The riders for today were, Nicky and Dave on the tandem, Graham B, Andy E, Brian R, John and Jennifer in the car from Tavistock and Ali Crane, a new lady on the ride for the first time.
The weather looked like it was going to be nice for the day so we rolled out of Plympton in good spirits for the climb up the Ridgeway. Once all had gathered at the top it was over the A38 then left onto the lanes, then right down the hill past Blackpool. At Efford Farm we turned right to follow the stream, this was the first of many lanes that had a really good show of Blue Bells, Primroses, Wild Garlic, and lots more wild flowers in bloom, a superb sight to be seen. Down to the T junction at Gorlofen where left up a steady climb, after re-grouping at the top by the gate we continued steadily to fork left onto the lane that drops steeply down to Yealmpton. Over the A379 onto the B3186 to drop down over the River Yealm then climb up to the house that is just having it's roof re-thatched where we tuned right to drop back down to the T junction just north of the River Yealm bridge, admiring more wild flowers along the way. Turning left passing through Duslinch it is a long steady climb through the woods up to the 90 meter contour and the next right turn. Ali was coping well with the climbs and we soon re-grouped to take this minor road (that has recently been partly re-surfaced with tar and gravel) past Wrescombe then drops down to a stream where care had to be taken on the bends due to the lose gravel. Its a little steep after the stream then a steady climb up to the water tower at Butts Park and the junction back onto the B road to drop down to Newton Ferrers, then right for the steep decent to the estuary and over the bridge into Noss Mayo. We took the low level road through the village, past The Swan pub then round the corner back down to sea level and The Ship pub for our usual well earned 11's coffee and tea stop. It is really nice and tranquil down by the sea and a good time to to there before the Sunday lunch rush starts. With it not being busy we had lent the bikes on the empty seats and tables, soon after the landlady came over to ask us to move them, which was fair enough.
Ali was going well and enjoying the ride so once we were all ready for the road again I suggested that we go up to the trig point, which I had not actually ridden on the reky ride . To reach this we headed south up the minor road to Netton Farm then right onto the dead end section of road climbing up to 111 meters where it is marked on the map by the road. The actual trig point must be behind the hedge as we could not see it from the road, however it is a good view to Mouthstone Point and over Wembury Bay so worth the de-tour. Back to the junction and staying on the coast road you do have good views out to sea but only where there is a gateway as the hedge banks are quite high. An undulating run along to Battisbourough Cross spread us out a little so we re-grouped at the right turn for Mothercombe, as the planned route was to include this lane, which is where Andy E's front tire suffered a rapid puncture on my last ride to the area. Passing the 'puncture zone' with out a hitch this time, the left turn by the Pine trees is quite tight which meant that Niki and Dave on their tandem ended up having to do a few tricky maneuvers to get round the corner. Dropping down this double arrows, a tight bend and over the stream it's a long steady climb back to the junction of the direct road for Holberton. At the junction for Holberton I took us on a slight detour on the dead end lane (as it has grass growing down the middle) to Efford Ho them left and right to finally drop down to Holberton for lunch stop by the church and the Pub. After having sandwiches we all had a drink in the Colours Pub, the coffee was good but if you really like your coffee quite hot I would recommend you would be best to have of the beers/soft drinks instead. The staff and customers are really friendly and I would certainly recommend partaking of some sustenance.
As well as Ali now definitely feeling the miles but certainly having done really well for a first ride, Niki and Dave and Brian decided that they would also head back once nearer Ivybridge. Now suitably fed and watered we proceed out of the village north to Ford, over the river bridge and forked right between two thatched cottages. Another lane with grass down the middle up past Hole Farm to 81 meters. Turning left the lane goes through the woodland which had yet more carpets of Blue Bells to admire as we rode along to the right turns that take you back to the A 379. Going straight over we continued past Clickland,and Langbrook to Luson Cross where we turned right for Westlake. Here the others who were heading back sooner bid fair well, their route being left up onto Tod Moor etc back to Plympton. We continued and dropped down 3 arrows into Ermington. Time was rolling on and we were also feeling the miles a little so it was decided that continuing to Gara Bridge would be too far. We dropped down to the A3121 then turned off for Fawns and up to the left turn onto the ridge road that climbs parallel to the A3121. After a few miles and great views over to the moors this joins the A3121 at Wells Cross. Crossing the a road back to the lane then right, left, left at 165 meters. We were now on the run for home and continued through Hillhead Cross then right, down the single arrow, over the river bridge then continue to the Ivybridge Rugby Club and the B3213. Andy was now low on water and Graham's disc brakes were fading out on him so we called into the swimming pool to see if the cafe was still open. It was not so Andy and I went in to top up our water bottles from their cold drinking water container while John had a session adjusting Graham's brakes. Fully sorted we continued to Plympton the usual way arriving back at the Co-Op around 5. A great day out was had by all and the weather was great to, I'll have to think of a different destination for my next ride though.
