Torbay CTC Album
Reports
Saturday 23 June 1984
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Weekend ride: Sampford Courteney Camping Weekend
2 Participants:
Michael Jones, Richard Wiseman
Sadly, no report was written for this ride at the time.
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
Sunday 24 June 1984
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Cranbrook Castle
8 Participants:
Steven Bowles, Martin Burrows, Phil Burrows, Michael Jones, Adam Nice, John Stuart, Mike Ward, Richard Wiseman
On 24th June we arranged to meet the Torbay campers after their joint sleep-out at Sampford Courtney the previous night. The weather was breezy and cloudy, and a bit of a relief from the recent oppressive heat. We wandered out through Newton, Bovey and the lanes around Lustleigh, crossing the valley north of Moretonhampstead for the steep climb to Cranbrook Castle, where we arrived on the stroke of one o’clock. Of the two who met us there, Michael Jones at least appeared to have been camping; Richard’s bike didn’t have a tent peg in sight – his gear was apparently getting a lift home in Colin’s car!
It was breezy at Cranbrook Castle, but we found shelter beneath the earthworks. The view, however, was extensive and magnificent. After lunch, Michael Ward insisted we descend the rocky path to Fingle Bridge even though the two campers had just ascended it. However, justice was seen to be done when he got a puncture on the way down. Unfortunately, so did Richard, and three others had falls on the tricky descent.
Having sorted ourselves out we ascended steeply to Drewsteignton and continued past Castle Drogo to Chagford, from where we ascended again to the Postbridge road and headed towards Widecombe. On the narrow B-road, one driver got rather agitated when we proved it was quicker by bike as he was held up by oncoming traffic.
Phil then made himself more popular with the younger, more tired members by heading up the track towards Hamel Down. However, no-one took up the offer of an alternative easy descent to Widecombe, so we continued to the top, to be rewarded with a clear view to the coast at Teignmouth and Torbay.
Parts of the descent to Widecombe were again a little demanding but we all arrived in once piece at the café, where we tucked into cream teas, strawberries, gateau etc - and in Richard’s case, at least one of each!
No-one seemed too perturbed at the prospect of riding up Widecombe Hill now, as we were all looking forward to the exhilarating descent from Haytor to Bovey and home.
(Phil Burrows)
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
It was breezy at Cranbrook Castle, but we found shelter beneath the earthworks. The view, however, was extensive and magnificent. After lunch, Michael Ward insisted we descend the rocky path to Fingle Bridge even though the two campers had just ascended it. However, justice was seen to be done when he got a puncture on the way down. Unfortunately, so did Richard, and three others had falls on the tricky descent.
Having sorted ourselves out we ascended steeply to Drewsteignton and continued past Castle Drogo to Chagford, from where we ascended again to the Postbridge road and headed towards Widecombe. On the narrow B-road, one driver got rather agitated when we proved it was quicker by bike as he was held up by oncoming traffic.
Phil then made himself more popular with the younger, more tired members by heading up the track towards Hamel Down. However, no-one took up the offer of an alternative easy descent to Widecombe, so we continued to the top, to be rewarded with a clear view to the coast at Teignmouth and Torbay.
Parts of the descent to Widecombe were again a little demanding but we all arrived in once piece at the café, where we tucked into cream teas, strawberries, gateau etc - and in Richard’s case, at least one of each!
No-one seemed too perturbed at the prospect of riding up Widecombe Hill now, as we were all looking forward to the exhilarating descent from Haytor to Bovey and home.
(Phil Burrows)
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
I believe this was taken today at Fingle Bridge
Adam Nice follows the path over Hamel Down towards Widecombe
Martin Burrows and Adam Nice on the rough track from Hamel Down to Widecombe, with Widecombe Church below
Sunday 1 July 1984
09:00 - 18:00
09:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Exmouth
9 Participants:
Phil Benstead, Colin Brierly, Martin Burrows, Matthew Burrows, Phil Burrows, Adam Nice, Kevin Presland, Duncan Scott, Richard Wiseman
The hard ride (alternative to the afternoon ride) on 1st July was much more popular than expected, with ten riders meeting at Newton Abbot including Kevin Presland and Phil Benstead who had already ridden up from Plymouth. The destination was officially Exmouth, although I was hoping to get a little further, to Budleigh, by lunch.
We took a relatively easy route out to Chudleigh and then climbed to Haldon racecourse by way of the steep lane past Harcombe. Most agreed that this was a good alternative to the usual slog up Telegraph Hill.
