Torbay CTC Album
Reports
Page 1 of 1 (4 items)
Friday 17 April 1981
10:00
10:00
Tour: North Devon
Day 1: Home to Elmscott YH
Day 1: Home to Elmscott YH
65 miles
11 Participants:
Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Valerie Farrell, Don Hassall, Antony House, Michael Jones, Mark Morton, John Stuart, Mike Ward, Sue Webber, Nigel Wilson
It was a bright, sunny morning when four of us set off from Marldon on Good Friday. We rode through Moles Lane and Kingskerswell to Newton Abbot, and from there took the Teigngrace road towards Drum Bridges roundabout. Unfortunately Sue Webber, who had been hibernating for the winter, was already finding it hard going, and so she decided to turn back. Colin, Val and myself continued through Heathfield to meet the Buckfastleigh contingent at Bovey Tracey, where our numbers were boosted to seven.
We moved off up the drag to Moretonhampstead at a fairly brisk pace, and then on and still up to Whiddon Down. Antony left us here as he was only out for the day, and the rest of us continued along the reasonably flat road to Okehampton via the village of Sticklepath, situated on the huge fault splitting Devon in two. On the hill dropping down to Okehampton there was a long and very slow-moving traffic queue, and so0 most of us whipped past on the outside. Unfortunately for Michael, Val would not overtake, and as he was following her he got rather annoyed. At first he thought that perhaps he should stay behind, but after a while he could bear it no longer and managed to overtake her.
On again out of Okehampton for about two miles, and dropping down a long hill we discovered the Exeter bunch eating lunch by a bridge at the bottom. The Torbay lot parked their steeds and sat down in the warm sun to feed. Unfortunately, just at that moment, a big black cloud appeared. Luckily this was not in the sky, but was Michael who, in an effort to save postage and to get them to people on time, had brought the B-Section Highwayman magazines with him, which he presented to Jean. This gesture on Michael’s part was not very well received by Jean who then swore at him! Michael was not pleased.
Apart from the normal (?) B-Section bunch, Bernard from the A-Section and a new B-Section member, Martin, had joined us. Now sixteen in number we walked and rode up the hill on the other side of the bridge and followed the B3218 to Dunslans Cross. From Anvil Corner Colin took us by a devious route through the lanes to avoid the many hills, and we arrived at Elmscott hostel just before five. Sitting in the sun in a neighbouring field were Michael Ward and Don Hassall, who had left Dawlish on Thursday and taken two days over the journey. You couldn’t miss Michael with his bright red legs!
The hostel was small and isolated and the food was not worth mentioning, but we had a good night’s sleep.
(Mark Morton)
Today's ride included a total climb of 1010m.
[1 point: Sue Webber]
[2 points: Antony House]
[4 points: everyone else]
We moved off up the drag to Moretonhampstead at a fairly brisk pace, and then on and still up to Whiddon Down. Antony left us here as he was only out for the day, and the rest of us continued along the reasonably flat road to Okehampton via the village of Sticklepath, situated on the huge fault splitting Devon in two. On the hill dropping down to Okehampton there was a long and very slow-moving traffic queue, and so0 most of us whipped past on the outside. Unfortunately for Michael, Val would not overtake, and as he was following her he got rather annoyed. At first he thought that perhaps he should stay behind, but after a while he could bear it no longer and managed to overtake her.
On again out of Okehampton for about two miles, and dropping down a long hill we discovered the Exeter bunch eating lunch by a bridge at the bottom. The Torbay lot parked their steeds and sat down in the warm sun to feed. Unfortunately, just at that moment, a big black cloud appeared. Luckily this was not in the sky, but was Michael who, in an effort to save postage and to get them to people on time, had brought the B-Section Highwayman magazines with him, which he presented to Jean. This gesture on Michael’s part was not very well received by Jean who then swore at him! Michael was not pleased.
Apart from the normal (?) B-Section bunch, Bernard from the A-Section and a new B-Section member, Martin, had joined us. Now sixteen in number we walked and rode up the hill on the other side of the bridge and followed the B3218 to Dunslans Cross. From Anvil Corner Colin took us by a devious route through the lanes to avoid the many hills, and we arrived at Elmscott hostel just before five. Sitting in the sun in a neighbouring field were Michael Ward and Don Hassall, who had left Dawlish on Thursday and taken two days over the journey. You couldn’t miss Michael with his bright red legs!
The hostel was small and isolated and the food was not worth mentioning, but we had a good night’s sleep.
(Mark Morton)
Today's ride included a total climb of 1010m.
