This ride was led by Andy Prideaux and the intention was to meet up with the South Hams Section at Avon Mill for coffee. At the start were Julie, Carolyne, Sue, George, Graham Black, Bryan Richardson and Graham John. No Graham Reed this weekend. Clare Hamon and Bryan Short were also out but only for a shorter ride and did not make it to the coffee stop. We set off a little later than 9.30am at a slow pace and Sue and I were soon quite some distance ahead of the others and worried that we would not make it in time to Avon Mill to meet the S Hams Section. Rather than take the time-consuming and strenuous lanes from Ermington to Lodiswell via Mary Cross and what used to be the Goat Farm, we took the more direct route via Ivybridge and California Cross. When we arrived at the coffee stop at 11.00am the S Hams Section was already fed and watered and ready to leave.

I decided to wait for the rest of the Plymouth Section, which arrived at 11.40 am,  before  heading off to Beesands. As it turned out most people had other commitments and headed straight back to Plymouth, while George scooted off on his own to get the miles (and the tea) in and Graham Black and I made for Beesands at a more leisurely and dignified pace via the lanes and the pretty village of Sherford. It was an interesting route, but as George had predicted, it took us a long time to complete because there were some pretty monstrous hills.  A particularly interesting part of the route was the unmetalled lane linking Buckland-Tout-Saints to Malston Mill (a highly desirable country residence set to lawn with swimming pool and outhouses … etc).  “That cost a bob or two,” I observed. Just past the house was sign “Eggs for Sales”. Somehow I think they must have made their money some other way. Nobody can sell that many eggs.

We had some difficulty route-finding as a result of broken-off signs. Could have been wind-damage or locals trying to steer traffic off their patch. Just before Beesands we met the S Hams Section again, on their return to Totnes and S Brent. Graham and I continued on to Beesands for a well-deserved cup of tea (or two) and some cake at the church near the beach. Payment was by donation.

We decided to bite the bullet and return to Plymouth via Strete - a pretty challenging route for two corpulent  and already rather tired veterans. This route took us via Blackawton,  Moreleigh, Diptford and Avonwick. The Forest Inn has now been bulldozed and we passed the resultant wreckage to ascend the hill by Zeaston. We were now near exhaustion; the flat bit at the top of the initial steep rise just past the former Forest Inn proved too much and it was time for serious refuelling.

We chose a grassy spot near a gate overlooking the picturesque A38 and containing one greedy white pony, which was inclined to eat my map in default of a more generous and charitable offering from Graham and me. Re-vitalised we began the homeward journey via Ivybridge and Sparkwell, both of us clocking 73 miles for the day’s efforts.

Sue offered her apologies for not being out. There were Graham John, Graham Black, Graham Reed and Christina, who joined us for the first time, wondering whether she would last the day. Unfortunately there were no other women out with us, so I hope she did not feel too intimidated surrounded by so many male veterans. Christina is a research student at Imperial College, London, and was already an experienced rider, having ridden with university chums in Cambridge. There was need for her to be concerned about lacking stamina.

As we rode through Saltash, we were joined by George Sandford whom we re-named ‘Graham’ for the day, so he wouldn’t feel left out. George had set out early in order to cross the railway bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1859, the year of Brunel’s death.

After leaving Saltash we made for Notter Bridge and took the long ascent up Frenchman’s lane towards Blunts, where we turned off for Trerulefoot and our first tea-stop of the day. At Hessenford I decided to take the main road up the hill, but the fine weather had brought the motorists out in droves and cycling slowly up the hill with a constant flow of cars passing was pretty unnerving.  I took the first lane on the left to get away from the traffic, which certainly took us away from the cars for a while but it was extremely hilly and in the end led us back onto the main Hessenford - Looe road.

After a very leisurely lunch in Looe we made for Liskeard alongside the Looe line, taking the lower route, which was very flat apart from one steep climb half-way along and the final haul into Liskeard.

We had made relatively good time and stopped for further refreshments in Morrisons. It was a gorgeous day, so there was no real hurry to get back to Plymouth. We took the A38 back to Trerulefoot. In spite of the fast traffic it’s quite a pleasant route with a good wide margin at the side for cycling. George soon took the lead and arrived at Windy Ridge before us and had already placed an order for tea. After brisk run from Trerulefoot to Torpoint, we arrived at the ferry at about 5.30 pm, having covered about 50 miles in total on a most enjoyable, social ride.

A brief account of Bryan, Graham and Andy’s ride in Brittany. We took the overnight ferry to Roscoff and arrived early Friday morning. The weather forecast was grim for Brest so we decided to go East. Keeping off the main roads we made for St Pol de Leon. Nice old centre with a grand church. We headed on to Morlaix by the scenic riverside route, very nice, easy riding and no traffic! Stopped in Morlaix for a coffee (why is French coffee so much better than English?) then continued to Lanmeur, Plestin and finally Lannion. Smooth rolling country roads, easy going and exhilarating, great views as there are no hedges! Only one long climb out of Plestin, but still no traffic. Lannion looked interesting so we booked into a nearby hotel for 3 nights. Spent the next day exploring Lannion and the nearby coastal places. Some vast beaches and fantastic rock formations, like heads of Punch & Judy. Went to see the puffin sanctuary on Ile Grande, but no puffins anywhere. Sunday we did an elliptical route to Treguier and back. All 3 days were fine and warm but Monday changed and we had rain and headwind most of the long ride back to Roscoff. Bit of a mistake to be so far from the ferry on the last day, not to be repeated! But all in all, a good relaxing trip, France is definitely a good place for cycling. Graham took plenty of photos which will soon be viewable by clicking his link on the left.