Long time between updates

So it's taken me nearly a month to get around to another update, it's not really through lack of news but lack of time. Between tying everything up at work, preparing everything I need for Canada, trying to sell most of my stuff and occasionally getting some riding in I don't seem to find the time to update here at the moment!

Nearly two weeks ago now was my first go at leading a group ride "in the wild". It was only really scheduled as a group of us from Cornwall FreeRiders heading up to Dartmoor for a day of XC, but the ride kind of grew and before I knew it I was leading a group of 23 people! Although my only official position being the person who had done the ride before, with all the SMBLA and First Aid stuff I've been immersing myself in I couldn't help but feel a bit more responsible.
Despite initial nervousness I relaxed into the ride pretty quickly and everything went really well! We had 2 people head back to the car park fairly early as they were really struggling with the climbs, and one more headed back around half way thanks to a migraine. One minor injury happened, which gave me a great chance to use my new first aid kit without anyone being really hurt!
In the end the best part of the ride for me (better even than all the fast and rocky descents) was in the car park at the end when a good portion of the riders came over to thank me for leading the ride. I'm not sure I really did enough to warrant it, but it felt awesome to be in some way responsible for those people having a good day.

I think I'm going to like guiding.