As I arrived at  Certini`s car park on a gloriously sunny day, I noticed quite a gathering which was most unexpected. Soon after my arrival Dave turned up, now there were six of us. Trevor, Graham, Yolande, Dave & John. John now out on his second consecutive ride with the group, having cycled down from Callington. He was going to clock up some serious mileage today. No sign of anybody else turning up so off we went towards Hatt, along Trevor's favourite motorway. Through Hatt with the long downhill run before climbing to the turning left. Now on very narrow lanes up & down all the way to Blunts. Yolande was out for the second time after a long break from serious cycling. So she had to watch herself today as there was some serious hills & mileage to be covered. After Blunts the usual route to Liskeard via Doddycross was taken, with John showing us all a shorter safer route into town. Well done John. Here we took refreshments in Wetherspoons, with stricter distancing measures in place. 

Now refreshed we headed towards the local British Columbia area with its tall conifers, stream & steep-sided valley as John so famously calls it. I must admit it is a lovely area in contrast to the farmer's fields on the way to Liskeard. Shortly after we started the seriously long climb towards Colliford Lake, & I was pleasantly surprised how dry the lanes were. Trevor was enjoying the start of the climb because of plenty of grass up the middle of the lanes. So after what seemed a long time of uphill climbing we arrived alongside Colliford Lake. Trevor remarked how low the water level was, not that there hadn't been much rain of late. Now going along nicely on a fairly level road, with views of the Lake & moorland sprinkled with herds of cattle here & there. I spotted a never seen before, group of standing stones, which Yolande may have taken a picture of? This is not an area to be out in when the weather changes (Bodmin Moor). Soon after Dozmary Pool to our right, we turned right looking forward to a short steep descent to the road alongside the River Fowey. A nice few miles of steady downhill saw us arrive at the Golitha Falls, cafe.

Now fully refreshed & on our way we were soon to take in Dave's pleasant alternative route to Pensilva. On arrival Yolande, Graham & John took refreshments in the Village shop. So Trevor, Dave & myself carried on through the usual places to Saltash. Here we bade farewell to Trevor, & carried on home, with 50 miles on the clock. 

​Larry

  Start today was Bovey Tracey cricket club car park & we had a total of 8 riders, Dave Newman text to say he was having trouble with his new car -Flat Battery- and hoped to join us later. We were over the limit for gatherings so had to adopt the social distancing rules. The riders were- Myself & wife Sue, Graham B, John O`Rourke, Dave Oatway, Les Prior, Larry, Yolande.
  With no sign of Dave N. we set off riding through the park to join the old railway line & cycle path, had a call on my phone Dave had arrived, so leaving the others to wait I set off back to pick up Dave.
​  Now all together and now totaling 9 riders, we carried on heading for Lustleigh, coming to the end of cycle path to join the short section of road to the top end of Lustleigh. Here we joined the new cycle path to take us up towards Moretonhamstead, at the start of this we met 3 cyclist counting us through, are we going to be reported to Boris for breaking the 6 number rule ? Arriving at Moretonhamstead we skirted this to join the cycle route up to Chagford along some nice country lanes.
 Coming into Chagford we were reminded that this was a market town, and had to wait while a herd of cattle was being driven down the main street. Looking around for a suitable cafe, they all looked to small to accommodate our group, so we retired to The Three Crowns pub instead. This had a nice area out the back so we picked our social distance tables to have coffee, well Les had a beer, and enjoyed the sunshine.
  Up till now I had led the group into a false sense of security giving them nice flat terrain, now was wake up time. We rejoined the lanes for the long climb up to the reservoirs, mind they were nice lanes, & when we reached the high levels  we were rewarded with some great views of the surrounding countryside. The first Reservoir we reached was the "Kennick" & two more followed, The "Tottiford" & the "Trenchford" we stopped for another break at the last one, for some to enjoy their cakes they had purchased at a roadside stall on the way up.
  It was now on the homeward leg back down to Bovey Tracey, the last bit a steep downhill section, where Dave N. thought his rims were going to catch fire with all the braking. In Bovey we called in to the cycle cafe where a few of the riders had never been before, to be rewarded with all the cycling memorabilia from way back.
  It had been a nice warm & sunny day & although we only covered 28mile, with an extra mile thrown in for me having to ride back to pick up Dave, it seemed longer due to the second section. But I think everyone enjoyed it, and good company.

