As is mostly customary these days we were at least a quarter of an hour late setting off from Plymco. It had been raining quite hard early morning and as I arrived at the start it was easing off but I already knew from a few texts that some people had been put off by the weather. By 9.30 only Jean had arrived, but I knew Bryan was definately coming. However, giving them a few minutes grace worked, and I set off down the Ridgeway towards the Plym track with Jean, Bryan R and Andy P. On the track Andy E caught us up and by the time we neared the end of the track Bryan S had also caught us up. When we reached our cafe stop the “Knightstone” we discovered it was closed for a weeks holiday so we then went to the Garden Centre at Long Ash, and the “open” sign was lit up to welcome us! Although it was a very blustery day we found a sheltered spot outside and enjoyed a welcome hot drink.  

From bottom left clockwise: Bryan R, Andy E, Andy P, Jean and Bryan S. From there we got on Drakes Trail and went to investigate the progress with the Gem Bridge – very impressive indeed, but the trail is very dirty with all the construction silt at the moment. We were not keeping good time on this ride so by the time we got to the London Inn it was already 1.20. A little disappointed that Larry had not joined us for the ride when it was he mainly who campaigned for a pub stop! (However, I discovered not long after arriving home that he had been there earlier 12.30 to meet us and had tried to make contact with me but had taken my contact details from the rides list in the Highwayman which has been incorrectly printed). Andy P and Bryan S left us before lunch, so just four of us enjoyed the ambiance of a very pleasant hostelry and caught up on Jean’s Indian adventure and Bryan discussed this year’s Birthday Rides in Shropshire and some transport issues he was encountering. The food was good, they do a new take on a basket meal – served in an earthenware flower-pot! From there we just made our way back at a lesiurely pace on the Plym track. Bryan found he was gathering a lot of debris which kept jamming his rear wheel so we were having to stop and help him clear it with a useful pointed stick! Only 28 miles, chilly but dry and bright, and next time Larry!

Seated at table top right clockwise: Mike, Bryan, Graham R, Julie and George.

As I was approaching the Torpoint ferry I could see a figure in the distance, it must be Julie I thought by the contrast of bright colours. Julie said that she had just got off the ferry, which confused me at first, then I realised she meant the Brittany ferry, not the Torpoint ferry. Well I take my hat off to her for the dedication, to come from France overnight and to be out on my Sunday run.

When everybody had arrived, we totaled six, including Bryan, who we picked up on the other side in Cornwall. For the tea stop, I had now decided to go to the Cliff top Cafe at Whitsands Bay.
The route there was a bit tortuous but interesting! with Bryan deducting me points for all the hills. So by the time we had reached the cafe I had ” la nil pointe ” Though the bon amie and the breakfast ambiance soon work it’s magic and I was once again in the black.
It was up to George and myself to finish the ride, having cheesy chips for me and apple and rhubarb crumble for George at the Seaton. With the last cup of tea at the Windy Ridge cafe at Trerulefoot after a pleasant ride up the Seaton valley.
35 miles covered, blue skies at the start but it did cloud over a bit later.

Dear Diary

[Show as slideshow]

It is quite some time since I wrote to you.  So I thought it was time that someone put finger to keyboard just in case you began to think that the Plymouth Section had faded away.

NO!

Today’s turn-out – in spite of the weather – was impressive. Iris and Patrick, Bryan, who has had so many operations that he must be practically bionic by now, Roger Floyd and Peter, Sue E. Graham J, Anna Bryant and Julie and George Sandford.

Iris was not keen on going to Cornwood because of the chance of ice, and Sue had not been able to contact the Post Office in Cornwood on the previous day anyway. So it was that we abandoned the planned coffee stop and headed for Wrangaton. Apologies to anyone who made for the originally planned coffee stop.

