Five of us assembled at Ivybridge Railway Station car park on a cold windy day, Myself, Ted Greenberry, Andy P, Graham B,Dave Newman.
With Ted revving up his new electric bike we set off turning into the lanes at Filham to get out of the biting wind and headed for Strode, from there we crossed the A3121 to head for Sheepham bridge & the long climb up to Mary Cross.At least we were out of the wind and the effort warmed us up. It was then through the lanes to the Thatches and the tight left hand bend at Heathfield Cross where Ted & I nearly got wiped out by a big Transit van. Tragedy avoided with the driver saying he would get us on the way back, we headed for Chillaton Cross.Turning right on the Averton Gifford road and down to Idston Cross and turning left on to a new lane we had`nt tried before, this brought us out just before the Loddiswell road were we turned right on to another new lane & down to Knapp Mill. Turning left on to now a familiar lane crossing over the river Avon at Hatch Bridge, the lane still had remnants of flooding even after a dry week. We joined the Kingsbridge B road turning left and headed for the Avon Mill Cafe & our first coffee stop.
Here Ted decided to treat us all to coffee in celebration of the Corps ( Royal Marines ) birthday. they where formed on the 28th Oct 1664, so we all sang happy birthday to the Royal Marines.
Celebrations over we set off again on a familiar route to California Cross taking in Woodleigh, Preston, Gara Bridge & in to the pub which was crowded with Sunday lunch time diners. We planned to sit outside but the wind was still biting so we found room in the little snug bar, this was before Ted decided to lecture two women smokers outside on the hazards of smoking.
Once we had our fill of tea, with me choosing a pint of Jail Ale,we set off back to Ivybridge. The main B3196 was particular busy, so we turned left at Venn Cross for the quieter lanes back to Ivybridge arriving back at the station with just 28 miles on the clock. A good dry day with a mixture of cloud & sun but a really cold wind.
Trevor Bradshaw
With Ted revving up his new electric bike we set off turning into the lanes at Filham to get out of the biting wind and headed for Strode, from there we crossed the A3121 to head for Sheepham bridge & the long climb up to Mary Cross.At least we were out of the wind and the effort warmed us up. It was then through the lanes to the Thatches and the tight left hand bend at Heathfield Cross where Ted & I nearly got wiped out by a big Transit van. Tragedy avoided with the driver saying he would get us on the way back, we headed for Chillaton Cross.Turning right on the Averton Gifford road and down to Idston Cross and turning left on to a new lane we had`nt tried before, this brought us out just before the Loddiswell road were we turned right on to another new lane & down to Knapp Mill. Turning left on to now a familiar lane crossing over the river Avon at Hatch Bridge, the lane still had remnants of flooding even after a dry week. We joined the Kingsbridge B road turning left and headed for the Avon Mill Cafe & our first coffee stop.
Here Ted decided to treat us all to coffee in celebration of the Corps ( Royal Marines ) birthday. they where formed on the 28th Oct 1664, so we all sang happy birthday to the Royal Marines.
Celebrations over we set off again on a familiar route to California Cross taking in Woodleigh, Preston, Gara Bridge & in to the pub which was crowded with Sunday lunch time diners. We planned to sit outside but the wind was still biting so we found room in the little snug bar, this was before Ted decided to lecture two women smokers outside on the hazards of smoking.
Once we had our fill of tea, with me choosing a pint of Jail Ale,we set off back to Ivybridge. The main B3196 was particular busy, so we turned left at Venn Cross for the quieter lanes back to Ivybridge arriving back at the station with just 28 miles on the clock. A good dry day with a mixture of cloud & sun but a really cold wind.
Trevor Bradshaw