Five of us gathered at Ivybridge station car park on this bright sunny day but with a chill in the air. They were, Myself, Dave N., Andy Prideaux & nice to see the welcome return of Rob & Brenda after having car & towbar problems of late, but where was Graham B.? Normally being the first one there. Finally got in touch on the phone & he was still at home too ill to leave the house, we wish you a speedy recovery Graham.
We set off for Wrangaton, but first taking a slight detour via the back lanes passed the rugby club to avoid the 4-way traffic lights on the main drag. There seems to be permanently set up traffic lights on this small stretch of road since they started to build new houses, It's starting to get like the Tamar bridge saga. Back on the Wrangaton road, we headed for Avonwick. From here we joined the quiet lanes to Harbertonford, then on the back lane to Bow bridge, climbing again to pass through Ashprington, before descending to Sharpham Vineyard. Arriving to find it all closed up, so it was plan `B` onwards on a bit of rough stuff to join the cycle path to Totnes. We came off the cycle path & the Steam Packet Inn looked inviting, so we stopped there for coffee, sat in the outside area overlooking the river in the sunshine.
Fully refreshed after some very good coffee, we proceeded through the town to join the cycle path again at Morrisons supermarket that lead us alongside the river Dart towards Dartington. At Shinners bridge we joined the road again & climbed up to Cott, turning right to pass behind the Cott Inn pub to join the quiet lanes up to the main Totnes/Avonwick road. Here we went straight ahead to join another bit of rough stuff, much to Dave's delight, the first twenty yards proved to be too steep & rough for most, so they took to walking. I waited for them at a turn in the track, which from then on was more rideable, back on tarmac for a very steep climb to join a very scenic lane towards Harberton. Here we stopped for lunch at the Church House Inn, where we sat in the churchyard on the grass enjoying our sandwiches & beer, again in the bright sunshine on a very warm October day.
Off again climbing out of the village to descend `Yogi` hill, then tackle the not so bad reverse slope & head towards Avonwick. Here we took the back lane up & down to South Brent to join the lanes for Bittaford, it was then back to the Station car park & our goodbyes, for me to tackle one more hill & home.
A good, enjoyable day in good company in very barmy conditions for October with 35.5miles on the machine.
Trevor
We set off for Wrangaton, but first taking a slight detour via the back lanes passed the rugby club to avoid the 4-way traffic lights on the main drag. There seems to be permanently set up traffic lights on this small stretch of road since they started to build new houses, It's starting to get like the Tamar bridge saga. Back on the Wrangaton road, we headed for Avonwick. From here we joined the quiet lanes to Harbertonford, then on the back lane to Bow bridge, climbing again to pass through Ashprington, before descending to Sharpham Vineyard. Arriving to find it all closed up, so it was plan `B` onwards on a bit of rough stuff to join the cycle path to Totnes. We came off the cycle path & the Steam Packet Inn looked inviting, so we stopped there for coffee, sat in the outside area overlooking the river in the sunshine.
Fully refreshed after some very good coffee, we proceeded through the town to join the cycle path again at Morrisons supermarket that lead us alongside the river Dart towards Dartington. At Shinners bridge we joined the road again & climbed up to Cott, turning right to pass behind the Cott Inn pub to join the quiet lanes up to the main Totnes/Avonwick road. Here we went straight ahead to join another bit of rough stuff, much to Dave's delight, the first twenty yards proved to be too steep & rough for most, so they took to walking. I waited for them at a turn in the track, which from then on was more rideable, back on tarmac for a very steep climb to join a very scenic lane towards Harberton. Here we stopped for lunch at the Church House Inn, where we sat in the churchyard on the grass enjoying our sandwiches & beer, again in the bright sunshine on a very warm October day.
Off again climbing out of the village to descend `Yogi` hill, then tackle the not so bad reverse slope & head towards Avonwick. Here we took the back lane up & down to South Brent to join the lanes for Bittaford, it was then back to the Station car park & our goodbyes, for me to tackle one more hill & home.
A good, enjoyable day in good company in very barmy conditions for October with 35.5miles on the machine.
Trevor
RSS Feed
