Not so nice the next Sunday, when Topsham Bridge was the destination – no, not the one where the devil hangs out in Ken and Iris’s parish, but on the river Avon, downstream from Gara Bridge. It was nice to have an addition to the female strength, with a friend of Frances’ – Kim Marshall – out for the first and, we hope, not the last time.

We took the lanes to Harbertonford and Moreleigh before dropping to our destination down the “white road”, which inevitably had a hundred yard section where white was a very inaccurate term! There was, however, a grassy bank where the bikes could be carried and feet kept clean, so no harm was done, although Michael Ward did find a different route that wasn’t quite as clean!

Fairly cool but not too wet for our picnic, with the bridge giving a bit of shelter from the wind. We were pleased that Iris Buckler could join us, even if only for a few miles from the lunch spot to where we turned off to Gara Bridge. We headed home past Curtisknowle and Crabadon in an attempt to beat the impeding rain.

(Colin Brierly)

[2 points: Iris Buckler]

On Sunday, Ralph rode over from his home in Taunton to join us, and then led the Exeter B-section back to his home for our morning coffee break – thanks Sheila for the super cakes! This was to be Ralph’s last ride for a while, as the next Sunday he was going into hospital to have an operation on his eyes for cataracts. I am glad to report that he has been able to have both eyes done and that he is getting on very well. We all hope it won’t be too long before he is back on his bike and riding with us again – we miss his smiling face!

From Taunton we took the lane route through Langford Budville and Bathealton, finding a sheltered spot for lunch. Then it was on to Rockwell Green, along some more lanes, up and down a few hills, across the railway line and over the M5 to ride down to Willand for tea, which ended a good weekend awheel.

(Jean Luxton)

Hard headwind and showers Lunch in a bus shelter. Colin and Jean took tandem to top of Longdown on roof of car.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

I believe Torbay Section rode home on a more direct route, through Wiveliscombe.

(Michael Jones, 2018)

The Rough Stuff was well-supported by Torbay, with sixteen members riding out to Haldon in the morning. When lunch had been eaten in the glade, ten of our number decided to brave the competition, including Jason, Justin and Glenn, and Colin and Stephen Downer. As official photographer I was excused this year! A full report by the organiser appears below, but I think it may be said that everyone enjoyed themselves. It was, as always, a pleasure to spend the afternoon with the A Section.

(Michael Jones)

This year the event was based on a small triangle of woodland near Thorns Cross on Haldon, and several observed sections were marked on a decreasing scale of severity according to the riders’ performance. The premium was on good control, especially in turning, and generally the whole entry coped well with the obstacles.

There was a preponderance of juniors among the entry as many of the Bs were away on an Audax ride. Consequently juniors figured high in the results. Overall winner and best junior was Colin Rowe who beat almost the whole course, following closely by Mark Morton and Andrew Rowcliffe. Amongst the ladies, Julie Strong pipped her mother by virtue of the tie-break.

May I say many thanks to the entrants for making the event successful and worthwhile, and further thanks to the marshals who delighted in deducting marks from the said entrants. Our thanks are also due to the Brierlys for refreshments afterwards: “trade” was excellent.

A full list of positions follows.

1 Colin Rowe
2 M Morton
3 A Rowcliffe
4 A Bethke
5 C Brierly
6 K Presland
7 M Fillan
8 M Greatorex
9 S Wellaway
10 M Fowler
11 S Downer
12 D Webber
13 P Fildew
14 M Dalley
15 C Downer
16 D Hassall
17 J Landen
18 K Strong
19 G Powling
20 J Parnell
21 Julie Strong
22 Iris Strong

(Arthur Browne)

[2 points: Colin Downie, Nigel Wilson]
[4 points: everyone else]

The Easter Tour was a great success this year, with twelve of the fitter Torbay riders taking part.

As Torbay’s new Section Delegate, Michael Ward has written the account of this year’s tour. Unfortunately he didn’t ride down with us on the first day, but since the B-Section also made their own way to Golant there is little point in making a meal of it. The ride to Plymouth was fast and furious in glorious weather, and the scenery along the South Cornwall coast was very attractive. We rode through Downderry and Looe and crossed to Fowey on the Bodinnick ferry.

We were all very impressed with the hostel that evening, partly because of the beautiful views across the river, but also, I think, because the warden served up some delicious vegetarian meals!

(Michael Jones)

We rode down the A38 to Plymouth. Mike Ward and Frances had made their own way to the hostel. Our Hostel Chore was to do the washing up.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

At half past nine on a sunny Saturday morning we climbed up the track from Golant to Castle Dore. Most of the Exeter bunch intended to explore the Fowey that morning so we split, with the bulk of us cycling on to Lostwithiel for morning coffee. A short while later the Exeter Section arrived minus Bernard, who had been mislaid en route. After thirty minutes pondering over the possible wrong turnings he could have taken, he arrived intact if not unflustered!

Suitably refreshed we took the first left off the main road and climbed up the lanes to a quiet lunch spot overlooking the Fowey Valley. Entertainment was provided by Jackie’s tennis ball, found near the Torpoint Ferry the previous day.

We dropped down a lovely one-in-five gradient with plenty of bends, and joined the A38 in the valley. At this point, five of us took a wrong turning after going back to fetch something from the lunch spot, which caused some unnecessary waiting at junctions for the others. A lovely run up the valley ended abruptly as we turned left up the hill to St Neot. Still upwards, we pedalled over the moor past the future Colliford reservoir. We found the A30 and battled into the wind past the Jamaica Inn, stopping for a well-deserved coffee at Trewint.

