South Dartmoor CTC Album

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Page 5 of 109 (1086 items)
Monday 20 April 1987
Tour: Cornish Coast
Day 3 Boswinger to Perranporth
Sunny
15 Participants: Richard Burge, Catherine Burnard, Paul Deslandes, Marc Dolley, Philip Humphreys, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Warren Masters, Graham Moates, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Martin Olney, Mark Williams
From Boswinger we rode to St Just in Roseland, investigating the picturesque church and gardens there. We then headed north and crossed the river Fal on the King Harry ferry. Our route then took us on to the north coast of Cornwall at Perranporth, famous for its incredibly large beach. The small, simple hostel is perched on a cliff overlooking the beach.

When we had cooked our food and cleaned up the kitchen we walked down to the beach to play in the glorious sunset.
Tuesday 21 April 1987
Tour: Cornish Coast
Day 4 Perranporth to Treyarnon Bay
Sunny
15 Participants: Richard Burge, Catherine Burnard, Paul Deslandes, Marc Dolley, Philip Humphreys, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Warren Masters, Graham Moates, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Martin Olney, Mark Williams
First stop today was The World in Miniature attraction at Goonhavern, just up the hill from Perranporth. We managed to find most of the world's most famous buildings right there in Cornwall!

We rode through Newquay and on to Mawgan Porth, where we stopped to explore the Bedruthan Steps that lead down to the beach and cove.

Treyarnon Bay youth hostel is a little further up the coast, through a series of twisty lanes. The hostel is right next to an excellent beach with its own rockpools.
Wednesday 22 April 1987
Tour: Cornish Coast
Day 5 Treyarnon Bay to Tintagel
Sunny
15 Participants: Richard Burge, Catherine Burnard, Paul Deslandes, Marc Dolley, Philip Humphreys, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Warren Masters, Graham Moates, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Martin Olney, Mark Williams
After taking photos and exploring the nearby beach we rode to Trevose Head where we were able to go inside the lighthouse and have a good look around.

Next stop was the popular fishing village of Padstow, from where we followed the Camel Trail cycle path as far as Wadebridge. We stopped at one point to play on the estuary near the path.

Some more lanes brought us to Delabole, famous for its slate production. There was a visitor centre there so we spent a little time looking around.

A descent and stiff climb brought us to Tintagel, from where a track led us across the unspoiled headland to the hostel, located in a commanding position overlooking the sea. We were fortunate enough to be allocated the front dormitory, overlooking the sea and partially submerged in the headland.
Thursday 23 April 1987
Tour: Cornish Coast
Day 6 Tintagel to Home
Sunny
15 Participants: Richard Burge, Catherine Burnard, Paul Deslandes, Marc Dolley, Philip Humphreys, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Warren Masters, Graham Moates, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Martin Olney, Mark Williams
There was more sunshine for our final day. The ride to the picture postcard village of Boscastle was just a few miles, and here we spent an enjoyable time playing in the water and taking photos.

A stiff climb took us out of the village and over towards Bodmin Moor. We took the lanes towards Altarnun which included a number of fords - our youngsters couldn't resist riding them over and over again.

After a stretch of main road to Jamaica Inn we took the valley road to Liskeard, which followed the river downhill all the way. This was a very scenic route, and provided a fitting end to an excellent Easter tour.

Our train left Liskeard at 1.30pm and took us all back to Totnes, from where Catherine continued to Bristol and the rest of us were collected by various parents.
Sunday 26 April 1987
Day ride (With Torbay CTC): Redlake
Sunny
11 Participants: Richard Burge, Richard Hopper, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Glen Powling, Luke Rake, Andrew Simmons
Colin, Vic and Iris (Torbay and Plymouth sections) all deserted us at Avonwick, preferring to select their own terrestrial routes rather than accompany us over open moorland.

We pushed through Wrangaton golf course to the peak of Ugborough Beacon for lunch, where fine views from Erme Valley to Teignmouth could be enjoyed. A passing train seemed to take an eternity to travel from Ivybridge to South Brent despite its '125' status, but we managed to follow its progress right through to Marley tunnel before its distance rendered it invisible.

Crossing behind the beacon we quickly joined the old tramway, following its course into the heart of the South Moor at a snail's pace (Mark Moxham was the snail, probably because he didn't want to scratch his new bike). We then followed the Abbot's Way from Crossways back to Cross Furzes, which (much to Glenn's dismay) involved careering down a bumpy slope, crossing a clapped-out clapper bridge, tackling a number of bogs and streams and climbing a stile. We made it, however, and still had time for afternoon tea at the Crofters cafeteria.
Sunday 10 May 1987
Day ride (With Torbay CTC): Devon DA Rough Stuff Event
Sunny
15 Participants: Chris Blight, Richard Burge, Marc Dolley, Richard Hopper, John Iles, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Gareth Lee, Graham Moates, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Luke Rake, Andrew Simmons, John Stuart
Our Section certainly seemed to enjoy this year's event, kindly organised by Arthur Browne of Exeter. The track through Bridford Wood, near Dunsford, was certainly a pleasure but I was surprised when Chris and Gareth came around again! Clearly the fork at the end failed to make it clear which route was the way out, and Colin being in the wrong marshalling place couldn't have helped them.

