The Highway Magazine May-Jun 2020

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The I-Spy-Solation Issue! r i d e

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“Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia.”

H.G. Wells

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v o l u m e 6 9 n u m b e r 7

WELCOME TO OUR CYCLING MAGAZINE. Hello and welcome.

CHAIRMAN: KEVIN PRESLAND Hind Street House Hind Street Bovey Tracey TQ13 9HT T: 01626 833749 E: kevin.hindstreet@btinternet.com SECRETARY: GRAHAM BRODIE 10 Courtney Road Newton Abbot TQ12 1HP T: 01626 335130 E: brodie@bikerider.com EDITOR & DESIGN: SHAUN EAST 5 Bridge Terrace Tuckenhay TQ9 7EH T: 07748816396 E: thehighwayman@yahoo.com SUBSCRIPTIONS & DISTRIBUTIONS: GEOFFREY SHARPE 35 Claredon Road Ipplepen TQ12 5QS T: 01803 812743 E: geoffsharpe35@gmail.com

In usual style we are a bit late with the magazine. As expected, due to the pandemic, copy has been low. I would like to thank all those at Plymouth CTC for providing ride reports via their very good website. If you wish to see what PCTC have been up too, then they have done a marvellous job of covering all of their ride reports on their website. We have included some of the more recent rides within the opening pages. Further thanks go to Edward Gameson, for his consistent and comprehensive “Ted’s Topics” - Thanks Ted! This issue namely covers the 10 weeks of South Devon CTC’s I-Spy-Solation. This is a commemorative magazine.

It has been amazing to see so many people out on their bikes engaging with their local area as they may have never done so beforehand. The weekly questions have had us pouring over OS maps and thinking creatively on how you can respond to some of the clues. I know the judges have particularly enjoyed at lot of the themed dressing up and it has certainly bought smiles to faces during quite uncertain times.

At this stage, I would like to thanks the judging panel and those who have assisted with the weekly clues. But without you all, this contest would have never been the same. So turn to your riding partner or look in the mirror and give yourself a round of applause, bravo!

LAST COPY DATE: May | Number 07 | 31st JUL PUBLICATION DATE:

JUL | Number 07 | 1st Aug COVER PICTURE:

Commemorative I-Spy-Solation Badge - Designed by Shaun East

Following the success of this competition South Devon CTC are pleased to announce a monthly competition: I Spy, I Cycle. You may have seen the e-mail from Kevin for the first months clues.

Good luck & chapeau!

- Shaun East.

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News & Letters

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South Devon CTC Updates & News from the cycling world.

I-Spy-Solation Badges & Stickers soon to arrive.

Trophy up for grabs!

Thanks to all that have taken part in the I-Spy-Solation contest. For those of you that have participated, you will receive a commemorative brass badge and sticker.

As I write this piece the final scores are being tallied by the judges and the trophy on the left, kindly turned by the capable hands of our own Steve Main will be awarded to the overall winner. Please keep an eye out on the secretaries’ e-mail for the results.

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Photo Competition.

The Devon Climate Emergency Team of Devon County Council need your photos!

They are creating a new website and would like people to contribute what they consider a Net-zero carbon future.

So if you are a budding photographer or have a vision of what a net zero carbon future might look like then go to the below weblink: www.devonclimateemergency.org.uk/ photo-competition/ It could be about cycling or many of the catogories on the competition site. The illustration above might be a starting point for a thriving future. All submissions by 15th July 2020.

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Ringmore Charlaborough Shilston Barton Date: 28th June 2020 Plymouth CTC Ride Reportage.

Words & Pics: Trevor Bradshaw

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We

arrived at the Station car park to find a throng of people. I thought this is a good turn out. But as it transpired, Steve & Penny had bought a lot of their friends to do the ride I took them on a couple of weeks before, as they had enjoyed it so much. Saying they didn’t want to swell our numbers beyond the 6 allowed, they went in their own group. However, their friends were keen to come out with us when the restrictions were lifted, which would be nice.