As we rapidly descended Old Haldon Hill my glasses blew off, but I was lucky to retrieve them in one piece. We took to the old road through Kennford and the Exeter bypass, stopping at Countess Wear to replenish water bottles after just over an hour’s riding in the heat.
As we pressed on through Clyst St Mary, Woodbury Salterton and Common, Adam, who has only been with us for a month, was beginning to wilt a little at the back. However, after passing through pretty East Budleigh, we arrived on the beach at Budleigh Salterton after forty miles’ riding at precisely one o’clock. Is this a record for Torbay Section?
Five immediately changed and took to the water. It was freezing cold and Matthew and Kevin retreated quickly, although they did at least get wet up to their necks. Richard, Adam and myself actually swam for ten minutes before we had had enough!
After lunch we headed for Exmouth, but Colin soon left us to head for home. Exmouth beach was naturally crowded with people who knew better than to spend such a gorgeous day working up a sweat cycling. We made enquiries at the ferry, hoping to save a few miles, but had no joy.
After consuming ice-creams and the like we headed up a path alongside the river at Richard’s request, but soon gave up that idea when it became apparent we were not going to make rapid progress. A broken brake cable on Paul’s bike also influenced the decision.
On finding our way back to the main road we forsook this for the quieter lanes, via Woodbury (and another search for water) to Clyst St George. Time was getting on now, after the lost time in Exmouth, especially since we were supposed to meet the others at Denbury for tea at about 5pm. Adam was by now really suffering, but the other more experiences young ones, Paul, Duncan, Martin and Matthew, were all apparently taking things in their stride.
After a further stop at Countess Wear for water (again), Richard rode on at a tremendous speed over Telegraph Hill to let the others know we were on our way, while Kevin and Phil stayed back to accompany poor Adam and the rest of us rode on at our steady pace. We arrived at Denbury for tea over a period of an hour, most of the afternoon runners just leaving as our main bunch arrived.
The tea, however, lived up to our anticipation and it was a mere five-mile weary step back home to complete over eighty miles (except for the two Plymouthians who, I’m told, completed over a hundred and twenty miles in the day).
(Phil Burrows)
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
We took a relatively easy route out to Chudleigh and then climbed to Haldon racecourse by way of the steep lane past Harcombe. Most agreed that this was a good alternative to the usual slog up Telegraph Hill.
As we rapidly descended Old Haldon Hill my glasses blew off, but I was lucky to retrieve them in one piece. We took to the old road through Kennford and the Exeter bypass, stopping at Countess Wear to replenish water bottles after just over an hour’s riding in the heat.
As we pressed on through Clyst St Mary, Woodbury Salterton and Common, Adam, who has only been with us for a month, was beginning to wilt a little at the back. However, after passing through pretty East Budleigh, we arrived on the beach at Budleigh Salterton after forty miles’ riding at precisely one o’clock. Is this a record for Torbay Section?
Five immediately changed and took to the water. It was freezing cold and Matthew and Kevin retreated quickly, although they did at least get wet up to their necks. Richard, Adam and myself actually swam for ten minutes before we had had enough!
After lunch we headed for Exmouth, but Colin soon left us to head for home. Exmouth beach was naturally crowded with people who knew better than to spend such a gorgeous day working up a sweat cycling. We made enquiries at the ferry, hoping to save a few miles, but had no joy.
After consuming ice-creams and the like we headed up a path alongside the river at Richard’s request, but soon gave up that idea when it became apparent we were not going to make rapid progress. A broken brake cable on Paul’s bike also influenced the decision.
On finding our way back to the main road we forsook this for the quieter lanes, via Woodbury (and another search for water) to Clyst St George. Time was getting on now, after the lost time in Exmouth, especially since we were supposed to meet the others at Denbury for tea at about 5pm. Adam was by now really suffering, but the other more experiences young ones, Paul, Duncan, Martin and Matthew, were all apparently taking things in their stride.
After a further stop at Countess Wear for water (again), Richard rode on at a tremendous speed over Telegraph Hill to let the others know we were on our way, while Kevin and Phil stayed back to accompany poor Adam and the rest of us rode on at our steady pace. We arrived at Denbury for tea over a period of an hour, most of the afternoon runners just leaving as our main bunch arrived.
The tea, however, lived up to our anticipation and it was a mere five-mile weary step back home to complete over eighty miles (except for the two Plymouthians who, I’m told, completed over a hundred and twenty miles in the day).
(Phil Burrows)
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
Sunday 1 July 1984
14:15 - 18:00
14:15 - 18:00
Afternoon ride: Decided on the Day
0 Participants:
No participants recorded for this event
Sadly, no report was written for this ride at the time.