Nevertheless a good time was had by all, everything being rounded off nicely by the generously-provided tea.
Sunday 24 May 1987
Weekend ride: Salcombe Youth Hostel
Day 2
Sunny
14 Participants: Chris Blight, Richard Burge, Paul Deslandes, Richard Hopper, Philip Humphreys, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Gareth Lee, Warren Masters, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Luke Rake, Andrew Simmons, John Stuart
Next morning we were to rendezvous with the day-riders at Torcross cafe, so we were obliged to take the ferry to East Portlemouth (in the usual three consignments) where we enjoyed morning coffee outside in the chill wind. The maize of lanes near South Pool inspired a massive bike swap, but eventually we arrived at Torcross at the same time as Richard and Mark (the day-riders).

There were, of course, the usual silly games on Slapton Sands after lunch, Chris being the one who suffered most from the huge waves that pounded the beach. The return journey was along the usual route through Strete, the only significant event being Warren's collision with a car at the top of the Slapton track. Fortunately he was unhurt, but it provided an opportunity for Michael to remind everyone of the importance of good road-safety.
Sunday 14 June 1987
Day ride: Plym Valley
Sunny
13 Participants: Chris Blight, Richard Burge, Richard Hopper, Simon Hopper, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Gareth Lee, Warren Masters, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Luke Rake, Malcolm Sheldon, Andrew Simmons
The original plan for this ride had included the use of a train from Totnes to Plymouth, the extra time gained allowing us to return via Princetown. A subsequent phonecall to BR however revealed that there were no suitable trains available, so we were prepared to change the destination as the youngsters rolled up to the start.

After making a courtesy visit to the Avonwick pick-up a unanimous decision was made to go for the original destination via the A38, making a return through Cornwood and Ivybridge. We don't normally choose to ride on dual carriageways, but everyone took advantage of the opportunity for a faster sprint and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the morning sunshine.

When we finally reached the start of the cycle path (a BMX park was responsible for the delay) food was beginning to dominate the conversation. A delightful grassy glade, about a quarter of the way up the valley, made an excellent dining area, providing remote peace and woodland tranquility as added extras. Wildlife abounded here - the whole scene could easily have been taken from a storybook picture.

We followed the old railway track for several scenic miles, crossing three viaducts and blundering through a pitch-black tunnel along the way (this latter activity giving plenty of scope for amusement). The youngsters still showed no signs of wilting, so Richard and Michael decided to risk the originally-planned moorland return.

This route got off to a bad start when the last stretch of track to Clearbrook turned out to be cut off nearly at the end, and two punctures and a collision were collected during the backtracking. Nevertheless we soon braved the hills through Wigford Down and Meavy and even had the time (and energy) to divert past Burrator reservoir, which always seems to have a magnetic attraction.

But then began the hard work. The road to Princetown proved to be little short of a four mile climb, and quite a steep one at that. As if that wasn't bad enough, the thunder clouds that seemed to have been hovering over the moor throughout the day now deprived us of our sunshine so that when we finally arrived at the Fox Tor cafe we were more than ready to enjoy its warmth and other delights. Some of the lads queued up outside the gents toilets - for the hot air driers!

This stop saved the day for many of us, the return route through Hexworthy feeling relatively easy despite its occasional climbs. When the sunshine returned at Scorriton everyone felt pleased to have completed the Section's hardest ever ride. But there were more rewards to come - a full tea at Crofters was all that was needed to complete one of our most adventurous rides of the year.
Sunday 21 June 1987
Day ride: Blackingstone Rock
Sunny
11 Participants: Chris Blight, Richard Burge, Richard Hopper, Simon Hopper, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Gareth Lee, Luke Rake, Andrew Simmons, John Stuart
Exeter A Section decided to join South Dartmoor Section for this joint ride, but sadly the meeting didn't take place as planned because the Sections went to the rock on different Sundays! Evidently the geographical location of the Sections in Devon does not aid their intercommunications.

The ride turned out to be another favourite with the members. No doubt the Primrose café helped to get the day off to a good start, but the water frolics at North Bovey's ford and the ice-cream stop at Hound Tor rounded off proceedings nicely.
Saturday 18 July 1987
Weekend ride: Beer Youth Hostel
Day 1
Mixed
15 Participants: Richard Burge, Richard Hopper, Simon Hopper, Philip Humphreys, John Iles, Brett Jamieson, Gary Johnson, Michael Jones, Warren Masters, Jason Morris, Mark Morris, Mark Moxham, Andrew Simmons, John Stuart, Jeremy Weston
The weather looked rather threatening and the forecast had not been promising when the first six set off from Buckfastleigh. Along the way to the ferry at Starcross six more were added to the party at the agreed points and we arrived there in good time - 12:20. Lunch was consumed while we waited, and the appearance of the diminutive craft reminded those of us who had been on the Scotland tour (1986) of the 'ferry' between North Uist and Harris. It was a squeeze to get us on, with the master rather concerned about his paintwork, but at 80p per bike he couldn't really complain. It's worth noting that he left five minutes early, so a last minute dash for the ferry might not be worthwhile.

At Budleigh, Jason was the last to join the group, and Michael let the youngsters play on the beach for a few minutes - the weather had held so far. On to Sidmouth and the Mocha cafe, where 'Patrons are requested to keep their dogs leashed and on the floor'!

Over the river Sid and British Gas jokes, up the worst hill of the day for the delightful sight of the hostel. It now started to rain. We realised how hard when Graham, Jackie and Matthew from Torbay dripped in an hour later. Further entertainment was provided partly by the warden, who had a fire drill at 10.30, and partly by Brett, who was annoyed to find that he had put some holly in his own bed.
Page 5 of 109 (1086 items)
Events Index Gallery Participants