Date: Sunday 9th October 2011
Route: Coypool, Yelverton, Meavy, Railway, Princetown, Nun's Cross, Hoo Meavy, Coypool.
Riders: Paddy, Glen & Keith
Depart: 8:20am
Return: 11:32am
Distance: 35 miles
Weather: Wet & foggy but mild

Tour de Moor 9-10-11

Paddy's military planning worked to perfection and he delivered the three of us to Coypool half an hour before our off time of 8:20am. As our start time approached I moved my bike near the start line, not for a quick getaway, but to use the nearby toilet! When the tape rose Glen sprinted ahead, something that didn't really change for the next 35 miles!

I had expected a gentle ride up to the tunnel along a crowded path, but 825 of the 900 participants were behind us and after a brisk start we slowed a little until two quicker riders passed. Team Leader Glen immediately instructed Paddy to stick to the rear wheel. We spent the next five miles doing 17mph which took us nicely to the first (and worst) climb of the day. Seeing the Goodameavy Hill littered with dismounted riders gave us a little boost though.

Onwards to Yelverton and the hoped for reception from WP. We must have gone far too quickly and we were greeted only by the Hambly family, we passed in a flash, exchanging pleasantries as we went! The rest of WP must have been in bed or tucking into their porridge!

We crossed the B3212 with the help of a nice man called Alan who kindly lifted our bikes over the fence. Now the big slog all the way along the snaking old railway to Princetown. As I hadn't had the normal breaks that you get on a Tuesday evening to decide where to go or to regroup, or fix a puncture, I was starting to feel the pace. Glen slowed down to let me catch up and I suspect Paddy was quite pleased to ease off a little as well.

We arrived at the water station by the Plume, refueled then very soon cracked on along the Nun's Cross motorway. The weather was at it's worst here, foggy and wet, but at least it was mild. The track was muddy and one puddle would be an inch deep then the next would be a foot deep and you couldn't tell the difference between the two until you were committed!

I soon lost sight of Glen and Paddy along the stretch to Eyelsbarrow, got passed by two other riders then re-passed one of them going uphill. Glen had to stop for a mechanical check but decided the strange goings on with the rear mech were harmless as it was pretty much all down hill from here.

As we regrouped by the Scout Hut we were passed by a lady. This initiated an instant remount and the using up of far too much energy just to get back past her! From here on in I thought it would be plain sailing, but the hill up from Hoo Meavy hurt and even the Plym Valley track back to Coypool was harder than expected and because it was now busy we went down it far slower than we'd gone up it three hours earlier!!

We finally crossed the finish line at 11:32am, de-registered then enjoyed the best hotdog I'd ever had! Paddy's bike was back to normal now, it just didn't look right when it was clean! We met all five Cades as they finished the 7 mile family ride and they got five hotdogs for a total of 35 miles when I only got one for the same distance! It should be recorded that Alan stated his intention to do the full 35 mile trip next year. At that moment I felt that I wouldn't ride next year, but by Monday morning when I saw Glen as we dropped off our children at school, I was starting to change my mind.

Report by Keith