Cawsand - Graham John

I arrived at the ferry a bit early. Julie sent a text to say she would not be out. I was soon joined by Neil Crowley (good Irish name: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Cruadhlaoich, meaning 'hardy' + laoch 'hero' - just the sort of thing the Plymouth Section is made of), Mike Willacy, Andy Easton and too-late-to-catch-the-9.30-am-ferry Graham Reed, dressed in a fetching, flimsy white cotton top and obviously expecting tropical weather.

The mystery of Mike Willacy's rapid disappearances around mid-day on club runs was finally revealed today. It's his lovingly preserved Townsend and retro-style saddle bag - see pictures - you'll understand. Note the intricacy of the re-touching and delicate stitch work holding his quaint antediluvian saddle bag together. One can imagine this labour of love took not hours but weeks and months of dedicated craftsmanship. No wonder he had no time for afternoon cycling.

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Early on the weather looked promising but soon deteriorated and became cold and damp. Graham Reed, who had no sandwiches for lunch, now had a mission and made for Maker Camp at lightning speed, leaving me in the glorious twin position of leader and sweeper! With the rest no longer in view, taking the ford to St John's cut out one long hill, and Mike Willacy and I fortunately caught sight of the vanguard's rump wiggling up the hill out of St John. Thence to the B3247. Straight over and on to Millbrook.

Elevenses was at Maker Camp. I guessed it must have been the first time I'd been there since I was ten and a pupil at Knowle Primary School.

The weather had deteriorated even further on leaving the café. There was a stiff wind and steady drizzle. Initially we thought to follow the example of Graham Reed, who nota bene had no lunch, and make for Torpoint as directly as possible. But Mike Willacy, showing the true grit and determination of the seasoned cyclist, rose to the occasion and resolved to follow our original plan to follow the coast path along Whitsand Bay and beyond.

On the B3247 out of Millbrook, we said goodbye to Graham Reed and took a left to Withnoe Barton Farm. Expecting pastures new, we thought this would be an interesting innovation, only to find that this was the very road we had ridden from St John to Millbrook. At Withnoe Fm. we followed a path to the Freathy road, not quite knowing what to expect. In the event it was short, though muddy, and we soon found ourselves on the coastal road as planned.

I now had the bit between my teeth, planning to return to Saltash via Narkus, Trerulefoot and Notter Bridge. This involved one of the rare (?) 1 in 4s in Devon just outside Tideford, and Neil impressed us all by sailing up it without getting off. It was only 1.30 pm when we got to Trerulefoot and the Edinburgh Woollen Mill and 4.00 pm when I free-wheeled up my drive to an abrupt but well-deserved halt. 37 hard-earned miles on the clock and a good day had by all.

Thanks, Neil, for joining us and hope to see you again soon.

Report by Graham John