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
Sunday 8 July 1984
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Whitestone Wood
0 Participants:
No participants recorded for this event
Sadly, no report was written for this ride at the time.
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
Saturday 14 July 1984
18:00 - 23:59
18:00 - 23:59
Night Ride: All Night Run
0 Participants:
No participants recorded for this event
Sadly, no report was written for this ride at the time.
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
Sunday 15 July 1984
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Chagford
0 Participants:
No participants recorded for this event
Sadly, no report was written for this ride at the time.
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
Saturday 21 July 1984
11:00 - 23:00
11:00 - 23:00
Tour: Cornwall
Day 1: Home to Golant YH
Day 1: Home to Golant YH
Hot and sunny
32 miles (▲ 835m ▼ 835m)
32 miles (▲ 835m ▼ 835m)
8 Participants:
Andrew Billington, Steven Bowles, Martin Burrows, Michael Jones, Duncan Morley, Adam Nice, Jamie Spence, Simon Warner
The rendezvous for this foray into the western-most outreaches of the British Isles was Totnes station at 11.30 on Saturday 21 July, and as I cast my eyes over the group of six 12-14 year old miscreants that I was, in theory at least, partly responsible for, a cold chill gripped my heart. Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you must admit it makes an impressive opening sentence!
We squeezed our bikes into the guard’s van with the aid of a surprisingly friendly and helpful guard, and about twenty minutes and half a packed lunch later found our¬selves in Plymouth.
Taking some nasty major roads and even nastier major roundabouts through the town we reached the Torpoint ferry which took us, naturally enough, to Tor-point. From here we were soon able to say goodbye to nasty main roads before cycling through Antony and Portwrinkle, then following the coast road in the blazing sun to Downderry and then Seaton for a very welcome ice-cream stop.
Taking some fiddly little lanes, we reached a hamlet by the name of No-Man's Land, then rejoined the main road to Looe. We stopped here for a while to wander around the shops and stock up on such essentials as, in my case, sunglasses and a water-pistol - there's nothing like being armed when it comes to keeping control of pesky young cyclists, reasoned I!
A climb up to Pelynt, then a drop down to Bodinnick, brought us to the ferry to Fowey. Jamie had been feeling under the weather and lagging behind all day, but now came an uphill drag during which his speed decreased to a point only marginally greater than zero. Nonetheless, we fin¬ally made it and turned off along a track to Golant hostel where we arrived two minutes before the serving of an ex-cellent evening meal of Butterbean and Tomato Pie. Mike
Jones' tours just wouldn't be the same without the split second timing!
The evening was spent pursuing such mind-improving activities as pool and space-invaders.
(Andrew Billington)
We squeezed our bikes into the guard’s van with the aid of a surprisingly friendly and helpful guard, and about twenty minutes and half a packed lunch later found our¬selves in Plymouth.
Taking some nasty major roads and even nastier major roundabouts through the town we reached the Torpoint ferry which took us, naturally enough, to Tor-point. From here we were soon able to say goodbye to nasty main roads before cycling through Antony and Portwrinkle, then following the coast road in the blazing sun to Downderry and then Seaton for a very welcome ice-cream stop.
Taking some fiddly little lanes, we reached a hamlet by the name of No-Man's Land, then rejoined the main road to Looe. We stopped here for a while to wander around the shops and stock up on such essentials as, in my case, sunglasses and a water-pistol - there's nothing like being armed when it comes to keeping control of pesky young cyclists, reasoned I!
A climb up to Pelynt, then a drop down to Bodinnick, brought us to the ferry to Fowey. Jamie had been feeling under the weather and lagging behind all day, but now came an uphill drag during which his speed decreased to a point only marginally greater than zero. Nonetheless, we fin¬ally made it and turned off along a track to Golant hostel where we arrived two minutes before the serving of an ex-cellent evening meal of Butterbean and Tomato Pie. Mike
Jones' tours just wouldn't be the same without the split second timing!
The evening was spent pursuing such mind-improving activities as pool and space-invaders.
(Andrew Billington)
Sunday 22 July 1984
08:00 - 23:00
08:00 - 23:00
Tour: Cornwall
Day 2: Golant to Boswinger YH
Day 2: Golant to Boswinger YH
Sunny and warm
18 miles (▲ 520m ▼ 460m)
18 miles (▲ 520m ▼ 460m)
8 Participants:
Andrew Billington, Steven Bowles, Martin Burrows, Michael Jones, Duncan Morley, Adam Nice, Jamie Spence, Simon Warner
Sunday dawned clear and bright and remained so all day! We initiated our day's programme of activities with a quick ride into Golant to look around. Mike was particularly keen to locate and investigate a recording studio that he knew of in the area, so he and I set out to locate it. We did, after many enquiries, and were shown around by four charming girls aged between about three and nine, so thanks very much to them.