​Trevor

   David Newman Andy Prideaux and myself

There was only three of us at Torpoint, the start where we met a young cyclist with his child in baby seat on the back of the bike. He followed us to Tregantle Fort, where he turned left to make his way to Whitsands Bay and we made our way to the cafe at Seaton and meeting John from Callington with the Liskeard club.
After a pleasant stop, Andy left us to make his way back and now the two of us continued on to sea front at Looe where we watched the holiday makers being mugged by the sea gulls. On the return journey we followed the Looe valley train line to Trewidland and then turning right through to Widegates and Hessenford. Here turning left up the steep narrow lane to Trerulefoot, where David said his good byes and return to Saltash. I then made my way through St Germans back to the start after covering forty miles on a sunny day with good company.

​Graham

     At  Plymco the start of my ride there were the usual four being , i.e. myself, Trevor, Graham and Dave. 
This week's ride would take us to Peter Tavy returning via Tavistock and the Drake's Trail leading to Yelverton
The coffee stop would be at Long Ash, Yelverton where we enjoyed  coffee sat outside in the pleasant morning sun.
Moving on and replenished once more, we headed to Horrabridge and the back road to Tavistock. At Grenofen we took a right  turn which brought us out to Plasterdown and the usual entertainment of model planes weaving through the air, was a pleasure to watch as we swept by.
At the junction of  Moorshop we crossed the road heading for Peter Tavy through narrow lanes. On arriving at our destination we parked our bikes and sat outside in the beer garden enjoying liquid refreshments in  the mid-day sun.
Suitably refreshed it was onwards and upwards  following route 27 to Tavistock on the disused railway track.
At Tavistock we joined Drake's Trail leading to Yelverton where we joined the cycle track to Clearbrook and bade our farewell to Trevor who was heading to Cadover Bridge for a well earned ice cream.
The rest of us rejoined the trail through Plym-woods and Coypool terminating at the Ridgeway for Graham and Dave. A pleasant day with 44 miles showing on the computer and good company.

​Andy

   Well soon after arrival at the Golitha Falls car park I had quite a good group assembled, including Paul & Steve.,Trevor, Dave, Les, Graham & myself made up a good group of 7 riders. It looked like the weather was going to be the odd shower with sunny intervals. Les was going to stay with Paul as long as his battery allowed. So soon we found ourselves passing through Minions with the highest pub in Cornwall. Then taking the lane first left after Minions to hug the edge of this part of Bodmin Moor, with outcrops of granite towering above us to our left. Soon after, a very scenic & quiet lane, we arrived to go along the motorway, sorry Trevor, road towards our turning left for North Hill. We had got to the hills by this point. Not that it was going to be a very hilly route today anyway. Soon we passed through some lovely countryside & arrived at Plusha & the first watering hole (Subway). Here we had a chat over coffee etc, whilst observing strict distancing rules in place.

Now back in the saddle, we headed along the more or less level lane to Alternun, & along the way said good morning to the horse riders out. Soon going under the A30 & down through Alternun & crossing the bridge over Penpont Water. Then to climb turning left to go along a very narrow lane in parts were eventually Trevor could show us how to cross a very dodgy Ford. I chickened out as I sport narrow tyres, but I managed to see Les going across. Paul declined the offer even though he had quite wide tyres on. Shortly after we found ourselves heading across Davidstow Moor into a yes you guessed it a strong headwind. Well, at least it wasn`t raining as well. With the cheese factory to our right, we turned left & into the shelter Davidstow wood, & then almost level going across proper Bodmin Moor. With wide-open areas, & plenty of granite boulders to slow any walkers, horse riders, sheep & ponies. I narrowly missed being taken out by a Border collie dog shooting straight out across the lane in front of me followed by its lady owner on horseback. Soon at Churchtown, St Brewards we all congregated in a small area outside the 11th century, Old Inn, pub. Here over pints & half-pints, we had the presence of a young chap going end to end in nine days. Yes, & with camping gear + solar panels on his panniers, Ah!! I wish I was twenty-something again. That would be a feat stopping at B&Bs/Youth hostels. After wishing him the best of luck it was time to get on with the final leg of our day's ride.

On leaving Churchtown Dave took on the mantle as he was more familiar with the route to Temple, & just before the bridge over the A30 to Temple, I managed to slow down a cyclist coming towards us. It turned out that Dave knew him from Callington cycles, bike shop. With reassurances that it was only a 500 metre of rough stuff section to cross after Temple. So after downing our rain jackets we carried on through Temple then arrived at the rough stuff section were E-bikes because of there weight, makes it heavy going during lifting over the two stiles we encountered. Mind you I did clean my shoes off in the long grass. It was decided to go along the A30 & come off at Bolventor, of Jamaica Inn fame. This was soon over, then going downhill alongside the River Fowey we arrived at the starting point, & I had 45miles on the cyclometer.

