I got to the bridge meeting point, well before anyone else had arrived. Then Steve & Penny turned up asking me where the best place was to leave their car. This sorted we then had Graham B & Trevor turn up. Then just before setting off Dave & Nicci walked in to see us off. It was nice to see Nicci looking so good after their accident with the tandem. So saying farewell we all parted company, with us five crossing the bridge & taking the scenic route through Saltash. Thus avoiding most of the traffic. Soon we found ourselves crossing the A38 on the Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge, & then cruising along the road to Callington. It wasn't long before we came off at Hatt. Now on country lanes & soon the real climbing & descending started. Soon after quite a steep climb, we turned left & headed for Pillaton, & passed the Weary Friar pub. We all were now enjoying a welcome long descent to Clapper bridge, over the River Lynher. Then shortly after turning right, we crossed the Ford, then climbed up to St Ive. It wasn't long before we arrived at the first watering hole, just North of Pensilva. Here whilst enjoying refreshments we took in the panoramic vistas.
Trevor rallied the troops, & soon we got onto the dismantled railway for a nice bit of rough stuff to Minions. Along the way taking in the distant views across to Kit Hill, & Dartmoor. As we neared the end of the climb to Minions, Trevor managed to get some photos in, with the help of some other people going the same way. Soon arriving in Minions, just shy of a 1,000 feet & this was the highest point in our ride today. Now it was downhill more or less all the way to Sibleback Res`r, for another short bit of off-road cycling. Here it was noted how low the water level was. Soon it was onto the road to Golitha Falls for another refreshment stop. Here it was quite busy with Sunday drivers out & about now, & long queues for coffee.
Now refreshed we headed out along the Redgate to Dobwalls road which was not too busy, & took the second turning left after Dobwalls. This was grass up the middle type of road, ideal for Trevor especially as it went steeply downhill to Coombe. Followed by a steep climb to Liskeard, & as we went through Liskeard I noticed their Wetherspoons pub was open again. Soon after leaving Liskeard, it was onto the well-used route back to Saltash & the Tamar bridge. Unfortunately, Trevor's bike suffered a malfunction, between Doddycross & Pengover Green. It could not be fixed so Trevor managed to phone Dave who came to his rescue. Dave & Trevor passed us in his car as we were going up the hill from Notter Bridge. Soon in Saltash, I bade farewell to the others as they went on to the Tamar Bridge. Not many days you get wall to wall sunshine, & on checking the cyclometer it read 43 miles.
Larry
Trevor rallied the troops, & soon we got onto the dismantled railway for a nice bit of rough stuff to Minions. Along the way taking in the distant views across to Kit Hill, & Dartmoor. As we neared the end of the climb to Minions, Trevor managed to get some photos in, with the help of some other people going the same way. Soon arriving in Minions, just shy of a 1,000 feet & this was the highest point in our ride today. Now it was downhill more or less all the way to Sibleback Res`r, for another short bit of off-road cycling. Here it was noted how low the water level was. Soon it was onto the road to Golitha Falls for another refreshment stop. Here it was quite busy with Sunday drivers out & about now, & long queues for coffee.
Now refreshed we headed out along the Redgate to Dobwalls road which was not too busy, & took the second turning left after Dobwalls. This was grass up the middle type of road, ideal for Trevor especially as it went steeply downhill to Coombe. Followed by a steep climb to Liskeard, & as we went through Liskeard I noticed their Wetherspoons pub was open again. Soon after leaving Liskeard, it was onto the well-used route back to Saltash & the Tamar bridge. Unfortunately, Trevor's bike suffered a malfunction, between Doddycross & Pengover Green. It could not be fixed so Trevor managed to phone Dave who came to his rescue. Dave & Trevor passed us in his car as we were going up the hill from Notter Bridge. Soon in Saltash, I bade farewell to the others as they went on to the Tamar Bridge. Not many days you get wall to wall sunshine, & on checking the cyclometer it read 43 miles.
Larry
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