Date: Tuesday 30th April 2013
Route: WP, Meavy, Lovaton, Cadover, Trig Point, Lee Moor, Quick Bridge, Clay Pits, Big Pond, Cadover, HQ.
Riders: James, Gidon, Keith, Colin, Dan, Jude & Sam
Depart: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 22:10
Distance: 18 miles
Weather: Perfect

Having exchanged pleasantries with the evening’s roadies; Greg and ‘tarmac’ Thompson. Heard Alan’s exploits at the Rockin bikes demo day: Keith, James, Gidon, Colin, Dan, Jude and Sam decided on a route taking in the clay pits. A sunny and almost windless evening, you’d be crazy not to be out tonight! Heading down to Meavy and rather than take the usual Earthquake option, instead taking the path skirting Callisham, bound for Lovaton. The ground is hard and apart from the stiles this was an enjoyable alternative.

Popping out at Higher Lovaton farm, down the road to Cadover, right left immediately after the bridge. A steady climb up the hill to Blackaton cross, from here to the trig point, otherwise known as Saddlesborough. Perfect timing as we were able to watch the sun disappear over Cornwall from our vantage point (see below), it doesn’t get much better than this.

We took the usual route through the pits and as the ground was relatively dry and therefore speedy progress was made to the back of Lee Moor. Again a bit of road to take us east, through the woods to Quick bridge. Jude suffered a recurring technical, pedal arm sheared from its bottom bracket, for which, somehow a temporary repair was found. We had now reached our furthest point so inevitably minds turned to the pub and liquid and crispy refreshments. The rocky and difficult climb north, skirting the clay pits; a little pushing was required at this point.

Regrouping at the highest point, it was now a race to bomb as quickly as possible past Big Pond, back toward Blackaton. Straight down the road now, Cadover, Gratton and finally HQ. The roadies had just arrived and so over one or two ales we were able to compare the stats of the evening.

Reporter: Sam