Page 54 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

Exercise SRETAN PUT
On Sunday 3rd September six overexcited OCdts met on the New College parade square, their luggage bulged with padded
shorts and Vaseline, to depart on a mountain biking expedition that would see them experi- ence the spills and thrills of scenic Croatia. The group was in the capable hands of Martin ‘The Mountain Tamer’ Cavendish. Despite a delay at Gatwick Airport in the evening, the team arrived on foreign soil in exceptional spirits – largely due to swapping drizzly old England for the more agreeable Adriatic climate.
The first morning saw temperatures exceed 30C, with clear blue skies all the way as the Cycling Seven cruised across Split to pick up their chari- ots for the week. Awaiting them were seven black and white specialised speed machines. Having observed the fashion in which the team rode away from the rental hut, the Mountain Tamer decided to issue a lesson on the basics of mountain biking aimed at the lowest level of abil- ity (OCdts Frost & Jefferies). Once the Mountain Tamer was content, the team took on a gruelling climb along the coastline. It was a tough slog, but the reward was what the group had dreamt of for months; long, hard trails!
As day one drew to a close, the team faced its greatest challenge yet: fitting 7 bikes into the back of our transit van. Thankfully, the hours spent by OCdt Strang perfecting his Tetris tech- nique at the back of Woolwich Hall came to fruition, and we somehow managed to fit these tubular pegs in the square hole that was our van. Once that was done we were on the road again
to the incredibly picturesque town of Sinj. A day of relatively easy terrain but greater distance, this day posed challenges much different to the last. After acquiring some local knowledge, it soon became quite apparent that our next stop would be the place for some adrenaline pumping downhill action, the destination being the border town of Imotski. After a pizza and a good night’s sleep, the group were up with the sparrows and made way for Imotski, the homestead of the gor- geous Red and Blue Lakes.
The less saddle-hardened of the group began somewhat gingerly, but as the day heated up so did our tyres after some ‘inspirational’ words from our expedition leader, OCdt Branczik. By the end of the day the bodies of the entire group were truly battered and bruised – none more so than OCdt Duggan, whose motto, ‘speed is your friend’, came back to bite him. The Red Lake offered spectacular views and even better ice cream as the team took a brief comfort break to regain glyco and hydro stores. After this night the team once again headed for the coast, namely the sleepy seaside village of Drevnik.
Drvenik offered some glistening waters, long flowing dirt trails, and some of the best seafood we had come across on the expedition thus far. We achieved most of our miles in the morning and early afternoon, affording us the opportunity for a dip in the sea and a chance to loosen the tir- ing muscles. Markarska was our next stop, and the group rode into town with panache. This was a dreamy ride with spectacular coastal views; a little known haven for the mountain bike enthu-
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