Since this is the first time that CTC Plymouth has organised this event for some years I was pleased by the support we received from other Sections. Nine entrants were at the start: Sue Etheridge, Patrick Hyett, Anna Bryant, Roy Russell, Glenes Pewzey, Robert Swayne, Lynda Swayne, Ruth Prudden and Dave Prudden.

The weather in the morning was disappointing - not all all what you would expect in late May. There was fine drizzle late morning and it was fairly cold for the time of year. I was pleasantly surprised by the Torbay contingent who dropped in about one o'clock for a warming cup of tea and a chat before continuing with the route.

The route itself took the riders out to Plym Bridge via Saltram House and then to Coypool and back along the lower coastal path in Saltram Park. From there they headed to the Hoe and William's Yard and back to the start - a distance just short of 20 miles with some very challenging clues along the way. Both the route and the clues had been ably compiled by Heather Boote, whom I would like to thank here.

We were fortunate to be able to use the Tresillian Centre in Cattedown, which was very spacious and well equipped. Owing to the CTC's charitable status the facilities were free of charge.

Many thanks also to Anna Bryant, who provided the flap-jacks, and to Caroline Sage, who had made some rock buns and who helped at the start, and to the East End Community Centre, who allowed us to use their excellent facilities for the day.

Report by Graham John:

The Section Tour to Cholderton was supported by twenty cyclists, including Norman and Ruth from Leicestershire, who were invited by Graham Black. The first three days of the tour were blessed with fine weather, and under Dave Newman's able leadership we were able to enjoy an extensive exploration of the Salisbury plains. The cycling proved to be a welcome change from relentless Devon hills with its almost no flat bits, and we were all pleasantly surprised by the gently rolling hills around Cholderton and the vibrant Spring countryside. Many thanks to Dave who rekkied the terrain and managed the rides over the weekend.

Report by Anna Bryant:

Before putting my name down for the YH trip I made sure Sue was going , as I am past fast and furious cycling and Sue does not mind going my speed.

On Friday the whole group left the cars at Amesbury cycled to Salisbury, Larry offered to take the passengers direct to Colderton, he promised not to leave me behind, my maps were in the car!! He stayed behind me all the way, thanks Larry.

Saturday started with blue sky and we decided to head for Mottisford Abbey. We went the direct way to Stockbridge foe coffee, soo0n to be caught up by the main group.

We left them again and cycled the beautiful Test valley to Mottisford Abbey, where we could have spent all  day. The grounds are vast, we concentrated on the house  and the walled garden, where some of their collection of roses were flowering, but we were just a bit too early for the majority.

On the way back we took the advise a local gentleman and followed a different route then I had inked on my map. We went a bit back on ourselves and then followed the Wallop Brook to Broughton and Nether Wallop on very minor roads with no traffic and very pretty.

In Nether Wallop we looked at the 11th century church, luckily there were instructions how to open the door. It was very solid and heavy and without them we would have assumed the church was closed.

From there we followed a little lane parallel to an air field back to the road we had come in the morning but now we had about 8 miles with strong wind dead against us, a real struggle. We clocked 37 miles, more then I have done for some while.

On Sunday we decided to look for an arts and craft fair in a village hall we had seen yesterday advertised. After doing a little circle on yellow lanes and nearly getting mixed up in a sponsored cycle ride we arrived at the hall in Quarley and went straight for coffee and home-made cakes before having a look round .Sue bought a lovely leather bag.

Just to show willing to do some more miles we decided on another circle of lanes, but we did not get very far. We found an open day at the Project Workshop of artists and craft men, so we stopped and watched glass blower at work, saw an amazing array of paintings, furniture and sculptures, one of them being commissioned for a war memorial in Belgium. It showed all the steps of casting.

By the time we seen all of it, it was well passed lunchtime and although we had sandwiches, we returned to the village hall to the home made food and had a delicious salmon salad.

We cycled back home along a little ridge road with margins full of cow’s parley and brilliant views.

At the farm we spent over an hour looking at the rare breeds, especially been taken by the two day old goats.

All in all a very pleasant long week-end.

Thanks to Niccy and Dave for all their hard work.

With Andy Easton at the helm, seven of us took part in today's ride to Prawle Point: Graham Reed, Graham Black, Trevor Bradshaw, whom we met at the Hunting Lodge, Andy Easton, Neil Crowley and John Durham - just returned from cycling in Majorca.

The route I worked out was a standard one - avoiding hills as much as possible because of the battery life of my recently-acquired electrified bike. We arrived at the Avon Mill Café in Loddiswell at about 11.20 am - rather later than I had expected, because John and Andy were setting a very good pace.

Trevor suggested a hillier alternative to my main-road route into Kingsbridge, taking us via a very, very steep hill to the A381 and then over on lanes through  Ledstone and eventually to Stancombe Cross, Sherford and Frogmore on the main road. I'd lost count of the hills we'd climbed by this time and was seriously worried about the life of my battery. The roads on the other side of the A379 were no less demanding and I reached East Prawle with a secret sigh of relief that I still had 50% left. 

We crossed the Dart in East Potlemouth and were ferried to Salcombe.  Trusting Trevor's knowledge of the area we headed along the coast and reached Marlborough by some very exacting hills rather late in the day at 4 o'clock. Ignoring the weak call of home, Graham Black and Trevor set off to Kingsbridge in search of more hills. 

The rest of us had called it a day at Marlborough and headed directly back to Plymouth. With every man for himself. John and Neil shot off at record speed with myself, Andy Easton and Graham Reed trailing behind. When I got to Plympton, I had 60 miles on the clock with 6000 ft  of ascent. The battery finally conked out within about 200 meters of my car.

Report by Graham John

After a day of bad weather on Saturday and a hardly more promising forecast for Sunday, I was not expecting enthusiastic support for today's ride. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. John O'Rourke - as good as his word - turned up for the ride in the company of Dave Newman, and a few minutes later Andy Easton joined us. It was going to be a good day after all.

I had rekkied the route a few days before and finally settled on a less hilly version for today. We took a right in Carkeel and made for Botus Flemming and distant Cargreen. We then followed the gated road along the very picturesque Tamar Estuary for a while, finally picking up the main road to Painters Cross. There was a short stretch along the main road (heavy drizzle at this point till Bohetherick) and then a right across the main road back into welcome, deserted lanes as far as Bohetherick and Cotehele Quay where we stopped for elevenses. As well as my usual cappuccino, lemon drizzle cake seemed the most apposite choice of the day.

The route back was via Harrowbarrow where we turned left to enjoy the seemingly endless drag up to the main Callington-Gunnislake road opposite Florence Road. There we said our "Goodbyes" to John and then made for Kelly Bray and the bench by the bus-stop with its famous, scenic view of the main road and abundant litter. 

Re-fuelled and invigorated, we made for Maders and took a left before Golberton to Trevigro and ultimately Newbridge. Dave mischievously suggested we go up the hill to Amytree - what the Australians would nasally call a "bute". With innocent assent and judicious use of my battery, I got to the top with still more than a quarter of my battery power left - enough to speed down the other side unassisted and use the rest to glide effortlessly to the Hatt roundabout and home. 

1300 meters of climbing. 38 miles on the clock.