​Larry
​

    Arrived at station car park on take 2 of Sunday`s ride, cancelled the ride on Sunday due to a bad forecast, (as it turned out it was a nice day) for a promised sunny day on Tuesday. To be greeted by Graham B. & Dave on a dull day with promise of rain, seems Larry chickened out & Andy was having his garage rewired. Standing by Graham`s car the heavens opened up with torrential rain, so we took shelter in the back of Graham`s car watching it bouncing off the tarmac. When it finally stopped we took stock & Dave decided to hit it on the head, was worried about the slippy conditions with his narrow tyres and recent falls & return home. Myself & Graham with more sensible bikes & with the hint of blue in the sky, decided to give it a go & headed for South Brent. We made our way there via Aish & Lutton then up to Bloodypool Cross, then the back lanes to Buckfastleigh.
​           I was hoping to make our first coffee stop at Salmons Leap cafe, but on arrival found it closed. So it was plan `B` and headed for the garden centre at Landscove via Pridhamsleigh. Been meaning to stop here on other occasions but have always passed it on winter months when it was closed. It turned out to be a lovely and welcoming cafe with lots of cake on offer,( Larry you don`t know what you missed ) Graham and I thought it rude not to partake, and where given two huge portions of Apple & Ginger cake. We decided to sit inside because we noticed a black cloud looming, a good decision because the heavens opened up again.
From Ivybridge we had had a dry ride with the occasional sunny periods making it quite pleasant. We had an extended stay in the cafe waiting for the rain to stop before setting off again heading for Ben`s farm shop, passing a road cyclist thoroughly soaked.
        Arriving at Ben`s farm shop we thought it to soon to stop again having not digested the cake from the last stop & carried on towards Rattery. We bypassed this on some quieter lanes having only so far caught  only the odd shower and nothing to heavy, and headed for South Brent. Here we stopped at the new cafe for our second stop for refreshments, relaxing inside on some comfortable arm chairs surrounded by Railway memorabilia. Graham noticed they had washable face masks for sale, but at £15 each, we decided not to bother.
        Then it was the final leg back to the station car park after a very pleasant ride, having missed the heavy rain, first in Grahams car, then in the cafe at Landscove. There was 33.8 miles on my machine when I got back home.

​Trevor

  I arrived at Brent Tor car park, the start for five riders, ( Trevor, Dave, Andy P. & John Durham )  I was the first there after driving through early morning mist though I was confident that it would be wall to wall blue skies later. We set off towards Chillaton but before that we passed a impressive historic house at Sydenham by the river Lyd and I have always thought it looked as if it was straight out of a novel.
The route took us passed Dingles a Fairground Museum, then on to the cafe at Roadford Reservoir where it was lucky to find a vacant table outside because it was already busy.
 After the stop we headed in a northerly direction on the road to Holsworthy but before then at Sandymoor cross we turned right on to narrow lanes that made Trevor happy after some straight roads. The journey then took through some small hamlets including Stowford with its impressive thatched cottage then on, crossing a bridge on the east side of the reservoir then under the A30. From there it was a scenic route,   
I must have to admit- accents, it must have been a bit challenging but with a wonderful view of the moors, going down this time passng over the river Lew then a steep incline near Beechcombe Farm.
Lydford was the last stop of the ride where we enjoyed a well-deserved refreshment in the pub garden at the Castle Inn, then the last leg of the journey back to car park at Brent Tor

It was a good sunny day on which I hope everybody enjoyed despite the tired legs
Trip distance 38 miles

​Graham

     There were five of us at the start these were myself  Andy P, Trevor, Graham B, Dave N, and finally John O'rourke who'd flown all the way in from Callington.
Our  destination today was going to be  Newton Ferrers,
 Leaving the Ridgeway we were soon heading for Plympton St Morris and the dreaded Plympton Hill, with Dave taking the lead on his newly adapted electric bike, following through to Wiverton and Yealmpton, passing through Yealmpton we took a left turn and more lanes leading to Holbeton and eventually 'The Old School House'  at Mothecombe now an up market bistro where we sat outside in glorious sunshine and drank our coffees.
On our departure rather than taking the coastal road to Noss Mayo, Trevor suggested an alternate route that would get us to Newton Ferrers, I should have guessed there would be the usual obligatory hill, which there was, but hardly any traffic , I wonder why!
On arriving in the village we noticed  that the cafe on the green was up for sale which was sad to see. Passing through the village and heading through to Kitley we were to have our lunch at Ben's farm shop, again outside in the afternoon sunshine. On leaving we bade our farewells to John who was making his way back to Plymouth whilst we were heading  to Westlake and Ivybridge where once again we left Trevor bading our farewells and carried on back to Plympton via Cornwood. A good day out in good company, and with 34 miles to show for it.

