Sue’s ride - loads out: me, Bryan Richardson, Anna, Iris, George, Graham Reed, Graham Black, Julie, Andy Prideaux, Dave and Nycci. Apologies to anyone I may have forgotten. Caroline was indisposed, getting over a cold and the rigours of Geoff Sharp’s Brittany jaunt.

Bitterly cold day with a biting wind. Plans were changed immediately and a new destination set: Dartington. Battling against the wind to Glazebrook for coffee and biscuits made it into a hard ride. We were all glad to get in out of the cold and after elevenses we split up in our usual fashion - some returning to Plymouth. Anna, Sue, all the Grahams and Andy Prideaux made for Shipley Bridge, another change of plans, where we had lunch. Graham Black and I headed back to Plymouth via Totnes, stopping off for a second elevenses at the little cafe next to the Happy Apple at the top of the High Street. Thence via the back road to Ashprington and through Bow Bridge and Harbtetonford back to Avonwick. Didn’t fancy the hike up the side of the dual carriageway or the slog up the lane flanking what used to be the Forest Inn. We followed the road toward California Cross, turning right and then following the ridge road to Ermington. Much care needed because of ubiquitous potholes. Got back to Plympton with 51 miles on the clock and was pretty glad to get into the car, which had been pre-warmed by the afternoon sun. Good day out, but quite a hard ride all round.

No pics to show, since I forgot to take the camera. Shame – because it was a good turnout: Clare Hamon, Caroline, Julie, Graham Black, George, Graham Reed, Larry Clarke. It was a bitterly cold day and I think we were all pretty glad to get in out of the cold at Louise’s Café on Kit Hill. We spent quite a long time there and then split up – Graham Reed, Caroline and Clare, heading back to Plymouth with the rest of us making for Minnions via Linkinghorne and Upton Cross. Julie and George took the lead, leaving me puffing behind.

On leaving Minnions, Julie discovered that she had a puncture. George came to her rescue, leaving Larry, Graham Black and me to complete the final leg. The idea was to follow the route of the infamous Kit Hill grimpeur to Callington, but as it turned out we headed back via St Ive and Quethiock, rejoining the main road at Hatt.

We were curious to know what had become of Julie and George. They stuck to the planned grimpeur route, but unfortunately George and Julie got separated, when Julie lost her rear light and went back to look for it.

The state of the roads is just unbelievable – pot holes and gunge everywhere. Britain is getting to look more like a Third World country every day. But Spring will be soon upon us and we can look forward to warmer and sunnier days.

Graham Black and I reckied a route on Dartmoor the previous day, taking in King’s Tor, Grims Pound and Kes Tor Rock. Through my reactolight glasses the Moor was range of gorgeous reds and browns. It was only when I took my glasses off that I realised that the colour shift was artificial. Not to worry. The Moor was spectacular anyway. Pics <here>

Click <here> to see the rest of the gallery.

After another strenuous 11-mile walk on Dartmoor with Graham Black on Saturday, I was wondering how I would feel on Sunday morning for the Section ride. But it seems that quite a different group of muscles or - more importantly - bones are involved. For the first time in quite some while I drove to the start and  arrived at Plymco at 9.10am.

Clare had beaten me to it and was already staving off the onset of hypothermia by vigorously winding up her eco-friendly bicycle light. By 9.35am quite an impressive crowd had gathered: Bryan, our ride leader, George, Grahams B and R and me, Sue - back from what by all accounts was a most interesting weekend in Cahéran with Dave Newman and Nycci - Iris and Patrick and Julie. No Andy this week to cheer us on our way with his repertoire of karaoke songs.

For a change it was a cold, dry day with good visibility and weak sunshine, a welcome change from the dismal weather of weeks past and with, perhaps, just the slightest hint of Spring in the air.

Caroline, who did not make the start, joined us briefly at Ottery.

Bryan took us along the cycle path at the back of Ottery Nurseries, hoping that the unfinished part of the path would be passable after the short spell of clement weather. The path was still in its usual, poor state of repair.

Bryan’s route took us into Plymouth via the SW coastal path and the Barbican and then along the Hoe to Devil’s Point. Along the way Graham B pointed out a number of interesting historical sites, especially in Durnford Street, which had been the home of both Conan-Doyle and Thomas Hardy, much admired by Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Afternoon-tea was enjoyed in the precincts of Prince William Yard, which I had not visited before. In the past it supplied victuals for ships leaving Plymouth and included a bakery and a brewery. In its heyday it must have been a hive of activity.  

Graham B, Clare and Graham R left us. I returned to Plympton to rejoin my car at about 3.15pm. Unfortunately, on the way back, Iris came a cropper on the cycle-path between the Iron Bridge and the Embankment, owing to uncut outgrowths on the path. Fortunately, she was not badly hurt. What with appalling winter weather and misplaced trust in  Icelandic banks, local councils are having a hard time - I think - in keeping abreast of all the maintenance and repairs now necessary.

 21 miles on the clock. Altogether a satisfying, if shorter than usual, run.