Ride Reports
Torbryan
A short, post-Christmas excursion through the local lanes brought a few brave members to the gate outside Torbryan church, the seat proving useful for Nick's Paignton contingent ...
Cinema Trip - Roger Rabbit
[There were actually 16 people taking part in this trip, but I don't currently have the complete list]
This unscheduled cinema trip, hastily arranged at the Christmas Lunch, mad...
Christmnas Social
There was plenty of action at the Section's last festive occasion for 1988. Apart from the usual computer games there was a showing of part 1 of "Dartmoor, The Threatened Wilderne...
Skerraton Down moorland descents
Post-Christmas enthusiasm carried us up to Skerraton Down, the long pull past Nurston and a rough track worrying the younger riders before wide views and quick descents repaid the effort. Harmless tumbles into soft moor and the usual water fights gave the day its character.
Duncannon and River Dart views
An easy post-Christmas spin to Duncannon set the tone: a swift drop down Blagdon Hill, quiet lanes to Stoke Gabriel, then a fifteen-minute pause for wide views over the Dart before looping back by the millpond. Ideal for welcoming two new cyclists and trimming mince-pie bulges.
Owley lanes to Shipley Bridge
Drizzle and doubts over the moor track shaped the day: we reached Bittaford, skipped the crossing and took quiet lanes near Owley, past streams and woodland to Shipley Bridge. Mishaps told, with Luke Hatherly’s derailleur falling apart and the Avonwick departure delayed an hour.
Highway Code quiz at Silver Street
Held at Richard Hopper’s home, the Highway Code quiz proved a useful exercise, with a clear improvement in members’ knowledge, though some regulars were absent.
Exeter Ship Canal via Turf Lock
A record turnout for an ordinary Sunday ride set the tone on the run to the Exeter Ship Canal. A snapped crank at Turf Lock forced an early lunch and retrieval plan, and later a pair of puncture-resistant punctures in the winter dark supplied the day’s closing joke.
Instow youth hostel weekend by rail 2
Eighteen riders, midwinter, and a plan that hinged on trains and goodwill. We stunned a Barnstaple guard by fitting every bike into his DMU van, rode the Exeter riverside path into a stinging hailstorm, then later rolled along the Torridge in sun. A translated New Year greeting from a Soviet cyclist passed round the carriage set the tone. On Sunday the North Devon Section joined us and the estuary felt like spring.
Music quiz at Alston Farm Cottage
Andrew's music quiz at Alston Farm Cottage had nothing to do with cycling, yet delivered a good-humoured evening; 25p covered entry and refreshments.
Dartmouth Castle via Dittisham
On a crisp, sunny day the club threaded a cautious path to Dartmouth Castle, Michael’s steep detours and a rough track adding bite. A wash in Old Mill Creek ended with Martyn in the water, and a missed turn after the ferry later split the bunch as the cold returned at dusk.
Denbury meet, Broadhempston loop
Another attendance record fell, but with Bradley Woods unreachable we improvised: Richard and Andrew were dispatched to bring the Marldon masses back to Denbury, where all regrouped on the Green. Nick Buchanan was disappointed at yet another Denbury rendezvous before we rolled to Broadhempston.