​Andy

  I arrived at Blunts for my first ride in over two months and was somewhat apprehensive due to lack of fitness and the possible greasiness of the lanes after recent rain. However, I soon forgot all that when I saw a full carpark and a full contingent of riders which included Paul [an experienced cycle-camper and retired higher ed lecturer] and the recently joined-up Penny and Steve. Trevor, Graham, Les and Larry made up the rest of the group as the eight of us set of along the ridge road towards St. Ive, Gang and Pensilva.Just before the latter we turned left on a little used lane[mainly to appease Trev] arriving on the old main street of Pensilva.so that we could avoid the busy road up to Tokenbury Corner.This route afforded us easier access to quiet lane which runs to the south[and parallel] of the busy Crow's Nest lane and enables to pass the impressive portal dolmen of Trevivy Quoit. After a brief inspection we took the usual route through Diarite, Upper Tremar and Redgate to our designated coffee stop at Golitha Falls which was surprisingly easy considering the strange times we are living in. We were soon off on our way along the Draynes [upper Fowey] valley towards Bolventer but turned left up the steep valley side to Dozmary Pool. After a quick regroup we headed south along the eastern edge of Colliford Lake towards St. Neot. As the group were approaching the two cottages by White Barrow Down with me slightly in the rear. I rounded the bend to be confronted by the horrific sight of Penny sprawled on the ground in agony. Our newcomer, Paul, phoned for an ambulance giviing both medical and locational details in a most efficient manner[thank you Paul] in fact, a big thanks to everyone for the way they assisted until the arrival of the ambulance.

I must give credit to the residents of Whitebarrow cottage who provided Penny with a blanket when she began to shiver and aiso for taking care of her bike. After safely seeing her into the ambulance we decided to forego our cup of tea at Liskeard and head off straight back to our cars as Penny's husband, Steve needed to return for her cycle and then rendezvous with her at Derriford. As you might expect, our return journey was undertaken in a rather somber mood as we contemplated poor Penny's plight. We took the most direct route via Redgate, Diarite, Pensilva and St. Ive. The day began so promisingly with thoughts of moorlands and lakes in the company of a largish group. However, accidents will happen but it is hard not to dampen ones spirits somewhat. Thanks everyone for your company and I hope that it's not long before we see Steve[and Penny in due course]out riding with us again. The same goes for newcomer, Paul.

​Dave

  Arriving at the station car park I was greeted by, Graham B., Andy P, Larry, Steve & Penny, on a dull over cast day, but with the promise of sun later.
  We set off on a well tested route towards Avonwick & Harberton, I decided here to change our first coffee stop to the Nkuku cafe, to introduce Penny, Steve & Larry to their delights, making sure Larry had his bankers card with him for their inflated prices. On arrival we found the shop open but the cafe closed due to Covid 19, so it was back to plan`A`, and coffee in Totnes. We made our way there via Luscombe Cross then joined the cycle path alongside the main A381 before dropping down into Totnes, weaving our way through the back lanes to arrive at the Riverside Cafe to find they did`nt open for another 30 mins.So it was over the road to the Dartmouth Inn for our first coffee stop, sitting outside in a occasional glimpse of the sun to enjoy our tea & coffee.
  Fully refreshed we set off for Dartington via the cycle path alongside the river Dart. Reaching Dartington it was our first bit of rough stuff through North Wood before joining the Staverton Bridge road. We stopped on the ancient bridge for a photo shoot & for Steve & Penny to play Poo sticks in the river, also we caught  a flash of a Kingfisher after the small fish in the river. Mounting up on our bikes again it was to turn left at the station and head for Ben`s Farm shop, this had the normal restrictions that we are all getting used to now, so we collected drinks and retired to the benches on the green by the car park for our lunch break.
   On the road again to join the main A384 and through the traffic light system over the bridge and river Dart to turn right onto the Old Totnes road heading for Buckfastleigh. We proceeded through Dean Prior and headed for South Brent & then back to Ivybridge Station car park, before saying are goodbye`s for another week.
  Sods law!! the sun was starting to come out, we had hardly seen it all day, so much for the forecast again promising us sunshine, it seems just lately the best part of the day is in the evening, perhaps we should change our rides to 7 o`clock at night.
  Still we had a good ride in good company & I had 36.2 miles on the machine when on got home.

​Trevor