Report by Graham John
(Points for Mike Willacy, Graham John, Trevor Bradshaw, Graham Reed, Dave Newman)
A rather wheezy and ailing Mike Willacy was at the start to make his apologies for not being able to lead the ride owing to a nasty chest infection. So, leaderless, Graham Reed, Trevor Bradshaw, David Newman and myself departed on the Torpoint Ferry. Graham Reed was not in the mood for the long ride originally planned "winding down for Christmas" he said and suggested we head for Maker for 11's. Graham R, therefore - and not Mike W - was duly appointed our leader for the day but was outpaced most of the time by Trevor and David with Rocket Shoes, aka me, Graham John, in hot pursuit.
The route took us through St John and up the long and familiar drag from Cremyl to Maker. We were hit by torrential rain on the ascent and arrived at Maker thoroughly soaked and ready for a good cup of tea. We suspiciously eyed the weather after a jolly good yarn and decided we'd head straight back to Plymouth.
We descended into St John via the first lane on the right. We were in an exploratory mood and this fitted the bill. In St John David knew yet another peripheral route in the village up a steep narrow lane back to the main road, effectively avoiding the traffic and hazardous bends
We followed on almost to the fort above Whitesand's Bay, but David knew yet another lane to the right, which took us (via Lower Tregantle) onto the main road (A374) to Torpoint east of Antony. And the rest's history.
25 miles in total