Report by Graham John
Anna, Sue and Bryan from the 'B' riders were at the start. I joined Andy Easton, Graham Black, John Durham and Mike Willacy. Elevenses were at Wrangaton, where John and Mike turned back. Trevor then took the lead. The weather seemed to turn colder and damper as the morning progressed and there was some rain in the lanes on the way to Totnes. Rather than slog on to Berry Pomroy we ended the ride in Totnes in view of the weather. After coffee Trevor suggested that we head back via Dartington and Week, taking us on lanes I had never been along before. He took us back to Ivybridge at a punishing pace - much to the delight of Andy, who is planning to do a 100 mile ride with young and fit workmates in the Lake District in June involving 4000 metres of climbing! Graham Black is making a good recovery from his pre-Christmas aches and pains and put on a valiant performance today to prove it.
For me the round trip was 57 miles - less for Graham B and Andy who cycled from Plympton and less again for Trevor, whom we met at the Hunting Lodge. I don't think any of us was sorry to warm up our toes in the warm and dry after today's rather miserable weather conditions. Roll on Summer!
From Mike Willacy:
Trust that you had a good ride after Wrangerton, my legs had had enough by the time John and I got back to Lee Mill so I really must do something about increasing my cycling miles/stamina. We did the loop round down the A3121, Kitterford Cross, Ugborough, Ermington and into the back of Ivybridge then the suburbs to take you up to the road to the junction for Cornwood then dropped back down to Lee Mill then the usual back to the Plymco car park. John has not been in the Plym Valley Railway station so I suggested that have tea and cake there as it just started raining when we got back to the cars, so not to forgo the chance we jumped in the cars and drove round. Alas, (and I must let George know this) the buffet on the station is closed all January and February but with great relief will open again in March. This has not been the case before and the chap in the shop said that he would register our disappointment. Nothing left to do but drive home for a cup of tea and get on with the afternoon job of sorting out the cupboard so I can fit my chainsaws in neatly again and John to drive back to Tavistock from Forder Valley.
Anna, Sue and Bryan from the 'B' riders were at the start. I joined Andy Easton, Graham Black, John Durham and Mike Willacy. Elevenses were at Wrangaton, where John and Mike turned back. Trevor then took the lead. The weather seemed to turn colder and damper as the morning progressed and there was some rain in the lanes on the way to Totnes. Rather than slog on to Berry Pomroy we ended the ride in Totnes in view of the weather. After coffee Trevor suggested that we head back via Dartington and Week, taking us on lanes I had never been along before. He took us back to Ivybridge at a punishing pace - much to the delight of Andy, who is planning to do a 100 mile ride with young and fit workmates in the Lake District in June involving 4000 metres of climbing! Graham Black is making a good recovery from his pre-Christmas aches and pains and put on a valiant performance today to prove it.
For me the round trip was 57 miles - less for Graham B and Andy who cycled from Plympton and less again for Trevor, whom we met at the Hunting Lodge. I don't think any of us was sorry to warm up our toes in the warm and dry after today's rather miserable weather conditions. Roll on Summer!
From Mike Willacy:
Trust that you had a good ride after Wrangerton, my legs had had enough by the time John and I got back to Lee Mill so I really must do something about increasing my cycling miles/stamina. We did the loop round down the A3121, Kitterford Cross, Ugborough, Ermington and into the back of Ivybridge then the suburbs to take you up to the road to the junction for Cornwood then dropped back down to Lee Mill then the usual back to the Plymco car park. John has not been in the Plym Valley Railway station so I suggested that have tea and cake there as it just started raining when we got back to the cars, so not to forgo the chance we jumped in the cars and drove round. Alas, (and I must let George know this) the buffet on the station is closed all January and February but with great relief will open again in March. This has not been the case before and the chap in the shop said that he would register our disappointment. Nothing left to do but drive home for a cup of tea and get on with the afternoon job of sorting out the cupboard so I can fit my chainsaws in neatly again and John to drive back to Tavistock from Forder Valley.