A good turn out for my South Hams Challenge on a beautiful sunny day, the total riders where 20, from far & wide Cornwall & Devon.I had - Graham B & J, Andy Prideaux & Sue Etheridge as willing marshals on start and check points with myself Dave N & Larry as Sweepers at the rear.
We set off heading for Avonwick and then Diptford to give them their first hill climbing all the way up to Christone Cross.Then it was on a nice ridge road past Stert Barton before a steep climb up to West Leigh Cross and the Harberton road, next little climb was up Yogi hill and then on to the A381,which crossed then down to Harbertonford. Here we joined the Bow Bridge lane giving everyone a break from hills for a while before climbing again up to Ashprington and joining the lovely cycle path at Sharpham Vineyard turning and headed for Totnes. Here we joined NCN 2 cycle path to Dartington and our first checkpoint/coffee stop - everyone had made it and joined the throngs at the Green Table cafe.
Dave, Larry & Myself waited for everyone to set off on the second leg before we departed for Staverton railway Station. We set off at a brisk pace hoping to catch up with the last group to leave, -a bunch of women, but there was still no sign of them by the time we reached the station, and we thought they must be going at a fast pace - But it turned out they had taken a wrong turn but still managed to re join the route at Staverton Station.We carried on at a brisk pace unaware of this and headed for Buckfastleigh with no sign of the back riders, then it was on to Shipley Bridge for the second check point. The front runners had already passed through but there were still a few enjoying refreshments at the new tea wagon that was there. Relaxing after a big climb out of Harbourneford and then up Brent hill, the bunch of riders we had been trying to catch arrived, and we learned were they went wrong.
It was then on the final leg back to Ivybridge, again Me, Dave & Larry waited till everyone had left before we set off. Just before Bittaford we were caught by the same group of riders that took the wrong turning on the last leg - they had took the wrong turning again. Back at Ivybridge Station Car Park everyone had checked back in safely.
It proved to be a successful day with lots of positive feedback, everyone said they enjoyed the ride and route. I think this has put Plymouth CTC on the map again with Devon & Cornwall CTC.
Posted a few pictures all taken by Graham Brodie,- Shaun East is doing a write up for the Highwayman magazine
Trevor
We set off heading for Avonwick and then Diptford to give them their first hill climbing all the way up to Christone Cross.Then it was on a nice ridge road past Stert Barton before a steep climb up to West Leigh Cross and the Harberton road, next little climb was up Yogi hill and then on to the A381,which crossed then down to Harbertonford. Here we joined the Bow Bridge lane giving everyone a break from hills for a while before climbing again up to Ashprington and joining the lovely cycle path at Sharpham Vineyard turning and headed for Totnes. Here we joined NCN 2 cycle path to Dartington and our first checkpoint/coffee stop - everyone had made it and joined the throngs at the Green Table cafe.
Dave, Larry & Myself waited for everyone to set off on the second leg before we departed for Staverton railway Station. We set off at a brisk pace hoping to catch up with the last group to leave, -a bunch of women, but there was still no sign of them by the time we reached the station, and we thought they must be going at a fast pace - But it turned out they had taken a wrong turn but still managed to re join the route at Staverton Station.We carried on at a brisk pace unaware of this and headed for Buckfastleigh with no sign of the back riders, then it was on to Shipley Bridge for the second check point. The front runners had already passed through but there were still a few enjoying refreshments at the new tea wagon that was there. Relaxing after a big climb out of Harbourneford and then up Brent hill, the bunch of riders we had been trying to catch arrived, and we learned were they went wrong.
It was then on the final leg back to Ivybridge, again Me, Dave & Larry waited till everyone had left before we set off. Just before Bittaford we were caught by the same group of riders that took the wrong turning on the last leg - they had took the wrong turning again. Back at Ivybridge Station Car Park everyone had checked back in safely.
It proved to be a successful day with lots of positive feedback, everyone said they enjoyed the ride and route. I think this has put Plymouth CTC on the map again with Devon & Cornwall CTC.
Posted a few pictures all taken by Graham Brodie,- Shaun East is doing a write up for the Highwayman magazine
Trevor
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