Date: Tuesday 30th July 2013
Route: Walkhampton, Paddy's Hill, Pew Tor, Feather Tor, Cox Tor, Staple Tor, Merrivale Quarry, Merrivale Stone Rows, Kings Tor, Short Cut, Walkhampton Inn.
Riders: Keith, Paddy, Greg, Jude, Gidon, Colin, Martyn, Neil & Wooders
Depart: 19:45
Arrive: 21:50
Distance: 12 miles
Weather: Warm & dry

It started with a text, ‘what bike did you bring down? Thought you might like a ride’.

Thirty one hours later and I was waiting, slightly nervously, with Martyn for the GOWCC posse to gather outside the Walkhampton Inn. Once introductions had been completed nine riders set off on a very short and swift road decent followed by a steep climb, (during which I nearly ran out of gears, was this a sensible type of cycling?) with further climbs towards Pew Tor and Feather Tor with flat bits in-between (don’t they know how to go downhill?) and then another climb. There then followed another climb which took us to the north of Staple Tor and the comment was made, again, of ‘don’t you guys do downhill?’

A too brief decent did follow to Merrivale, but another climb past Dartmoor Inn and then out onto the moor again which eventually took us to the railway track at Kings Tor. This was followed towards Princetown (I guess because this was uphill) before it was decided that ‘time and beer waited for no-one’. A rapid decent (ahh the joy, downhill) of a track led us back to the railway line and a blast westwards (a gentle downhill, more joy). Punctures occurred during this section of the ride and apparent sympathy was shown as the remaining riders waited and offered suitable help and advice. Joining the tarmac road to Walkhampton, a very quick decent (we were being spoilt now) with mouths closed, followed before some chips and a rejuvenating pint or two were supped in the Walkhampton.

On being asked later, by a number of people, what the ride was like, reply’s included, ‘great, I would like to join them again if asked/time allowed, they do like going uphill’. Thank you to one and all for allowing me to join you for a great evening of cycling and entertainment.

Reporter: Wooders (guest rider with Woodbridge in his name)!