[1 point: Sue Webber]
[2 points: Antony House]
[4 points: everyone else]
Saturday 18 April 1981
08:00 - 23:00
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: North Devon
Day 2: Elmscott to Instow YH
Day 2: Elmscott to Instow YH
Sunny but cold
23 miles
23 miles
11 Participants:
Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Valerie Farrell, Don Hassall, Antony House, Michael Jones, Mark Morton, John Stuart, Mike Ward, Sue Webber, Nigel Wilson
We left at about 9.30 next morning. There was a biting cold wind despite the sunshine, and we had to pedal hard to keep warm. Colin included a track en route to our coffee stop at Clovelly, which pleased everyone! After some refreshment we descended the steep, cobbled street to the harbour on foot for a few pictures.
When all were reassembled we followed the Hobby Drive around the coast. The superb views and the dappled sunlight coming through the trees made us all feel good. A sheltered grassy bank was found for lunch, and it was here that we were privileged with the presence of “Superman”, alias Pete Luxton, who was caught changing into his shorts by Gordon’s camera. There then followed a pleasant ride to Instow hostel – apart from Don moaning about having no cream tea.
The hostel was a nice one, above the town and overlooking the coast. After dinner some of us walked down to the beach, and when we returned Jean and Ivy very kindly made us all some hot drinks (as they did every night). Many thanks from us all. By this time the Exeter-Torbay relations had greatly improved, and everyone was getting on very well.
(Mark Morton)
When all were reassembled we followed the Hobby Drive around the coast. The superb views and the dappled sunlight coming through the trees made us all feel good. A sheltered grassy bank was found for lunch, and it was here that we were privileged with the presence of “Superman”, alias Pete Luxton, who was caught changing into his shorts by Gordon’s camera. There then followed a pleasant ride to Instow hostel – apart from Don moaning about having no cream tea.
The hostel was a nice one, above the town and overlooking the coast. After dinner some of us walked down to the beach, and when we returned Jean and Ivy very kindly made us all some hot drinks (as they did every night). Many thanks from us all. By this time the Exeter-Torbay relations had greatly improved, and everyone was getting on very well.
(Mark Morton)
Preparing to leave Elmscott youth hostel on a cold, sunny morning. Val, Mark and Nigel
Elmscott youth hostel
The first part of Colin's track route between Elmscott and Clovelly. Do you know where this is exactly? Possibly the track from Stoke to Hartland Abbey?
The first part of Colin's track route between Elmscott and Clovelly. Do you know where this is exactly? Possibly the track from Stoke to Hartland Abbey?
The second part of Colin's track route between Elmscott and Clovelly. Do you know where this is exactly? Possibly near Hartland Abbey?
The third part of Colin's track route between Elmscott and Clovelly. Do you know where this is exactly?
Nigel, John and Mark ready to walk down Clovelly's cobbled street
Clovelly Bay, from near the harbour
Mark and John at the harbour, looking back up to the village of Clovelly
Clovelly's main street
Starting out along the Hobby Drive
View back to Clovelly from the Hobby Drive
Pete Luxton and friend admiring the fabulous views towards Croyde from the Hobby Drive
Mark Morton living dangerously to get a better view on the Hobby Drive
Colin, Nigel, Don, Mark and Mike Ward after lunch on a grassy bank near the Hobby Drive
Riding past Weare Giffard village hall on a detour to Instow
Weare Giffard
Cranberry Cupboard Cottage, Weare Giffard
Mark, Don, Mike and Michael climbing the steep hill out of Weare Gifford (Photo: Colin Brierly)
Do you know where this is? It is somewhere between Weare Giffard and Instow
View of the Torridge Estuary and Bideford, from Instow youth hostel
Worlington House, otherwise known as Instow youth hostel
Sunset over the Torridge Estuary and Appledore, taken from Instow Sands during our evening walk
Sunday 19 April 1981
08:00 - 23:00
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: North Devon
Day 3: Instow to Lynton YH
Day 3: Instow to Lynton YH
29 miles
11 Participants:
Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Valerie Farrell, Don Hassall, Antony House, Michael Jones, Mark Morton, John Stuart, Mike Ward, Sue Webber, Nigel Wilson
Sunday morning and what was this? The sun was still shining as we set off for Lynton. Under persuasion from Don we entered Barnstaple for coffee, but we soon realised that this had not been such a good idea after all: when we had finished, the one-way system caught us and we only managed to escape with the help of a local cyclist!
Out of Barnstaple and part way along a beautiful river valley we turned off and climbed up to the top of Exmoor for lunch overlooking Wistlandpound reservoir. Colin faced a bit of mutiny after lunch when he found another track, as the Exeter bunch and a few Torbay members took the road route. The track turned out to be a fairly good one at first, but then it deteriorated to a steep hill covered by large rocks and loose dirt – riding down it was very eventful!
And so on to Hunter’s Inn, arriving half an hour later than the others, and again there was a choice of route – a long 1 in 4 hill upwards or Colin’s coastal footpath. Again just a few Torbay members and Adrian took the track, and the road people missed some fabulous views, including a gorse-covered valley and some dramatic scenes of the river at the bottom, dropping into the sea. After the coast path there was a long drop and then a climb past Lee Abbey and the White Lady Rocks.