Once we were all back together, it was coffee at Steve the Brumies cafe, which was open. By now it had clouded over and with a gale blowing off the sea, we took shelter behind the cafe to drink our coffee and have a chat with Steve. We asked how long he had been open, he said only just as the beaches had started to fill up. He wanted to open sooner as a take away but was getting grief from the locals, saying he was bringing Covid 19 to the area and were getting real nasty to him ( Oh!! the joys of lockdown ).

So it was left to Myself, Larry, Ted & Andy P. (which was nice to see Andy again after 3 months) to begin this week’s ride. It was out of the car park to join the main road & then first right to join the lanes towards Filham & skirting Penquit to join the main A3121. Turning left here and then first right up to join the Ridge road. We turned right into the sunshine heading for the Modbury road, enjoying the extensive views to the left over towards Modbury & the South Hams. It was straight across the main road to join the Kingston road, before taking the first left and following the lane down to Cottlass Farm, joining our first bit of off road prior to joining the lanes again, heading for Hunts Cross.

Turning right for Shearlangstone, Wastor Cross, Langston Cross & on to Kingston.

We took a left for Marwell Cross before heading down to Ringmore. We managed to lose Ted at this point, which we didn’t discover till we reached Challaborough, Larry volunteered to go back to find him.

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We set off for the long climb up to Bigbury village, with the wind blowing us up the hill. Passing the church & Bigbury Court, we joined the lanes down to Easton, Hingston Borough and on to Averton Gifford. In the village we turned up for Court Barton church and headed for Chillaton Cross to turn left on the California Cross road. It was then first right down to Leighmoor cross and hung a left before a right to Yarnacomb. Now it was time for our second bit of Bridleway and a bit rougher than the first to head for Shilston Barton, an old manor house & home to the, “Devon Rural Archives�.

Where you can gain access to all of Devons old history & old vintages maps and pictures of a bygone age.

We had our second stop here below the house overlooking the lakes to have our lunch, and also get a shower of rain before the sun came out again.

Also time for a Ted photo shoot.

Fully refreshed outside and in, we set off on our return to Ivybridge, passing through Ermington to arrive back at the Rugby club where we said our goodbyes for another week. Back home I had 31 miles on the clock after another good day out.

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Horsebridge, Chipshop & Beyond!

Date: 21st June 2020 Plymouth CTC Ride Reportage.

Words & Pics: Larry Clarke

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On arrival at the bridge Les & I met up with Trevor & Dave. After a short bit of banter with Dave, he said he hoped to be back in the saddle very soon, & joining us on Sunday rides. The weather was supposed to be dry with sunny spells. But looking in the direction we were going in, dark clouds were looming. Anyway, we bade farewell to Dave & crossed over the bridge. As we went up fore street, we noticed the arrowed walking one-way system laid out on the pavements. Very good for social distancing I thought. Now |

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with dry feet, & then did a bit of rough stuff alongside the river Lyner to New bridge. Crossed over the main Liskeard to Callington road & had to stop in Frogwell to put our rain jackets on. Shortly after stopping under some tall trees whilst the rain hammered down. After this, we seemed to be climbing all the way to Bray Shop. Time to take the jackets off and head for the long descent to Horsebridge, on arrival Trevor suggested a stop for nibbles. So outside the closed pub was chosen for its bench seating. Soon on our way & climbing to Chipshop, were the farm shop lady served us refreshments.

Here I told Trevor you’re going to like the next part of the ride as it is off-road.

on the way to Hatt and a notable increase in car traffic, yes, things are fast returning to normal. Won’t be long before the pollution returns to pre lockdown levels.

On leaving Hatt we were now in quiet country lanes heading for Pillaton with its Weary friar pub, soon to be back in business we hoped. After Pillaton we descended the narrow lane to Clapper bridge, & crossed the River Lynher.

Shortly thereafter bade farewell to Les, who was going on to the coast & home.

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So now with the sun out, we descended to the Tamar Trails, & this being a first for Trevor. He soon started enjoying himself once the going got rough, & I commented I don`t think Dave would have enjoyed it much. With his carbon fiber bikes. Soon passing the arsenic mines, we found ourselves on the old mineral railway that once linked Devon Great Consols Mine with the river port of Morwellham.

