Easter had been a superb weekend, although we did have sunburn trouble, making the contrast of the AGM weekend more dramatic. The ride up to Exeter on Saturday was rather uncomfortable with rain, sleet and then snow combining with a strong wind, and I think it hadn't improved at all when Michael, Mark and Matthew rode back to Don and Grace's at Dawlish after the slide show. Val decided to give the weather best, but had, I suspect, a rather cold wait for a train back to Torquay.

(Colin Brierly)

Two inches of snow already on the ground and still steadily falling as I rode into The Close on the Sunday morning to join Gordon, Ken and Iris, June, Kirsten and Eric and three of the AGM visitors who had elected to go out on Gordon’s run. I headed back to Jean’s Dad’s with a clear conscience and, after lunch, with the bikes on the roof rack, Jean and I had a look at the winter scene on top of Haldon.

(Colin Brierly)

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]

What a miserable month May turned out to be this year. The afternoon ride of May 3rd produced torrential rain from the start of our ride to the finish, at which point the sun came out to laugh at us. Still, we “enjoyed” a short ride to Staverton via Compton.

(Michael Jones)

The weather still unkind for the May afternoon run, with heavy rain and strong winds. Michael was already rather wet from his trip in from Buckfastleigh so Mark and I rode with him to Ipplepen and then towards Staverton before we separated and dripped our way home.

(Colin Brierly)

No report available.

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]

The Burrator Reservoir ride the following week was equally disastrous. It pelted down all morning while Colin and Mark made their separate ways to the Buckfastleigh pickup. What it would have been like on the moor we shuddered to think, so we all went back to Redmount for an extended coffee break and drying session before the Torbay lads set off for home via Totnes. At least Colin was able to return a Dartington nurse’s wallet which he had found in the road.

(Michael Jones)

On May 17th was the BCTC heat. Not surprisingly, it rained during the first part of the morning whilst Mark, Matthew and myself made our respective paths to Kenton. To make matters worse, Mark had a puncture, and he and Matthew finally arrived about an hour and a half late.

Antony, Colin and Noel had gone up by car (!) which meant they were ready for a fresh start, but despite their tiredness, Mark and Matthew set off bravely into the mist. They were both pretty exhausted by the end of the day, and on the way back to Torbay there was a distinct lack of conversation. We didn’t get home until well after 10.30 that night, and bed was most welcome.

(Michael Jones)

This year’s BCTC heat, organised by myself, was held in the area around Kenton. As competitors began to arrive for the start at Kenton village hall, so the rain began to fall. It was looking as though capes would be the order of the day.

After riders had received their numbers and finished the usual machine checks their route was to take them out to Black Forest Lodge and along to Dawlish Water. The long climb up towards Teignmouth golf course was being used for the hill climb, with the Rushbys providing tea and coffee at the top. After answering the questions on the first quiz the riders proceeded towards the golf course and, using a white road, dropped down off the top towards Ideford.

Before riders reached Ideford they had to negotiate the track down to Well Court. Following the previous day’s rain, the stream at the bottom had risen slightly and, according to reports, several riders took the deep way through and found the water lapping around their hubs!

From here, competitors made their way through Ideford and Luton and on towards Zig-Zag hill, where marshals were hidden for the braking test. The last section of the morning was to be the pace judging, and this took riders up around Mamhead, back past Black Forest Lodge and so to Kenton. Then it was just a short ride to the village hall and lunch spot.

The second quiz was held over lunch, followed by the map-reading section. Results before the quiz showed that Ken Strong had a lead of just three points over Pete Luxton, with Peter Fildew and Don Hassall only one point behind him.

The map reading was to take competitors through the grounds of Powderham Castle and up the canal bank as far as Exminster. The route then swung inland to follow the river Kenn through Kennford, across the A38 to pass Clapham and up to Shillingford St George. It then turned west, passing Dunchideock House and climbing up past Belvedere tower to the top of Haldon. Crossing the A38 and A380, riders descended off the top to Colleywell Bottom and back into Kenton.

When all the results had come in, the figures revealed a tie between Ken and Pete, with Julie Strong, the best place junior and first lady, in third place. Members can examine the results for themselves below.

AS Pete had declined to go to the final in Stirlingshire, our entrants will be Ken and Julie, and we wish them all the best. I would like to thank all the marshals who helped on the day and give a special thanks to Iris, Helen and their helpers for providing tea at the finish. I hope that all the riders enjoyed taking part.

See you again next year!

(Philip Wrigley)

01 P Luxton 13
01 K Strong 13
03 J Strong 15
03 R Spence 15
05 C Downie 17
06 A Parkyns 21
07 A House 22
07 P Fildew 22
07 A Rowcliffe 22
10 W Luxton 23
11 A Bethke 24
12 L Horne 25
13 M Moreton 27
14 M Fowler 29
15 C Lee 30
15 P Horne 30
DNF M Ward 18
DNF D Hassall 15
DNF M Tewson 5

[3 points: Val Farrell, Sue Shepley]
[4 points: everyone else]

Our Beesands ride was, in contrast to the previous weeks, very enjoyable. The air was bright and sunny, if a little cold, and I was surprised that only Kevin, Mark and Valerie joined me at Totnes. We took our usual lane route through to Slapton, via Harbertonford and Moreleigh, pedalled hard across the Ley to Torcross and then took to the coastal footpath.

Lunchtime was very pleasant overlooking the sea, and good fun was had by all. We ambled further along the path, but it gradually deteriorated to a narrow track which promptly disappeared into the undergrowth. I think Valerie thought we were all mad when we plunged into the depths of the vegetation, but eventually we all made it to the bottom in one piece.

Mark, who had actually ridden all the way (or so he said) was duly rewarded with a puncture, and this was sufficient excuse to settle down on Beesands beach to enjoy the sun. More than an hour later we decided it was time to make tracks for home. Unfortunately, however, Mark managed to get in yet another puncture before we had got through Chillington, and it was 7.00 when we finally arrived home. Kevin, who had been suffering from a cold (amongst other things, such as exams) couldn’t face the long climb back to Ilsington, so a kind father came to fetch him in the car.

(Michael Jones)

A surprisingly good turnout for our June afternoon run in view of the ominous sky which, shortly after we had started, put its threat into practice, much to our discomfort. Our members included quite a few out with us for the first time and we look forward to seeing Glen Powling, Mark Edwards, Samantha Green, Mark Fraser and Paul Kerr again on our next afternoon run in better weather, when we hope to do something more ambitious that squelch out to Staverton and Broadhempston.

(Colin Brierly)