Date: Tuesday 14th September 2010
Route: Horrabridge, Railway, Grenofen Bridge, West Down, Bedford Square,
Plasterdown, Walkhampton, HQ.
Riders: Keith, Paddy & Colin.
Depart: 19:45
Arrived Tavi: 20:45
Depart Tavi: 22:15
Arrive HQ: 22:45
Distance: 15 miles
Weather: Mild and dry.
The Tour of Britain - Part One
There was lots of enthusiasm during the day for the ride to Tavi to take in
the Tour of Britain Party in Bedford Square, but after a day of constant rain,
numbers
dwindled and only three gents were prepared to get a soaking. But, as is often
the case, the last rain fell at precisely 7:29pm!
So how do you get to Tavi off road? We took Martyn's decent to Horrabridge, along
the old railway to the switch backs before heading for Double Waters, then Julian's
Loop up to West Down before the long decent into Tavistock. Cycling through the
Park we could hear the familiar sounds of Seth Lakeman reverberating through
the night air.
We managed to find room in the designated cycle park, then straight
to the beer tent but aborted that idea after a five minute wait getting nowhere.
So
into the crowd with Seth still going strong. Saw Paul, Nick and Martyn who
had all come by car! Took in the start of Mad Dog then set off for HQ.
Went by road past the Golf Club, Plasterdown, Huckworthy and Walkhampton. All
really glad we didn't have a pint in Tavi, it's tough by road, you don't get
any rests! Just time for one pint then off to bed to get ready for an early rise
on race day.
The leaders fight for the
Mountain Points
The peloton soon follows
Date: Wednesday 15th September 2010
Route: WP, Yennadon, Railway, Short Cut, Princetown, Race, South Hessary, Earthquake,
Home.
Riders: Keith, David, Paul & Brian.
Depart: 08:15
Arrived Princetown: 09:15
Depart Princetown: 12:00
Arrive Home: 13:00
Distance: 24 miles
Weather: Dry, sunny, windy.
The Tour of Britain - Part Two
Race day, woke early and unlocked
the golf club. Cycled to WP where there was an early gathering
of gents. The roadies were still planning their ride before
breakfast as Paul, David and myself headed to Princetown
off road. It was a sunny dry morning and going up the old railway
it became quite warm. We were in good time so stopped off at the
Old Police
Station for a coffee.
We headed out of Princetown on the Tavi road where Paul and I
overtook a slow roadie!! Met up with Colin, Stephen, Steve, Paddy,
Fraser,
Greg
and my brother
Brian by the old pump house. As we stood around in the large crowds
we soon cooled down in the strong September wind. There was lots
of activity with official vehicles going up the road, then the
camera helicopter flew over and the riders could be seen in the
distance below Cox Tor.
Then the first few appeared racing for the King of the Mountain
points. The other ninety odd went by and that was it apart
from the legion of support vehicles. Like just about everybody
else, we headed for the Fox Tor cafe for a bacon butty, but got
beaten
by the roadies, GOWCC roadies included! Paul, Brian and myself
went back to the Old Police Station instead.
After the requisite tea and bacon butties, off we headed on the
South Hessary
circuit. Went past the Spielberg camp then
one more detour down Earthquake before returning home. Great event
and a great way to spend a Wednesday!
Reporter: Keith
Mark Renshaw
Andre Greipel
Photos
courtesy of David Parlby (top) & Daranee Thompson (bottom).
