The run to Cotley Castle on 15th April turned out to be very memorable. It was well attended, full of incidents, but best of all for me, was one of those rare days when the views are clear for miles.

The comfort-lovers joined up with the camping contingent and others at Chudleigh Bridge and headed up the Teign Valley. We took a different exit by riding up through Trusham towards Lawrence Tower. In between light showers we slowly followed a flock of sheep being led by a Michael Jackson impersonator! When he eventually guided us past the flock they naturally turned and headed back down the hill!

As we approached the summit, Michael decided his knee, which he had been nursing for several weeks, had had enough excitement for one day and turned for home. We cycled on through showery lanes to Cotley Castle, where the sun obligingly came out and stayed out for the rest of the day. The view at lunchtime, which included Exmouth, Marldon, Denbury and Haytor was marvellous.

The general wish was to tackle the canal towpath on the way to tea at Dawlish, so we headed that way as Colin and Jean left us for another appointment. Richard had been having trouble with Michael’s second bike, which he’d borrowed after wrecking his own two days earlier (yes, Friday 13th). Having effected more repairs at lunchtime the front tyre expired with a loud report just two miles later! The brake block had rubbed through the cover.

We eventually continued with more views, this time of East Devon, before dropping through Ide to the old A30 where the youngsters delighted in riding over the curly footbridge. The towpath ride was only marred by me and two others insisting on trying the other side of the canal between Topsham and Turf dock. They warned us it was overgrown but they didn’t tell us it was like riding the Giant’s Causeway! We continued on to Cockwood where we met Don, and Dawlish Warren where the café was unexpectedly closed. We therefore relaxed outside a select tea room opposite the down in Dawlish.

There were more incidents. Martin’s crank was dropping off – easily remedied. Matthew’s back wheel, which had started out with one broken spoke, now had three. Bad-tempered repairs were effected, but I only had two spare spokes! On returning to the bikes after tea the rear tyre was flat. Guess why! More bad temper.

Just for a pleasant change we avoided Teignmouth in favour of the steady climb over the top, through the golf course and down to Kingsteignton. The effort of riding to the top was well rewarded, both by the avoidance of that awful switchback main road and of course by the views in all directions. Since there were no complaints, we’ll use that route again.

(Phil Burrows)

[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]