Shortly we came out of the coniferous woodland & left the Tamar Trails for the main road to Gunnislake. Soon after a short climb after crossing the Tamar river we turned left & looped our way up to Albaston, then across to Harrowbarrow.

Then the usual route to Amy Tree, Hatt & then Saltash services. Trevor left me saying see you next Sunday, & I carried on home in Saltash with 45miles on the cyclometer. |

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I Spy as I Ride.

Scenes from South Devon CTC’s I-Spy-Solation participants.

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Ten

weeks have passed since South Devon CTC’s lockdown quest: I-Spy_Solation was created. That is a total of 150 clues issued to our members to pedal out into their local area to find.

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With so many photographic submissions it is hard to fit them all into one magazine. The following pages cover some of the highlights from this competition and celebrates the places you have been and the ingenuity in response to clues from our members! b e k i n d | page 15

Place names linked to other towns, Flat roads, Com’s Masts & Beehives Scenes from South Devon CTC’s I-Spy-Solation participants.

(Left. James O’Neil. Creator of I-SpySolation name).

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Sign Posts & Grass up the Middle.

Scenes from South Devon CTC’s I-Spy-Solation participants.

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Gnomes!

Gnomes!

Gnomes!

Gnomes!

Gnomes!

Gnomes!

Gnomes!

Where are the Gnomes?!

Week 7 Selfie Challenge

The Editor, not to be confused with an actual gnome.

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The Grierson-Jackson’s actually found real Gnomes!

Oi Presland! Leave that gnome alone!

Proof that Gnomes have small tackle too!

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Gnomes in Keswick. Ann & Megan Smith |

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Miles Barrington: Oxford’s folly good chap.

Folly Good Times!

Week 8 Selfie Challenge

In search of the perfect “Selfolly”

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Geoff Sharpe: No folly wally here!

Chris C-J: Menacing a Folly

Anne Sewart: Jolly Folly

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Plaque Attack!

Kevin Presland: ?

Historic plaques of South Devon.

Although, it’s a bit on the heavy side.

Week 9 Selfie Challenge

Hercules Poitrot having a sartorial day off.

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Graham Brodie: What could possibly go wrong?!

Kate Brodie - Up to the heavy side layer!

Geoff Sharpe should have a plaque for his excellent selfies.

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Dawn Presland - Cool, not heavy. s a f e

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ProTAGonists

Week 10 Selfie Challenge

Graffiti, it’s the word on the street.

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In part, the painting of Homelands was a success

The graffiti artist only know as “WD40� at work.

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TED’s Topics No. 44

Topic: The Cycle Solution.

Society Musings.

Words: Ed Gameson.

I suppose ‘I’m preaching to the converted’, but the dreaded virus is a good point at which to review what we normally do in our daily lives, and particularly in relation to transport.

Many people in our modern society suffer from respiratory conditions, dietary problems, cancers, asthma, allergies, constipation, stress, type 2 diabetes, overweight, tinnitus – the list just goes on and on. What truly amazes me how few people question this state, to draw from it an obvious conclusion - that it is most likely linked, somehow, to a modern lifestyle.

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the truth that burning fossil fuels is not only an element in global warming, but the PM10s PM5s PM1s, SOx, and NOx are producing bad air quality beside our main roads which is a major cause of respiratory problems particularly for the young, and indirectly the cause of many thousands of lives lost per year Not only is motorised road transport a major component in all these problems, but we go on to kill some 2000 people every year on the roads, year on year on year and that’s without the ‘life-changing’ injuries statistics. Not one of these deaths should be acceptable to any of us.

With this list of catastrophic results of our love affair with the car, any sane person must ask WHY ?

The harsh truth is that these messages have been abundantly clear for some years now, but only now are the effects becoming too large for societies to ignore |

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for much longer. These are inconvenient messages that society doesn’t want to hear, and until now has chosen not to.

“...let’s change attitudes to create a cycling ethos and infrastructure that supports healthy safe transport by human powered means.”

Before I go on, I admire anyone who has given up such private transport – I’m not quite there. I use a car only very occasionally now, very rarely in towns (where I do not think cars have much of a place, not even electric ones), so only for longer journeys. And I keep my speed down (60mph on motorways) to use less fuel and produce less pollution. This idea also escapes most drivers.