Rejoining the others, we set off on our way along the main road to Par. As we passed through the town, a Sunday market caught our collective eye and we stopped and wandered around for about an hour, after which those with¬out water-pistols were in a minority. On the way out, Jamie's bike slipped from underneath him on the loose ground and he had to be patched up by Nurse Mike, but he bore his injuries very bravely.
Circumnavigating St. Austell, we reached the beach at Porthpean in time for lunch followed by water-pistol fights. A few miles further and we were in Mevagissey, where we stopped for about an hour, which passed pleasantly with the aid of massive whirly ice-creams, an aquarium and a plague of seagulls. From there, we continued to Portmellon, then after a steep climb out the going was easy for the last couple of miles to Boswinger hostel.
We found ourselves sharing a dormitory with a young cyclist who came from "Up North" - and had the accent to prove it. He had been touring with a friend but had left
said friend behind, taking the maps with him, when the friend had begun to annoy him by moaning all the time.
The friend failed to put in an appearance during the evening and was presumed by "Mega" (so christened by us on account of his using that superlative to describe almost everything) to have taken a train home. Mega’s real name turned out to be Andrew Merrick, and I may say that his refusal to first tell us his Christian name, on the grounds that it was embarrassing, upset me immensely!
Later on we took a walk down to a nearby beach, and the youngsters went swimming and played games with Mike's tennis ball. This was brought to an end by the successful conclusion of a game called "Lose the Tennis Ball" which unfortunately had a less successful, outcome.
(Andrew Billington)
Rejoining the others, we set off on our way along the main road to Par. As we passed through the town, a Sunday market caught our collective eye and we stopped and wandered around for about an hour, after which those with¬out water-pistols were in a minority. On the way out, Jamie's bike slipped from underneath him on the loose ground and he had to be patched up by Nurse Mike, but he bore his injuries very bravely.
Circumnavigating St. Austell, we reached the beach at Porthpean in time for lunch followed by water-pistol fights. A few miles further and we were in Mevagissey, where we stopped for about an hour, which passed pleasantly with the aid of massive whirly ice-creams, an aquarium and a plague of seagulls. From there, we continued to Portmellon, then after a steep climb out the going was easy for the last couple of miles to Boswinger hostel.
We found ourselves sharing a dormitory with a young cyclist who came from "Up North" - and had the accent to prove it. He had been touring with a friend but had left
said friend behind, taking the maps with him, when the friend had begun to annoy him by moaning all the time.
The friend failed to put in an appearance during the evening and was presumed by "Mega" (so christened by us on account of his using that superlative to describe almost everything) to have taken a train home. Mega’s real name turned out to be Andrew Merrick, and I may say that his refusal to first tell us his Christian name, on the grounds that it was embarrassing, upset me immensely!
Later on we took a walk down to a nearby beach, and the youngsters went swimming and played games with Mike's tennis ball. This was brought to an end by the successful conclusion of a game called "Lose the Tennis Ball" which unfortunately had a less successful, outcome.
(Andrew Billington)
Preparing to leave Golant youth hostel
View of the railway line from the level crossing in Golant, looking towards Fowey
Simon Warner and Steven Bowles at Mevagissey harbour
Sunday 22 July 1984
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Bolt Head
5 Participants:
Colin Brierly, Jean Brierly, Matthew Burrows, John Stuart, Richard Wiseman
A hazy morning on July 22nd for our run to Bolt Head. We climbed up from Harbertonford where Jean and Colin departed at the top with chain trouble. Lunch was at a small cove where we stayed for about three hours, swimming and diving from the sharp rocks.
We lost Matthew as we came in to Salcombe. We took the ferry across to save us about ten miles, then met up with John for tea at Torcross. We all felt we were paying the price for living in the South West when it came for us to pay for our tea and cakes.
We took the Higher ferry from Dartmouth and tried to avoid the rough part of the road which gave us a massaging experience. That evening the sunset was impressive as it set slowly over the south coast.
(Richard Wiseman)
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]
We lost Matthew as we came in to Salcombe. We took the ferry across to save us about ten miles, then met up with John for tea at Torcross. We all felt we were paying the price for living in the South West when it came for us to pay for our tea and cakes.
We took the Higher ferry from Dartmouth and tried to avoid the rough part of the road which gave us a massaging experience. That evening the sunset was impressive as it set slowly over the south coast.
(Richard Wiseman)
[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]