I arrived by car at the long stay car park to find Graham Black already there, shortly to be joined by Dave Newman, Trevor had sent me an email to say he would be at the Hunting Lodge. By the time we went round to the pub Graham Reed and Brian were there then Ylonde and Sue arrived. Brian and Sue were doing their own ride as they had been to Wrangaton last week. After various discussions and much talk about the Tamar 100km ride a couple of weeks ago 5 so far headed out the usual way to meet up with Trevor. In Ivybridge by way of a change from staying on the B3213 straight to the cafe, we turned right at the roundabout into Woolcombe Lane then left right into Godwell Lane then right towards Filham. By the next junction Trevor suggested we go under the A38 which we did for the slightly longer way to Davids Lane and back up to the B3213. On my 'rece' ride on the previous Thursday I explored the lane through Redlake Trading Estate, however being Sunday the gates would be locked so to add a steep climb before the cafe I took us left under the railway viaduct. Ylonde missed changing gear soon enough on turning left so had to jump off the bike, I did not want to strain my left knee again so I decided to walk up along with Graham Black as well. The others were waiting at the top, it's a pleasant route along the lane avoiding the B road then at the thatched cottage we turned right to drop back to the B road and right to the cafe.
A couple of the Corinthian Club chaps were already sat outside in the sun, however we opted to gather round a table inside. While enjoying a Lattee coffee and a large slice of very nice raspberry/cream sponge cake I showed the gang my intended route to the Antique shop / cafe by the A38. All my best laided plans fell apart, as I it turned out that I would be duplicating the route that was ridden on the previous Sunday's ride and also to the same cafe. After discussion, Ylonde said that she has never been to Buckfast Abbey and Trevor said that he knew a good route to get us there and back to Ivybridge. On my reci ride I had not actually had time to finalized a route back from Buckfast so this was unanimously agreed as the new plan of action and finished our 11's.
Swapping onto 'Trev Nav' I then addopted a 'sweeper role' and we headed off into Avonwick down the steep narrow lane decent with an arrow at the bottom. We then followed the very interesting and hilly lanes passing through Rattery and towards Buckfastleigh village. However, nearing the village and while stopped to re-group, Dave was bitten by what he thought was a Horse Fly. Even though I was the leader I did not bring any sting cream in my saddle bag only sun block cream. We pressed, through the village and onto the Abbey via the hill which does give you a splendid view of it before dropping back down to the entrance and car park. Dave went of to look for medical assistance for the bite while we all wheeled the bikes round the back by the outdoor benches and headed for the cafeteria. Being a nice sunny day the grounds were quite busy but we were soon served and being lunch time I had the flan /pie and a pot of tea, very nice indeed (forgotten the name of it but will have to have another one when next there). Dave arrived back suitably dosed up with tablets and sting cream by the Abbey medical team, ready for his refreshment. After various photo opportunity shots had snapped we called into to the Abbey and took more photographs while Dave looked after the bikes. The stained glass windows really look spectacular with the bright sunshine pouring through, indeed Ylonde was not disappointing we had changed my initial idea for the lunch stop.
It was time to return homeward so on 'Trev Nav' we headed back through the lanes to Rattery , continued south via Mill Cross, over the A385 , through Shorter Cross and wanting to avoid Avonwick we continued to Diptford then over the River Avon and up an arrow to North Huish. Forking left by the really nice looking church with the spire on top of the tower the road descends to a tributary then a climb to Langford Barton then left to continue to Hillhead Cross. We decided to give the track a miss that is just after the junction then right for the last arrowed descent, over the A38 and on to the Rugby club for the fast B road drop into Ivybridge village center. I thanked Trevor for his most valued assistance in helping make it a great ride for the day and we bid him farewell. Where we were stopped was another group of cyclists having a rest stop and Dave started chatting to the group while we said cheers to Trevor. It transpired that they were on the last day of a tour and were continuing to Cawsands to stay at one of the groups house, before returning home on Monday. Dave suggested they follow us via the usual direct route to Plympton and then to Plymouth, which they took us up on. Once we were re-grouped we set of and reached Plympton on mass, Dave, Graham and myself headed to the car park and Ylonde continued on to guide them into town and to the Cremyll Ferry. All in all a great ride was had by all with the bonus of very pleasant warm sunny weather.
A couple of the Corinthian Club chaps were already sat outside in the sun, however we opted to gather round a table inside. While enjoying a Lattee coffee and a large slice of very nice raspberry/cream sponge cake I showed the gang my intended route to the Antique shop / cafe by the A38. All my best laided plans fell apart, as I it turned out that I would be duplicating the route that was ridden on the previous Sunday's ride and also to the same cafe. After discussion, Ylonde said that she has never been to Buckfast Abbey and Trevor said that he knew a good route to get us there and back to Ivybridge. On my reci ride I had not actually had time to finalized a route back from Buckfast so this was unanimously agreed as the new plan of action and finished our 11's.
Swapping onto 'Trev Nav' I then addopted a 'sweeper role' and we headed off into Avonwick down the steep narrow lane decent with an arrow at the bottom. We then followed the very interesting and hilly lanes passing through Rattery and towards Buckfastleigh village. However, nearing the village and while stopped to re-group, Dave was bitten by what he thought was a Horse Fly. Even though I was the leader I did not bring any sting cream in my saddle bag only sun block cream. We pressed, through the village and onto the Abbey via the hill which does give you a splendid view of it before dropping back down to the entrance and car park. Dave went of to look for medical assistance for the bite while we all wheeled the bikes round the back by the outdoor benches and headed for the cafeteria. Being a nice sunny day the grounds were quite busy but we were soon served and being lunch time I had the flan /pie and a pot of tea, very nice indeed (forgotten the name of it but will have to have another one when next there). Dave arrived back suitably dosed up with tablets and sting cream by the Abbey medical team, ready for his refreshment. After various photo opportunity shots had snapped we called into to the Abbey and took more photographs while Dave looked after the bikes. The stained glass windows really look spectacular with the bright sunshine pouring through, indeed Ylonde was not disappointing we had changed my initial idea for the lunch stop.
It was time to return homeward so on 'Trev Nav' we headed back through the lanes to Rattery , continued south via Mill Cross, over the A385 , through Shorter Cross and wanting to avoid Avonwick we continued to Diptford then over the River Avon and up an arrow to North Huish. Forking left by the really nice looking church with the spire on top of the tower the road descends to a tributary then a climb to Langford Barton then left to continue to Hillhead Cross. We decided to give the track a miss that is just after the junction then right for the last arrowed descent, over the A38 and on to the Rugby club for the fast B road drop into Ivybridge village center. I thanked Trevor for his most valued assistance in helping make it a great ride for the day and we bid him farewell. Where we were stopped was another group of cyclists having a rest stop and Dave started chatting to the group while we said cheers to Trevor. It transpired that they were on the last day of a tour and were continuing to Cawsands to stay at one of the groups house, before returning home on Monday. Dave suggested they follow us via the usual direct route to Plympton and then to Plymouth, which they took us up on. Once we were re-grouped we set of and reached Plympton on mass, Dave, Graham and myself headed to the car park and Ylonde continued on to guide them into town and to the Cremyll Ferry. All in all a great ride was had by all with the bonus of very pleasant warm sunny weather.
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