7 of us turned up at Ivybridge Railway car park on this glorious sunny day, Myself, Sue, Dave, Graham B., Andy & Rob and Brenda. We got under way and headed for the Rugby Club, then down through Filham on the nice, quiet lanes. Making our way towards Ludbrook before swinging a left for the long climb up to Ugborough, then the ridge road to take a right at Forder Cross & down to cross the A3121. Back on the lanes & another climb to hit the B3196, we did a loop here before crossing the same road again at Marridge Cross & headed for Witchcombe. Continuing along this sometimes muddy lane to arrive at our first stop, "Calancome Estate & Vineyard", to be greeted by the owners Caroline, Lance & lovely helper Jess. They made us very welcome, arranging a long table for us to sit at, we had some of their excellent coffee & they fed us free mince pies. After an enjoyable chat, learning about their new venture, they had only been open a few months, nobody wanted to leave.
But we bit the bullet & climbed on our bikes again to tackle the muddy lane and climbs up to the main roads. Back on clean roads, we made our way to Chillaton Cross to take a left & head for the Loddiswell road. After a short stretch, we turned down to Topsham Bridge and the long down hill section. Stopping on the bridge for a photo shoot, we made our way up the not so steep climb to Preston Cross, then down another long downhill run to cross Gara Bridge. It was then a steady climb up to our second stop at the California Inn, getting the beers in, we sat outside in the sunshine to eat our lunch.
Fully refreshed & full it was time to mount up again, though we still had bright blue skies & sunshine, the temperature had started to drop a bit. We took a left by the pub & made for Brownston, Mary Cross & then down to Sheepham Bridge. From here a bit of a climb making our way to Ermington, then on the busy `B` road to Ivybridge. Before we hit the village, I took them on a prettier route through Filham Park & the back way up to the Rugby club.
We said our goodbyes here, Andy heading back to Plympton, Sue & I to head home, the others to pick up their cars from the station. With around 30 miles on the clock & wonderful day's ride plus great company.
Trevor
But we bit the bullet & climbed on our bikes again to tackle the muddy lane and climbs up to the main roads. Back on clean roads, we made our way to Chillaton Cross to take a left & head for the Loddiswell road. After a short stretch, we turned down to Topsham Bridge and the long down hill section. Stopping on the bridge for a photo shoot, we made our way up the not so steep climb to Preston Cross, then down another long downhill run to cross Gara Bridge. It was then a steady climb up to our second stop at the California Inn, getting the beers in, we sat outside in the sunshine to eat our lunch.
Fully refreshed & full it was time to mount up again, though we still had bright blue skies & sunshine, the temperature had started to drop a bit. We took a left by the pub & made for Brownston, Mary Cross & then down to Sheepham Bridge. From here a bit of a climb making our way to Ermington, then on the busy `B` road to Ivybridge. Before we hit the village, I took them on a prettier route through Filham Park & the back way up to the Rugby club.
We said our goodbyes here, Andy heading back to Plympton, Sue & I to head home, the others to pick up their cars from the station. With around 30 miles on the clock & wonderful day's ride plus great company.
Trevor
RSS Feed
