On April 28th I actually managed to crawl out of bed and get to Newton Abbot for the 10.30 pick-up! It was a glorious morning and as I turned into Decoy Road a flock of cyclists came into view.

No less than twenty of us started out through Newton Abbot, stopping at the Railway Station to see if Thomas from Plymouth was joining us, but since no train was due we carried on at a leisurely pace up the Teign Valley, overtaking dozens of runners on a six mile run, and turned off at Teign House, climbing up through Doddiscombsleigh and past the Nobody Inn.

Shortly before reaching our destination at Lawrence Castle we stopped for a breather and met a young couple who were cyclists. After a chat they decided to join us for part of the ride and we continued to the destination where we ate lunch whilst enjoying the panoramic views from the top of Haldon.

We were all invited to tea at Stephen’s house in Dawlish, so we cycled off across Great Haldon and said cheerio to Julie at the top as she was heading back to Topsham, and then dropped down through Mamhead to Dawlish. To get to Stephen’s apartment we had to scale Annapurna’s West Face, but this made the tea, squash and sandwiches even more welcome – thanks Stephen, and Stephen’s Mum.

Tea scoffed in usual cyclists’ manner, the remaining riders took the coast route home, ending a very enjoyable ride.

(Graham Brodie)

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