Many readers will already know of the scenic beauty of North Devon, ranging from magnificent coastline to rugged moorland. It was to this region that Torbay Section took its first independent Easter Tour for a number of years, and with the luxury of fine weather the trip added up to a very enjoyable break for the eight participants.

The first two days of the tour brought back memories for two of us of our first cycle tour nearly four years ago, when more than twenty punctures were collected together with many shoe-fulls of water! We hoped for better luck this year.

Six of us were transported to Cathedral Close, Exeter on Good Friday morning by several kind parents. The other five were Matthew Tewson (14), John Roome (14), John Stuart (17), Kevin Presland (17) and Andrew Billington (20). To avoid busy roads, we took a lane route over Stoke Hill to Killerton Park, making such good progress that we felt we could afford to stop at Cullompton for coffee – and some of the most delicious ginger cake you can imagine! We then diverted through some delightful scenery past Stenhill and Reed’s Cross so as to avoid the Willand complex, pausing on Culmstock bridge for photographs.

Lunch was now the order of the day, but each spot we found didn’t seem quite good enough so we went on in search of greener pastures. It wasn’t long before we came across the main road on the outskirts of Wellington and wished we had stopped earlier! There was no going back however, so we settled down to make the best of the lunch spot despite the road of vehicles and the hard stares of their occupants.

(Michael Jones)

At Wellington crossroads the six were joined by Mat-thew (not to be confused with Matthew) on his first tour at the age of eleven, and his Dad Phil, on his first tour for more years than he cares to remember. Here, a small change of plan was made when it was decided to go over the Quantocks to Holford instead of around via Bridgwater. The remainder of lunch was taken at the roadside near Milverton before riding through the lanes to Combe Florey, with Michael checking the map at every junction.

A main road bash into the cold headwind to Crowcombe was followed by a spot of mountaineering, up the south-west face of the Quantocks. Here, Matthew decided to try the low gears on Matthew’s bike (up a 1 in 4?) and promptly fell off in the middle of the road, somehow getting both legs trapped! Matthew managed to free him before the next car arrived.

We took the pretty way down the other side to Holford, via the rough track over Black Hill, the only casualty being Matthew’s read mudguard which seemed to become strongly attracted to the wheel. A vandalised YHA sign provoked more discussion and map-reading before we selected the right track up to Holford hostel. This seemed to be choc-a-bloc with self-catering cyclists but at least we only had to wash up for eight.

During the evening we took a walk down to the telephone at Kilve. On the way, Matthew, in playful mood and encouraged by Michael, managed to walk straight into a ditch which was about two feet deeper than anyone expected. On returning to the light of the hostel it turned out to have also been rather muddy! Matthew spent the rest of the evening in shorts while his only pair of trousers and trainers dried out.

(Phil Burrows)

Monday’s weather looked unsettled as we climbed out to Lynton Cross, facing the long ride home. The two first-timers we well to the fore on the climb, and Kevin’s puncture kept him busy with the pump but still he would not mend it. On the long descent to Barnstaple he, together with the fitter members, kept well in front to allow for pumping time. In Barnstaple we did a grand tour of the town while looking for an open food shop, led by a keen young BMC rider who, unfortunately, didn’t spare a thought for our less-sturdy machines.

As we continued South, Michael made an attempt to slow down the keener members to give the others a chance of making it home before collapsing, but he was not really successful until the first heavy shower dampened their enthusiasm near Atherington. Thereafter we kept a tight bunch until the radar station, where we stopped for lunch. But the showers didn’t! Kevin disappeared under his cape to mend the puncture. Meanwhile, John Stuart tied his back wheel together with string and Michael was treated to several renditions of his favourite pop song, just to keep everyone’s spirits up, while he timed Kevin at seventeen minutes. “Ah, but I took my time and mended it properly,” was Kevin’s reply. Less than a mile further on it was mended again, this time by Michael!

The rest of the afternoon was uneventful as we made steady progress in our little bunch, slowest at the front, through Winkleigh and across country to Whiddon Down. The weather improved for a while, and the only complaint was from Matthew who kept threatening to “phone his Dad to pick him up.” Occasionally he would collapse by the roadside just to prove the point! By Whiddon Down the worst was over – it was all downhill from here we kept assuring ourselves.

Moretonhampstead was a welcome sight for tea – the fruit cake was delicious, and many cups were squeezed from teapots. The poor proprietor just couldn’t cope with twelve customers and made sure everyone knew it!

After tea, Matthew was as good as his word, much to everyone’s surprise, and he phoned his Dad. A mile later he collapsed at the roadside again to await his arrival. The rest of us rode not-too-wearily homeward and went our separate ways from Bovey. Sod’s Law ensured that the newest riders rode furthest, but both John and Matthew were still fighting fit after producing very good rides on their first tour. As far as I can tell, everyone arrived home tired, but with happy memories of an excellent tour – thanks to Michael’s good organisation.

The following awards will probably not be presented at the next meeting of the Wheel-builders’ and Truers’ Social Club:

Michael Jones: The job award for Patience
Kevin Presland: The David Bailey award for the slowest puncture
John Stuart: The Henry Ford “Third Time Lucky” award
Andrew Billington: The Gertrude Shilling “Hat of the Tour” award
Matthew Tewson: The Charlie Cairoli “Life and Soul of the Tour” award
John Roome: The British Leyland No Fuss award for Industry
Matthew Burrows: The Everest King of the Mountains award
Phil Burrows: The “When I was a Lad” veteran’s award

(Phil Burrows)