This year's Dinner took place at the Treacrn Hotel, Torquay

Although the weather was good today, only six of us met at Bickington for the Hamel Down ride. Colin was down with a cold and others were no doubt partaking in various seasonal activities. We were just approaching Ilsington when Michael, Mark and myself found ourselves in rather intimate contact with the road – perhaps I shouldn’t have produced such a large bar of chocolate from my saddlebag while we were still riding!

Clouds were spreading quickly so we abandoned the idea of Hamel Down and had lunch beside Haytor Rocks. We were just gazing across the deserted moorland to the next tor, wondering who else could possibly be mad enough to be on Haytor in mid-winter, when John Pope appeared with his two dogs. Currently cycle-less he was not to be stopped from getting some fresh air (and some of our food).

Fun and games were had on the rocks before we finally went on our way again, leaving Antony who had to get back early. Cold East Cross and Pudsham took us to Buckland, and at Spitchwick we couldn’t resist a few photos. I didn’t even have to mention the word “tea” before everyone had invited themselves back for refreshments, and it was an hour later that we finally said farewell for another week.

(Michael Jones)

[2 points: Antony House]
[3 points: everyone else]

No report available.

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]

Better numbers for the Rough Stuff day and a couple of gentle slopes from Bishopsteignton to the golf course and then Obelisk Hill worked up an appetite for our picnic in rather grey conditions near the Obelisk.

Arthur Browne had, as usual, sorted out some new, distinctly testing stuff for the twenty riders in the event, and after a tie-breaking run-off, Don Hassal became the winner – I wonder if we can teach him to read a map before the BCTC?

(Colin Brierly)

This event was based on the area near the Obelisk on Haldon, and comprised a number of observed sections, marked on a diminishing scale the further the rider went through before stopping. Mud and water abounded, and drizzle later in the afternoon made it seem even wetter.

An entry of twenty came along, ranging from juniors to veterans, and included three ladies – Linda Horne, Iris and Julie Strong.

Despite the organiser’s efforts, the results showed a number of ties for the various places, notable of which was the trio tying for first place. This was resolved by a ride-off between Don Hassal and Andrew Bethke – unfortunately Ken Strong had already departed for an urgent engagement. Don Hassal emerged the victor, with Ken Strong and Andrew Bethke joint second.

Overall the entry conquered the course very well, as the results list reflects, and the riders appear to have enjoyed themselves. My special thanks to the marshals who volunteered, including two groups of juniors who all manned their sections according to my requirements successfully. Thanks also to Michael Jones, Highwayman Editor, for signing on the entrants and helping to start them off.

If you all enjoyed it, come again next year. And if not, come along nevertheless – it may grow on you! Once again my thanks to riders and marshals alike for helping the event to run along smoothly.

(Arthur Browne)

I was happy in winning the Rough Stuff event, but later felt sad that one of the very keen youngsters did not win. I would like, therefore, to present the Club with two small trophies, one for the First Lady and the other for the First Junior. If members thing that this would be a good idea, I will obtain some.

(Don Hassal)

Powdermills is a fairly energetic run, especially if you are going to spend time finding the Proving Canon and looking at the old workings, so by the time we had got to Holne I had decided it was beyond Matthew’s range and he and I left the others to complete the run while we wandered elsewhere. Matthew and I had a leisurely ride via Buckland and Haytor to an arranged meeting place at Becky Falls, whilst the others duly inspected – or rather had a guided tour of – Powdermills thanks to the kindness of the farmer.

It’s just as well we didn’t wait too long at Becky as I think we were a couple of hours ahead, and after an enjoyable drop off Trendlebere we rode home via Teigngrace.

(Colin Brierly)

Persuaded by the huge quality improvements obtained with slide film, Michael used only Kodachrome slide film in his camera from today onwards.

[2 points: Colin Downie, Val Farrell, Antony House]
[3 points: everyone else]

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)

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)