Turning left off the main road we descended through Altarnun before encountering a four-mile drag up through Davidstow Moor, until at Slaughterbridge we finally started to drop off the moor towards Tintagel, where the separated groups met. That evening, Kevin discovered that butter wouldn’t melt on his “baked” potato – funny chap, this warden! Never mind, the tea was good!

(Michael Ward)

Rode via Lostwithiel. Jackie left gloves so "we" went back up the hill to retrieve them and lost the others. Made our own way to Tintagel. I recall Bernard from Exeter getting lost and being left behind.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

The first thing on the agenda next morning was a visit to King Arthur’s Castle, which looked impressive in the morning sun. There followed a short cycle up the coast to Boscastle for elevenses. By this time it was getting hot, and Pete Luxton’s knees saw the sun for the first time this year! We took the lanes following the coast to Millook, where we stopped for a well-deserved lunch – in North Corwall one cycles three miles up and down to do one mile on the map!

After climbing up out of Millook we were rewarded by a magnificent view of Bude Bay, followed by some magnificent ice-creams from the beach-hut at the bottom of the hill. From Bude we joined the A39 and plugged on through Kilkhampton to Welcombe Cross. From here the group split, some taking the direct route through Welcombe, finally meeting at Elmscott youth hostel.

Those who visited Elmscott last year were pleasantly surprised by the improvement in the standard of the food and friendliness of the warden. The hearty meal was devoured (just) by all.

(Michael Ward)

There was a cat on my bed this morning, so I deposited it on Nigel Wilson's bed. The warden told Michael off for something, not sure what though. Averaged 3mph to Bude. Rob Spence had loads of punctures.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

The next morning was warm and with the following wind immediate thoughts of distances were forgotten. Following the lanes on one of Colin’s devious routes we avoided most of the hills and a steady pace was soon built up. We couldn’t find a coffee spot so we cycled until lunch, which was eaten three miles outside Okehampton in some splendid countryside, with views of Yes Tor and the Okement valley. Jackie’s tennis ball provided entertainment once more, and the field was found to be wet in places!

The Exeter and Torbay Sections parted in Okehampton. Torbay Section had a lovely ride to Moretonhampstead for afternoon tea. Whilst we were waiting near the bikes for the others and enjoying the sun, one of Robert’s tyres suddenly let out a hissing noise and went flat! Poor old Robert – I think he’d lost count of the number of punctures he’s repaired over the weekend! We continued down the valley to Bovey, where everybody went their separate ways.

So good weather again this year, and a tour that was enjoyed by everyone. We look forward to next year!

(Michael Ward)

Stopped for lunch just before Okehampton. Coffee at Moretonhampstead.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

On April 18th, three of our mob were involved with the Torbay Cycle for Peace (TCP for short – the sponsored gargle), which was held in Paignton. They raised nearly £20 between them for the Ecology Party at the expense of some very valuable attendance points – well done all of you!

The rest of us met at Dart Bridge, Buckfastleigh for our ride to Scoriton Down. The weather was superb as we set off up the hill to Cross Furzes, and it wasn’t long before everyone was removing items of clothing – we usually aim to go down Wallaford Road, not up it! A little way past Cross Furzes we turned left down the track to Hayford Hall – Stephen and Mark were pointing earnestly at something the bush behind the dead-end sign, but I never did establish what it was! We were mauled by several dogs as we passed Hayford, and just when we thought we’d escaped, another one appeared a bit further along the track. Fortunately its owner managed to control it in time, and we were on our way once again.

At the end of the stony track was a gate, and on the other side of the gate was … grass, ferns and open moorland! We pretended it was a tarmac road and sailed across the heath and down the hill. As we approached the bottom we discovered a beautiful glade beside a pool: that would most certainly do for lunch, so coats were laid out under the trees.

After a while, Yours Truly through it would be a fine idea to take a few photos. So far so good, but the best place to take the photo was on the opposite side of the stream. I got a foot-full of water from the soggy moss, but eventually I made it and perched the camera on a conveniently-situated tree. Ah, thought I, what a good idea, I’ll set the camera to automatic and be in the picture myself! Well, I thought I could make it back across that stream in ten seconds, but several wet feet and muddy jeans later I had a good set of marathon photo-finishes!

Whilst we were enjoying the peace of the district, an enormous explosion ripped through the air and brought us all to our senses rather abruptly. On investigation it turned out that John’s rear tyre had burst rather dramatically, so Messrs Sheppard, Downer, Morton and Jones amused themselves by exploring the extent of the footpath leading away from our lunch spot. It disappeared down into the woods, but at the bottom there was a clearing by the river and we spent a good hour throwing stones into the river from opposite banks – simply to get each other wet, you understand! Just when we were in full battle, along came a group of Welsh hikers who settled down under the trees to watch the entertainment. They planned to camp there that night, and I must say I was a trifle envious – it was a lovely spot.

When we finally got back to the others, Colin had almost finished reading the paper and was just contemplating going to sleep! It really was getting on though, so we forced ourselves back onto the bikes and made our way over to Scoriton. We finished off a lazy day by wandering through the lanes to Denbury, feeling thoroughly content.