Rob 5B - I think I may have to hire a bike up there. What are the trails like? I don't want to trash my bike...I need it to get to work Simon A - How can you possibly need to hire a bike - you already have seven. Anyway didn't your mountain bike survive a six month crossing of Central America? And what about the bike you cycled with for three years from Hong Kong to London across the Himalayas? The trails are fine - nice easy tracks - your bike will be fine. Rob 5B - OK - I'll bring my mountain bike. See you at 4pm tomorrow, it'll be good to get an early start and beat the traffic - I'll bring my new bike rack too - that should save us some time...

6.20pm - Finally depart after lengthy attempt at fitting said new bike rack (in fact very second-hand and bought off eBay)

7.00 - 7.50pm - Stuck in ten miles of stationary traffic on the M1

Rob5B - We don't need anything for this bunkhouse like a sleeping bag or anything do we?

(Frantic phone calls to Rob M who kindly drives back home to pick up his spare sleeping bag...)

Rob5B attempts to fix puncture. Borrows puncture repair kit and pump from Simon but demonstrates lovely ethnic sharp metal tyre levers handmade by Indian blacksmith during epic bike crossing of sub-continent. Two hours later.... tube in ribbons - ... borrows new tube...

Rob5B (discovered trying to melt a block of frozen milk in a saucepan). I thought it was a fridge not a freezer...

Nick, Rob M, Rob5B and Simon A set out on the Classic Circuit of Ladybower in the mud, muck, snow and slush.

Rob5B. Brakes failed - much fiddling with gears, borrows new spare brake blocks off Nick, oiling of seized chain, pumping and letting down of tyres, borrows bike tool from Simon to change saddle height......

Simon A - I guess I wasn't entirely accurate about the tracks....

Zoe, Darija, Nan, Cath B, Clare and Brendon completed the Dam busters route. Nan was on a bike for only her second ever time showed more than admiral spirit only falling off a few times!!

Alix having had a 2 hour drive from Northants arrived in time to find everyone gearing up for a mass biking expedition (time to change the club name?) As she is officially allergic to all bicycles the only option was for a solo walk.

Her planned as 14km from the hut over to Hathersage Moor and back via Burbage Rocks, the Longshaw Estate and the river walk, it ended up being nearer to 18km and 7 hours mainly due to a long detour to avoid flooded stepping stones across the river. What's wrong with a little bit of wet feet Alix?

The boys, Simon A, Nick K, Rob5B, Rob M and Simon Coldrick (a friend of Rob M's) completed more brake trashing madness on the Mam Tor circuit. Less said about the parking in Castleton the better for Nick K's blood pressure.

Zoe, Darija, Nan and Alix took a stroll along Curbar and Froggatt edges and back via the woodland and river paths. No epics, just lots of mud.

Slacking contingent consisted of Brendon and Clare last seen heading for national trust houses of the Peaks. Cath B after serious shopping for ice axes headed to the lovely Chatsworth house.

Rob5B goes to work on his foldaway commuter bike