Lynton youth hostel was, of course, on top of the longest, steepest hill in the town, and when we arrived we were surprised to see the road brigade had not yet turned up. Later we found they had stopped for cream teas!
That evening we were warned by one of the hostellers that there was a phantom snorer in our dormitory. During the night, at about two o’clock, this hosteller got out of bed, turned on the lights and threw the supposed snorer out, mattress and all! I personally never heard any snoring, and the overall effect seemed to be to wake everyone else up!
(Mark Morton)
Out of Barnstaple and part way along a beautiful river valley we turned off and climbed up to the top of Exmoor for lunch overlooking Wistlandpound reservoir. Colin faced a bit of mutiny after lunch when he found another track, as the Exeter bunch and a few Torbay members took the road route. The track turned out to be a fairly good one at first, but then it deteriorated to a steep hill covered by large rocks and loose dirt – riding down it was very eventful!
And so on to Hunter’s Inn, arriving half an hour later than the others, and again there was a choice of route – a long 1 in 4 hill upwards or Colin’s coastal footpath. Again just a few Torbay members and Adrian took the track, and the road people missed some fabulous views, including a gorse-covered valley and some dramatic scenes of the river at the bottom, dropping into the sea. After the coast path there was a long drop and then a climb past Lee Abbey and the White Lady Rocks.
Lynton youth hostel was, of course, on top of the longest, steepest hill in the town, and when we arrived we were surprised to see the road brigade had not yet turned up. Later we found they had stopped for cream teas!
That evening we were warned by one of the hostellers that there was a phantom snorer in our dormitory. During the night, at about two o’clock, this hosteller got out of bed, turned on the lights and threw the supposed snorer out, mattress and all! I personally never heard any snoring, and the overall effect seemed to be to wake everyone else up!
(Mark Morton)
Finally leaving Barnstaple via Goodleigh Road after finding our way through the one-way system
Approaching Goodleigh Cross
Continuing up the Yeo valley towards Loxhore, at Loxhore Cross
An impressive entrance to a house at Loxhore Cott
Lunch in a field overlooking Wistlandpound reservoir, near Blackmoor Gate
Mark Moreton playing with some expensive equipment over lunch
Mike Ward repairs a puncture over lunch
Colin leads us off-road from Heale towards Hunter's Inn
Continuing on the track from Heale towards the Heddon Valley
The track becomes more testing as it heads downhill through the woods
The final track descent to Hunter's Inn
Descending the rough track towards Hunters Inn (Photo: Colin Brierly)
Don Hassel on the final part of the track to Hunters Inn (Photo: Colin Brierly)
Heddon's Mouth Cleave. Starting out on the coast path from Hunter's Inn to Woody Bay
Colin Brierly, our adventurous tour leader, on the coast path to Woody Bay
Fabulous coastal views towards Woody Bay, from the coast path - just a small glimpse of what the road brigade missed out on
Monday 20 April 1981
08:00
08:00
Tour: North Devon
Day 4: Lynton to home
Day 4: Lynton to home
74 miles
11 Participants:
Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Valerie Farrell, Don Hassall, Antony House, Michael Jones, Mark Morton, John Stuart, Mike Ward, Sue Webber, Nigel Wilson
Next morning we said goodbye to the Exeter Section and set off towards Torbay. Taking a gamble, Colin led us on a track over Exmoor which would either save a lot of time or waste it. As it turned out we were an hour late at South Molton, so we bought some provisions for tea. From there it was down the Mole and Taw valley, with lunch about fifteen miles from South Molton. Continuing on the main roads until Crediton we took the lanes to the top of the Teign Valley for tea. Val decided to leave us there, and at Chudleigh the Buckfastleigh contingent left Colin and myself to pedal back to Paignton and Stoke Gabriel.
All in all it was a very pleasant tour, and the weather gods, for once, smiled on us, so adding to the enjoyment. It was good to see such an improvement in the relations between Exeter and Torbay.
(Mark Morton)
All in all it was a very pleasant tour, and the weather gods, for once, smiled on us, so adding to the enjoyment. It was good to see such an improvement in the relations between Exeter and Torbay.
(Mark Morton)
Preparing to leave Lynton youth hostel
The group at Lynton youth hostel with two new friends from our dorm
Colin's "short-cut" track across Exmoor, probably the track from Cherrybridge Cross through Shallowford and Saddle Gate to Breakneck Hole on the B3358. This picture probably taken on the climb from Saddle Gate, but can you confirm that for us?
Mark successfully negotiates Challacombe Ford
Returning home. Do you know where this is?
Page 1 of 1 (4 items)