Six of us gathered at the Railway Station car park on this cold & dull day with a biting easterly wind, Myself, Graham J, Andy P,Neil C, Dave Newman & Graham B. To warm up we set off at a brisk pace towards Wrangaton, then turned off on the lanes passed Glazebrook House, skirting South Brent and up hill to Lutton and on to Bloody Pool Cross.It was then on the level with a few downhill stretches before a long down hill run to Deancombe, we carried on towards Buckfastleighon some nice country lanes, and thankfully shielded from the cold wind. In higher Town we turned left and headed for Hockmoor, it was then up a little hill ( big really) through Hembury Woods & passed the Hill Fort. At the top we turned left for Shuttaford and then Holne,on arriving we found the cafe closed, they had lost their chef,(any takers). Being a community Shop/cafe they rely on volunteers, the pub had temporary closed again, so it was on to Scorriton and the other community pub the Tradesmans Arms for coffee. We where first through the door at 12.01pm to a not very friendly host, perhaps they do not like cyclist gate crashing their Sunday lunch time trade.
After coffee and the staff rapidly clearing our table after we finished our drinks, it seemed a good time to leave. Out into the cold and on our trusty steeds we headed for Combe and then a long climb up to Cross Furzes, once on the level again we headed on a nice downhill stretch to Wallaford Cross. Turning right and more downhill on to Upper Dean & then to our second stop at Dean Court Farm shop, they were a bit more welcoming here, although the inside tables were all full so we had to sit outside in the cold, but at least sheltered from the wind.
We finished our coffee and all feeling a bit cold, we hoped the long climb out of Dean Prior heading back would warm us up a bit, but it was not till we got back to Wrangaton that it started to feel warmer. On arriving back at the Station car park we were all glad to get back out of the cold. The total I had on the clock was 32.6 miles.
Ps: no photos this week it was to cold to stop and take any.
Trevor
After coffee and the staff rapidly clearing our table after we finished our drinks, it seemed a good time to leave. Out into the cold and on our trusty steeds we headed for Combe and then a long climb up to Cross Furzes, once on the level again we headed on a nice downhill stretch to Wallaford Cross. Turning right and more downhill on to Upper Dean & then to our second stop at Dean Court Farm shop, they were a bit more welcoming here, although the inside tables were all full so we had to sit outside in the cold, but at least sheltered from the wind.
We finished our coffee and all feeling a bit cold, we hoped the long climb out of Dean Prior heading back would warm us up a bit, but it was not till we got back to Wrangaton that it started to feel warmer. On arriving back at the Station car park we were all glad to get back out of the cold. The total I had on the clock was 32.6 miles.
Ps: no photos this week it was to cold to stop and take any.
Trevor