Past Ride
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Sat May 9th 2015
| Devon Day One | 3* |
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Leader:Nicole Pethybridge |
Start Time:9:00 am |
Start Location:TBA |
Description:A clockwise route from Smithaleigh South Devon through Ivybridge & Buckfast Abbey to Holne. Up onto the high moor via Hexworthy and west to Princetown. West around to Burrator, Sheeps Tor and Cadover. Back in via Wooter and CornwoodSome took a final loop to Harford and Ivybridge |
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Riders:Andy PixtonDavid Smith John Tranter Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Nicole Pethybridge Richard Pethybridge Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Weather: Report:Nine of us; Andy, Katherine, Jon, Karen, John, Ursula, David, Richard and Nicole had convened at the Smithaleigh Hotel in South Devon. At breakfast there was a little concern with the water falling from the sky and several weather reports were compared to try to cheer us up and decide what to wear.Heading off for an anticlockwise route the weather had actually cleared and we set off in the dry. Within 5 miles we all realised that we had too many clothes on and after what was to be a relatively small climb out of Ivybridge we all stripped off a bit. Discussing the hills could take almost a long as the ride but needless to say we went up and down several times before a lovely long swoop into Buckfast Abbey. Here we met some Devon CTC members who were joining us. The extra 5 included Johnny (age 5) as stoker behind his Dad, Toby on a tandem and ably helped by his dog ‘Little Un’ in the saddle bag (See picture). Mum; Nikki and friends Andy and Simon joined the gang and we made 14 plus dog as we headed off again. The first of the ‘real’ climbs started through winding hamlets up to Holne Village Café. A wonderful little stop nestled in the hills with tea, coffee and cake provided by the community run café. Stoked up our family left us and the remaining 11 started the daunting yet wonderfully rewarding climb up onto the high moor. For a newcomer to the moor this is where the hamlets, streams and mixed woodland landscape gives way to bronzed moorland. With wide ranging views and granite Tors the effort is amply rewarded. Once on the top we continued with the ups and downs –yet of a more dramatic style all the way to the highest point on the moor –Princetown. Everyone agreed that normally a 10 -12 mile ride between coffee and lunch would have been thought a little light weight but not here and the lunch stop at The Fox Tor Café in Princetown was very warm and welcome. Stocked up again we rode across the top of the moor, waving at a few Ten Tors walkers and took the welcome swoop down westwards. This wonderful decent came with a challenge with a dead stop, left turn and step upward gradient in a reverse direction. Everyone managed to get into the right gear but a few did topple over at this point!!! Believe it or not yet more undulating and challenging little climbs we weaved our way to Burrator Reservoir and a beautiful moss and lichen laden lane below Sheep’s Tor. An easier section through Cadover with views of the sea and a long downhill to Cornwood rewarded the day’s effort. Here some riders decided they really hadn’t had enough of the hills and took an extra loop up to Harford and back round through Ivybridge whilst the rest of us took the final few roads back to Smithaleigh. A demanding yet rewarding all day ride of 51 miles for some and a few more for Richard, Andy and David. We kept dry and saw some of the wonders of our beautiful countryside. | ||
Distance:81.47 km (50.62 mi) | ||
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- 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.
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- 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.
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