I ask myself - why does it always happen to me?!! I arrived at the start to find Graham B, Anna, Bryan and Caroline already there. I knew from early texts that Yolande and Graham J were on their way to the start. However, the assembled didn't go a bundle on my route out of Plympton up Boringdon Hill. And so there was a mutiny right at the start of my ride this time! I planned a route to prevent boredom setting in, as we frequently head up the track to Yelverton. Today I was going out across Cadover Bridge and around to Yelverton. The mutineers left ahead of myself, Yolande and Graham B as we were waiting for Graham J but he never reached Plymco as he tagged on behind them going down the Ridgeway. We (Yolande and Graham B) set off 10 mins late, stopped for pictures at Cadover and still arrived at the Knightstone tea-rooms by 11.15 - good timing I think as they open at 11 and had dealt with the queue by then! There was quite a crowd, some not at the start had cycled there from their areas to meet for break, so eleven in total, and a new CTC joiner mentioned on the latest list we've had - Phil Motley, who cycled there with George. Always good to see new people out with the group.
When it was time to go, various people turned back home or went their own merry way. Bryan wanted to do Ward Bridge but via the short route so although he set off with us he soon turned off for Higher Dittisham to Ward Bridge. Following my lead through Walkhampton and beyond were Yolande, Phil and George, and the two Grahams.
The scenery out there is fantastic, with tors dotted around us in the distance, and we stopped to admire the llamas of Sampford Spiney. Yes, we had some steep climbs, the toughest from Ward Bridge from a standing start after our lunch, but we all managed one way or another! We met Bryan once on the way round and then again as we stopped to deliberate in Yelverton who was going which way home from there. Graham J was going to show a few of us a back route from there to Plymouth avoiding the busy A road. In the end it was just me as George and Phil turned onto the main road again near Clearbrook. Not sure which route the others decided on in the end - possibly back down the Plymbridge track!
I was indoors by 3.35 having covered 35.9 miles today. My weekend total, having reccied the route yesterday to assess conditions on the roads across the moors, is 75 miles!
Graham J's photos of the day - the llama's adorable!
When it was time to go, various people turned back home or went their own merry way. Bryan wanted to do Ward Bridge but via the short route so although he set off with us he soon turned off for Higher Dittisham to Ward Bridge. Following my lead through Walkhampton and beyond were Yolande, Phil and George, and the two Grahams.
The scenery out there is fantastic, with tors dotted around us in the distance, and we stopped to admire the llamas of Sampford Spiney. Yes, we had some steep climbs, the toughest from Ward Bridge from a standing start after our lunch, but we all managed one way or another! We met Bryan once on the way round and then again as we stopped to deliberate in Yelverton who was going which way home from there. Graham J was going to show a few of us a back route from there to Plymouth avoiding the busy A road. In the end it was just me as George and Phil turned onto the main road again near Clearbrook. Not sure which route the others decided on in the end - possibly back down the Plymbridge track!
I was indoors by 3.35 having covered 35.9 miles today. My weekend total, having reccied the route yesterday to assess conditions on the roads across the moors, is 75 miles!
Graham J's photos of the day - the llama's adorable!
My photos below.
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