Ride Reports
First evening ride to Spitchwick
The first Buckfastleigh evening ride of the new season began shakily when Michael’s Romany, ridden by Neil, seized its bottom bracket near Buckfast, forcing a quick bike change. We climbed Hembury to Spitchwick, where Matthew and Paul had a brief 'scrap', before returning via Ashburton.
Burrator and the Princetown riot
An energetic windswept run to Burrator and on to Princetown was made memorable by the Dartmoor Prison riot: a police helicopter, satellite dishes and TV cameras framed our cafe stop. A cut knee for Martin Hills and behaviour that upset the Foxtor proprietor added extra colour.
Haccombe and Coffinswell dusk ride
An evening ride to Haccombe and Coffinswell turned memorable when Dave fell at Aller petrol station, then spent miles with a bat darting in front of him—was it an omen? We got home about 10pm after nearly twenty miles.
Beaston tracks and a fox near miss
A brisk evening run from Green Lane towards the Beaston track set the tone: quick tweaks, fast descents and mud-splashed coats, with the worst of the muddy pools dried. The night’s jolt came near Baddaford when a fox shot from the hedge, missing Michael’s front wheel by centimetres.
Mid Wales rough-stuff tour 1990 5
Hail rattled their helmets the day they crossed into Wales, and the weather never stopped testing them. A red flag on a firing range sent them the long way round despite Andrew’s proposal of twig “camouflage”. Snow fell on the Devil’s Staircase, yet Andrew and Jeremy rode back down to climb it again. Most memorable was off‑grid Dolgoch, where warden George fussed with gas lamps as thunder rolled and then bought Richard’s juggling beanbags.
Bradley Wood Easter Special
The Easter Special’s mystery grid reference led us to Bradley Wood and a lively afternoon on the tracks. The defining moment came at Chercombe Bridge: we crept in expecting the famously irate householder, only to find the gate unattended and the stile mercifully free of confrontation.
Cornish coast and Land's End 1990 8
Atlantic headwinds and cliff‑top lanes set the tone for a spirited tour of the Cornish coast. Lunch opposite St Michael’s Mount turned to a sandstorm, and a crosswind at Deadman’s Cove blew riders into the verge. Evening high jinks peaked with an ill‑advised skinny‑dip and runaway underwear. It ended with a dash to Liskeard, bikes crammed into a removal van to catch the train.
Sharpham drive and River Dart views
A sunny evening on the Sharpham drive brought broad views over the Dart and plenty of lively rough-riding, a first taste of this route for Dave Robinson and Philip Roberts. A rugged stretch above the river gave the ride its edge.
Rattery via Colston, Dean Hill
We headed into the wind hoping for a tailwind home, drifting along Colston Road without a fixed plan, nearly turning to Staverton at Huxham’s Cross before opting for Rattery. The plan backfired, a headwind in the last miles, though the drop down Dean Hill eased the effort.
Haytor tramway, Bovey and Lustleigh
A blustery outing on the Haytor Tramway became a test of grit, bouncing over granite and mending mishaps as we went. A trailside resurrection of Marcus’s bent derailleur stood out, and even the Riverside Cafe was snubbed—twice.
Stoke Gabriel riverside detour
We took the back lanes through Blagdon to Stoke Gabriel, but high water blocked the riverbank; we rerouted via the track to Long Road and into Galmpton.
Skerraton Down and Cross Furzes
A sunny moorland evening ride brought far-reaching views and an exhilarating descent to Cross Furzes, and this time no bull barred the way. We also welcomed new riders Alan Ashworth and Keir Manning.