I was late arriving at the start but was greeted by a veritable throng of cyclists. It must have been the improving weather which brought so many out. John and Trevor were away, otherwise only Graham Reed and Julie missed the ride.
Elevenses was at Wrangaton and from there we made our way to Ugborough, through the village, across the main road to Dunwell, the T-junction at the top of the hill, Shilston Barton, where we took a left to Mary Cross. Eventually we made it to the main South Brent-Bigbury road, the B3392. The Venue Café was packed and after a long wait we decided to forego tea and coffee and went on to Challaborough along the coast path.
We spent some time watching people make for a pristine, sandy island, which looked the epitome of some tropical, treasure island except – Graham Black remarked – for the lack of a chest and solitary palm tree in the centre. We looked on in trepidation as someone with a small child also arrived on the island with the tide rising. Fortunately discretion proved the better part of valour and they headed back to the mainland before the sea engulfed the island.
We took a hilly route back from Challaborough via Kingston and Orcheton Farm. Andy particularly wanted to follow this route because he had spotted that there was a 'Cycling Mill' along the way. Closer investigation revealed that the name - in very small type - in fact read 'Clying Mill'. It was a double disappointment, when we got there, to discover that the track leading down to the estuary was private. We forged on, through Ermington, back to Ivybridge and the classic route back to Plymouth through Lee Mill.
I had 36 miles on the clock. My newly 'electrified' bike had once again done me proud and proved itself on those nasty hills on the other side of Lee Mill. Without me causing repeated waits on all the steep hills, the run was relatively nippy. I averaged eleven miles per hour as opposed to my usual seven. All credit to my fellow riders, who, unassisted, were never far behind me.
Report, and pictures below, by Graham John
Elevenses was at Wrangaton and from there we made our way to Ugborough, through the village, across the main road to Dunwell, the T-junction at the top of the hill, Shilston Barton, where we took a left to Mary Cross. Eventually we made it to the main South Brent-Bigbury road, the B3392. The Venue Café was packed and after a long wait we decided to forego tea and coffee and went on to Challaborough along the coast path.
We spent some time watching people make for a pristine, sandy island, which looked the epitome of some tropical, treasure island except – Graham Black remarked – for the lack of a chest and solitary palm tree in the centre. We looked on in trepidation as someone with a small child also arrived on the island with the tide rising. Fortunately discretion proved the better part of valour and they headed back to the mainland before the sea engulfed the island.
We took a hilly route back from Challaborough via Kingston and Orcheton Farm. Andy particularly wanted to follow this route because he had spotted that there was a 'Cycling Mill' along the way. Closer investigation revealed that the name - in very small type - in fact read 'Clying Mill'. It was a double disappointment, when we got there, to discover that the track leading down to the estuary was private. We forged on, through Ermington, back to Ivybridge and the classic route back to Plymouth through Lee Mill.
I had 36 miles on the clock. My newly 'electrified' bike had once again done me proud and proved itself on those nasty hills on the other side of Lee Mill. Without me causing repeated waits on all the steep hills, the run was relatively nippy. I averaged eleven miles per hour as opposed to my usual seven. All credit to my fellow riders, who, unassisted, were never far behind me.
Report, and pictures below, by Graham John
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