Met everyone at Hunting Lodge, Graham John had a senior moment and had expunged me from the ride list on his recent entry and named Andy Easton as ride leader, much to his surprise. Having sorted out it was actually my ride,and a few still thinking it was Andys ride set off at a fast pace towards the cafe at Wrangaton, much to Teds dismay thinking he had joined in a race by mistake.
Having gathered all together at the cafe I informed them the first stop was Berry Pomeroy Castle cafe, so off we set again at a more leisurely pace.The riders, Graham Black & John,Andy Prideaux & Easton, Dave Newman, Ted Greenberry & myself.
We took the route down to Avonwick and then on the back lanes to Totnes, taking in the dreaded Yogi hill.Just before Totnes I usually take the track down Harpers hill,but due to some on delicate road tyres and not wishing to upset Dave, we joined the main Kingsbridge road turning left and the long down hill into Totnes. Here I chose the back streets and crossing the road bridge we turned right onto Seymore road and Pathfields then right into Weston Lane.This took us around the outskirts of Totnes to the T junction of the main Paignton road where we stood for ages trying to cross with a steady stream of traffic. Finally a van took pity and let us out to join the Berry Pomeroy road and then onto the Castle cafe.
There was a large group of ramblers proping up the walls having their morning sarnies, we got our table and ordered our coffee and cakes, well except for Andy Easton who ordered a large bowl of chips and a lump of cake + cappuccino. Ready to leave Ted organised everyone for his usual photo shoot, roping in some poor unsuspecting guy trying to enjoy his coffee as officilal photographer. Also here Graham John and Dave decided to leave us and head straight back.
I steered the rest down a offroad path down to the bottom road, thus avoiding the long climb upto the top road But I did have another hill for them to climb so as not to miss out.. We then set off on the country lanes to Red Post Cross, taking in the scenery from our high advantage point. Straight across the main road and onto Littlehempston, up another nice hill and ontowards Staverton. On the bridge over the Dart we came up behind a horse and cart in the middle of the bridge, with some stupid motorist who could not help but see him, joined him in the middle of the bridge. He just sat there for a few minutes, I don`t know if he was expecting the horse and cart to reverse, but finally after much ado cleared the bridge so we could all get on our merry way.
We climbed out of Staverton across the main road and turned right onto the Cycle track which lead us down to the junction of the Old Totnes road to Buckfastleigh along a nice winding lane, and of course some little hills thrown in.
We arrived at my next stop the Dean Prior farm shop to find it closed.( Please take note it is now closed on a Sunday) So we cycled back to the railway station cafe for our lunch. This time Andy Easton only had a small cake & coffee.
Having re stoked our engines we set off back to Ivybridge and the others onwards back to Plympton. I had 44.3miles on the clock,so the Pympton lot must have clocked up around 55 miles. But we had lovelly sunny weather most of the way.
PS.Book early for your christmas lunch so I can finalise numbers.
Having gathered all together at the cafe I informed them the first stop was Berry Pomeroy Castle cafe, so off we set again at a more leisurely pace.The riders, Graham Black & John,Andy Prideaux & Easton, Dave Newman, Ted Greenberry & myself.
We took the route down to Avonwick and then on the back lanes to Totnes, taking in the dreaded Yogi hill.Just before Totnes I usually take the track down Harpers hill,but due to some on delicate road tyres and not wishing to upset Dave, we joined the main Kingsbridge road turning left and the long down hill into Totnes. Here I chose the back streets and crossing the road bridge we turned right onto Seymore road and Pathfields then right into Weston Lane.This took us around the outskirts of Totnes to the T junction of the main Paignton road where we stood for ages trying to cross with a steady stream of traffic. Finally a van took pity and let us out to join the Berry Pomeroy road and then onto the Castle cafe.
There was a large group of ramblers proping up the walls having their morning sarnies, we got our table and ordered our coffee and cakes, well except for Andy Easton who ordered a large bowl of chips and a lump of cake + cappuccino. Ready to leave Ted organised everyone for his usual photo shoot, roping in some poor unsuspecting guy trying to enjoy his coffee as officilal photographer. Also here Graham John and Dave decided to leave us and head straight back.
I steered the rest down a offroad path down to the bottom road, thus avoiding the long climb upto the top road But I did have another hill for them to climb so as not to miss out.. We then set off on the country lanes to Red Post Cross, taking in the scenery from our high advantage point. Straight across the main road and onto Littlehempston, up another nice hill and ontowards Staverton. On the bridge over the Dart we came up behind a horse and cart in the middle of the bridge, with some stupid motorist who could not help but see him, joined him in the middle of the bridge. He just sat there for a few minutes, I don`t know if he was expecting the horse and cart to reverse, but finally after much ado cleared the bridge so we could all get on our merry way.
We climbed out of Staverton across the main road and turned right onto the Cycle track which lead us down to the junction of the Old Totnes road to Buckfastleigh along a nice winding lane, and of course some little hills thrown in.
We arrived at my next stop the Dean Prior farm shop to find it closed.( Please take note it is now closed on a Sunday) So we cycled back to the railway station cafe for our lunch. This time Andy Easton only had a small cake & coffee.
Having re stoked our engines we set off back to Ivybridge and the others onwards back to Plympton. I had 44.3miles on the clock,so the Pympton lot must have clocked up around 55 miles. But we had lovelly sunny weather most of the way.
PS.Book early for your christmas lunch so I can finalise numbers.
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