Just when you thought you were safe … the DENTURES! (A Graham Black Production, staring Iris Buckler and Julie Lang – in cinemas near you, now!)

This year’s Christmas Lunch was well supported – 24 in all. The main event of the day was the presentation of a picture and flowers to Iris, who has served the Section with great success for many years. The weather was unpromising but there was a good number at the start. Coffee in Ottery and thence to lunch.  What was that I said about a thousand words? Here goes – the pics and MERRY CHRISTMAS  to everyone.

Report from Sue:

Ten of us left Plymco, with rain threatening we took the direct route to Brixton through Plympton St. Maurice before climbing Bullers Hill. Some felt they might end up walking, but found it wasn’t too bad after all! At Otter Nurseries we met up with Jean, Iris, Bryan and Larry. There weren’t many spare tables so it was a case of grab a seat where one could. With Christmas lunch looming we were soon on our way.I was relieved to arrive at Staddon Golf Club before the rain set in. It was a lovely meal which was rounded off with a surprise presentation to Iris for her long service as secretary to Plymouth CTC. It was no surprise when we came to leave to find it lashing with rain, so it was head down and head for home!

The forecast for Sunday was good and it brought out members of the section in force. Fifteen of us left Saltash Service, where we were joined by Bryan Richardson, Brian Short and Andy Prideaux. It was great to see David Newman and Roger Floyd riding with the Section again as well as Mike Willacy and Brian Short, whom we haven’t seen for a while.  Support from Plympton members was excellent and Julie even cycled all the way to the start.

The route out took the course of the Tamar 100 through Hatt, Pillaton, over the ford to St Ive and the Millennium Centre in Pensylva, where we met up with Larry Clarke.

Larry and Roger Floyd wanted a longer ride, but with the hard bit behind us – there were some substantial hills – the rest of us went round the back of Pensylva and descended the lane to Merrymeet. The route I reckied would have crossed the main road with a gentle climb to Pengover, but we had a second tea stop at Morrisons in Liskearde. That added three steep hills. After reaching Pengover Green the going was a lot easier and we got back to Hatt at 3.15 pm, pretty good going with such a large group and no one got lost! At Carkeel some stopped for the third tea break of the day. Anna, Jean, Graham Reed and I carried on to Saltash.

Altogether a rewarding day in Cornish lanes, which some riders had not yet experienced. The weather was exceptionally mild for the time of year. In some places there were choirs of midges, the odd kamikaze flying into breathless mouths or watering eyes.

I draw your attention to the change to the published details for the ride on this date, which was my lead and was Loddiswell for coffee and on to Frogmore . I am sorry but I can’t be in two places at the same time! I have been urged to attend the AGM to represent our section. Your best option is to choose a leader from those assembled on the day and decide your coffee and destination then. Of course, it might be a horrible day and that might make your choice easier!! Or…..how about coming to the AGM?

Apologies, Julie.

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Oberreute is a small village in the Allgäu just a few kilometers  from the Austrian border and about 40 miles from Lake Constance AKA the Bodensee. It is an outstanding touring area close to beautiful mountains, consisting of pasture land, full of lakes and famous for the castles of Ludwig II. Schloß Neuschwanstein (see above) is the most famous castle. It took 20 years to build and was completed towards the end of the 19th C. King Ludwig beggared the land to build the castle and other monuments inspired by the Niebelungen saga and the music of Richard Wagner. Ludwig was found dead in lake Chiemsee under suspicious circumstances. Ironically the myriads of tourists who now visit Neuschwanstein have more than paid for it.

As it turned out, the owner of the holiday house, Heiner Oßwald, was a cyclist and belonged to the cycling club in Memmingen. Heiner and Gabi’s hospitality was quite extraordinary. Not only did they invite us to lunch, but also did two cycle routes with us – one to the Basilica in Ottobeuren (about 15km from Memmingen) and the other to the Pfänder (a 1000m high mountain overlooking Bregenz and Lake Constance) from Scheidegg and back. Should they read this, many thanks again!

It was a good turn out, consisting of 16 at the beginning and it was a bright sunny day.
Today’s ride to Tavistock, was a joint arrangement with the Exeter section which consisted of Roy and Tom.

We made our way up the Plym Trail to Knightstone, our first stop for tea, afterwards 5 made their way back home. The rest of us carried on to Tavistock via Denham Bridge, sometimes cycles are called “push bikes” for a good reason after crossing Denham Bridge! The lunch stop at Tavistock was in the park, with tea afterwards at the swimming pool cafe. The way back was following the route 27, hugging the edge of the moor, though George did an “add on” at one point which took us to Sampford Spinney, then back to Dousland and the Plym Trail at Clearbrook and Home after approx 40 miles.

Good day had by all and Thanks to Roy and Tom for their support.
Leader: Graham Black

Tavistock