on the Saturday.

Everybody agreed that the hills were much more fun going down and after giving the breaks a good testing it was time for a long steady climb along the forest track where One Scout's bike decided it didn't like the gears which duly exploded! Luckily his dad was on hand to take turns in pushing it to the top. After another long down hill on the road is was back to the building to pack up before heading off home.

Everybody had a great time during the weekend and those that went biking really improved over the two days and hopefully they'll be on future trips …………