The weather looked like it was going to be nice for the day so we rolled out of Plympton in good spirits for the climb up the Ridgeway. Once all had gathered at the top it was over the A38 then left onto the lanes, then right down the hill past Blackpool. At Efford Farm we turned right to follow the stream, this was the first of many lanes that had a really good show of Blue Bells, Primroses, Wild Garlic, and lots more wild flowers in bloom, a superb sight to be seen. Down to the T junction at Gorlofen where left up a steady climb, after re-grouping at the top by the gate we continued steadily to fork left onto the lane that drops steeply down to Yealmpton. Over the A379 onto the B3186 to drop down over the River Yealm then climb up to the house that is just having it's roof re-thatched where we tuned right to drop back down to the T junction just north of the River Yealm bridge, admiring more wild flowers along the way. Turning left passing through Duslinch it is a long steady climb through the woods up to the 90 meter contour and the next right turn. Ali was coping well with the climbs and we soon re-grouped to take this minor road (that has recently been partly re-surfaced with tar and gravel) past Wrescombe then drops down to a stream where care had to be taken on the bends due to the lose gravel. Its a little steep after the stream then a steady climb up to the water tower at Butts Park and the junction back onto the B road to drop down to Newton Ferrers, then right for the steep decent to the estuary and over the bridge into Noss Mayo. We took the low level road through the village, past The Swan pub then round the corner back down to sea level and The Ship pub for our usual well earned 11's coffee and tea stop. It is really nice and tranquil down by the sea and a good time to to there before the Sunday lunch rush starts. With it not being busy we had lent the bikes on the empty seats and tables, soon after the landlady came over to ask us to move them, which was fair enough.
Ali was going well and enjoying the ride so once we were all ready for the road again I suggested that we go up to the trig point, which I had not actually ridden on the reky ride . To reach this we headed south up the minor road to Netton Farm then right onto the dead end section of road climbing up to 111 meters where it is marked on the map by the road. The actual trig point must be behind the hedge as we could not see it from the road, however it is a good view to Mouthstone Point and over Wembury Bay so worth the de-tour. Back to the junction and staying on the coast road you do have good views out to sea but only where there is a gateway as the hedge banks are quite high. An undulating run along to Battisbourough Cross spread us out a little so we re-grouped at the right turn for Mothercombe, as the planned route was to include this lane, which is where Andy E's front tire suffered a rapid puncture on my last ride to the area. Passing the 'puncture zone' with out a hitch this time, the left turn by the Pine trees is quite tight which meant that Niki and Dave on their tandem ended up having to do a few tricky maneuvers to get round the corner. Dropping down this double arrows, a tight bend and over the stream it's a long steady climb back to the junction of the direct road for Holberton. At the junction for Holberton I took us on a slight detour on the dead end lane (as it has grass growing down the middle) to Efford Ho them left and right to finally drop down to Holberton for lunch stop by the church and the Pub. After having sandwiches we all had a drink in the Colours Pub, the coffee was good but if you really like your coffee quite hot I would recommend you would be best to have of the beers/soft drinks instead. The staff and customers are really friendly and I would certainly recommend partaking of some sustenance.
As well as Ali now definitely feeling the miles but certainly having done really well for a first ride, Niki and Dave and Brian decided that they would also head back once nearer Ivybridge. Now suitably fed and watered we proceed out of the village north to Ford, over the river bridge and forked right between two thatched cottages. Another lane with grass down the middle up past Hole Farm to 81 meters. Turning left the lane goes through the woodland which had yet more carpets of Blue Bells to admire as we rode along to the right turns that take you back to the A 379. Going straight over we continued past Clickland,and Langbrook to Luson Cross where we turned right for Westlake. Here the others who were heading back sooner bid fair well, their route being left up onto Tod Moor etc back to Plympton. We continued and dropped down 3 arrows into Ermington. Time was rolling on and we were also feeling the miles a little so it was decided that continuing to Gara Bridge would be too far. We dropped down to the A3121 then turned off for Fawns and up to the left turn onto the ridge road that climbs parallel to the A3121. After a few miles and great views over to the moors this joins the A3121 at Wells Cross. Crossing the a road back to the lane then right, left, left at 165 meters. We were now on the run for home and continued through Hillhead Cross then right, down the single arrow, over the river bridge then continue to the Ivybridge Rugby Club and the B3213. Andy was now low on water and Graham's disc brakes were fading out on him so we called into the swimming pool to see if the cafe was still open. It was not so Andy and I went in to top up our water bottles from their cold drinking water container while John had a session adjusting Graham's brakes. Fully sorted we continued to Plympton the usual way arriving back at the Co-Op around 5. A great day out was had by all and the weather was great to, I'll have to think of a different destination for my next ride though.
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