Being the third week of the month, Wrangaton was packed and we all had to wait ages before we got our elevenses. Sue wasn’t up for a long run. It was really cold anyway, so we headed back to Plympton via a lane parallel to the main road between Ugborough and Ermington – quite an interesting detour. We stopped for lunch in Ermington on the steps leading up to the church.

Most people stopped at Endsleigh on the way back for another tea break. Sue and I headed back home and to our surprise were overtaken by Andy Prideaux who hadn’t left home till 10.45 am. Of course, he had made for Cornwood, only to find that we weren’t there.  He steamed on ahead of Sue and me, leaving us to make it back to Plympton at a leisurely  pace, finishing at about 2.00 pm.

25 miles on the clock, when I got back to the car park. Altogether a pleasant day in congenial company.

Led by Julie

We numbered nine at the start from Plymco and made for break at The Junction Cafe, Wrangaton. There to greet us were Bryan R and Iris. My original plan was to try the Chilli Farm cafe on the Loddiswell road, but it seems their trade is not sufficient at this time of year to keep the cafe open. So we will try another time.  Several went back after break, but George, Grahams B and J and Mike continued on. I tried to vary the route a little, taking us down some really muddy tracks. So muddy, if you had the misfortune of putting your foot down it squelched over your shoes! And having got through one particularly bad lane we had to employ a twig to release some of the material we had gathered from our wheels and guards. We went down a steep part-way concrete path, continuing on dirt and then at the bottom was a ford.

We got across! Mike, Graham J, Graham B and George.

After our crossing (over the concrete bridge!) we eventually came out on the main A379 for a short distance before turning into the park behind the church in Yealmpton. Ate our picnic on the bench there and then headed across the road to the Kitley Farm Shop for a hot cuppa where George gave us his take on modern technology and communication. With not much experience of it – his imagination is good, he was hilarious!! From there it was back to Plympton via more back lanes, but George, Mike and Graham B were ahead and missed a right turn so Graham J and I beat them back.  I think my name is mud after this escapde! Sorry it was so muddy Guys.  Thanks for sticking with me most of the way! Forgiven?!

What with the Met Office issuing a Level 2 weather warning and the tabloids threatening widespread deaths from exposure to the cold weather, it was with some trepidation that I drew the curtains today to see what Mother Nature had cooked up for my ride. At 8.00 am cars still had iced-up windscreens, but the ice soon melted and after judiciously testing the drive for ice, I decided there might be a ride after all.

At the Bridge I found Graham Black and Andy Prideaux, who were soon joined by Julie, George, Roger Floyd and Graham Reed.  The rest of the crowd were still tucked up warm under the covers on what turned out to be a very cold day BUT .. with no ice on the roads. 

Graham Reed announced he thought the weather was too cold and he had no lunch with him anyway. So giving his apologies, he headed back home.

The route took us through Hatt, Pillaton, Blunts and the lanes to Trerulefoot. We arrived there later than I had anticipated – 11.51 am. Ten minutes after arriving we were joined by Mike Willacy, who had been late arriving at the Bridge and caught us up. 

Only George, Graham B,  Julie and I made it to Seaton. The others turned back at Trerulefoot. When we arrived at the cafe in Seaton the thermometer was reading 3 degrees C. When we left, it had sunk to barely 2. And, to boot, it had started raining quite heavily. The home route took us through Downderry and up the infamous hill in the direction of Crafthole. At the top we headed for Narkus, George and Julie soon leaving Graham B and me to return to Plymouth via the Saltash ferry.

It was still relatively early and Graham B was “out for the day”, as he puts it. We headed back to Trerulefoot via Narkus and thence to Cutmere. We picked up Cutmere Lane which we had come out on and retraced to Blunts. Right at the T-junction and on to Notter Bridge and Hatt.

It had rained heavily ever since we left Seaton and when I got home I was drenched and my fingers and toes felt as though they no longer existed. I had been looking forward to a hot shower, but the hot water felt like I was beating my fingers and toes with a hammer, they were that cold!

What we do for cycling!