No, the purpose of this article is to show that we already have a solution to many transport and health problems, and it’s the ‘humble’ bicycle. The vast majority of journeys are still below 10 miles. For 3 decades or more, I commuted to work by bicycle – typically 20 miles each day.

So, no-one can successfully argue that it is not a practical method of daily transport for most people. Yes, the provision of a place to keep the bike at work, showering & changing facilities are all considerations, but truly enlightened employers embrace this with aplomb because of the – yes – quantifiable health benefits to their workforce. It can be proven to be good business sense. True, I got wet occasionally – 6 to ten times a year – but not nearly as often as noncyclists expect. It’s even been shown that rain is good for you in reducing sensitivity to allergies, and strengthening the immune system, amongst other things.

My employer even conceded, when challenged, that, when I didn’t need to use a car in the course of my work, which was rarely, I didn’t need to bring one in every day, despite company funding.

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know it when I started, the humble bicycle has given me a huge return of health, happiness, stress-relief, appetite, fitness, strength, energy, and well-being. It’s also given me a huge return in friendship, memories, challenges, sights and sounds I could never have achieved in any other way. And, almost by the way, it’s given me a huge return financially in travel costs saved.

So, to those grappling with grid-locked traffic and pollution problems, not to mention NHS cost and time, let’s change attitudes to create a cycling ethos and infrastructure that supports healthy safe transport by human powered means. And if that means embracing electric bicycles as part of the process of changing attitudes, introducing new people to cycling, to break the car and NHS -dependent culture, let’s do it with enthusiasm. The car must now be driving up a cul-de-sac and society must recognise it. Coronavirus is a good time to start the re-think.

- Ted. |

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From The Archive

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We delve into the history of the club.

Words: Michael Jones

Above: Torbay and Exeter Sections in Haldon Forest.

Date: Sunday 31 May 1981 Day ride: Devon DA 50th Anniversary Ride 18 present: Barry Biggins (Adult, Devon), Colin Brierly, Jean Brierly, Iris Buckler, Maurice Croney, Colin Downie, Noel Downie, Valerie Farrell, Martin Filham, Mark Fraser, Don Hassall, Antony House, Michael Jones, Mark Morton, Sue Shepley, Matthew Tewson, Nigel Wilson, Philip Wrigle And so to the Anniversary Ride – the climax of the month’s events. Fourteen riders gathered at Chudleigh Bridge in beautiful weather, including the famous “Mr Biggins”, known by many of the Dartmoor M a y / J u n e

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contingent for his artistic leanings rather than his enthusiasm for cycling. I hate to think what it must be like trying to teach our lot at school!

Our progress during the morning was hampered somewhat by the inevitable punctures which arise when such a large group are riding together, and the equally inevitable delays caused when the more mature members are within the ranks.

Eventually however we arrived at Haldon and were surprised to find that hordes of Exeter cyclists had also gathered there. I personally couldn’t see whatever it was they had all flocked there to see – perhaps they had come to investigate the influence of tourism on the wild ant |

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population of Haldon Forest!

Words cannot express the sudden feeling of greatness which descends on one when riding with about fifty other cyclists, knowing that they are all part of the same fantastic club. Colin led us on a devious route through the lanes in the general direction of Kenton and we arrived just in time to catch the caterers unawares. There was consequently plenty of time to relax on the lawn in the sun, and numerous silly games were played both before and after the magnificent tea.

overcome during the coming months, but it will not be done by contenting ourselves with mixing with our own members; everyone needs to make an effort to chat with the members they don’t yet know.

Only then will the security of your Section be backed up by the strength of the DA.

Whilst the whole day went very well I still got the impression that there was a barrier of shyness splitting the club into its respective Sections. This, I hope, will be

Below: High Tea at Kenton Village Hall.

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Above: Les Sparkes, president of the Devon DA, cuts the anniversary cake at Kenton Village Hall.

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Tourist Competition.

2020 South Devon CTC Touring Comp.

Words: Geoff Sharpe - SDCTC events co-ordinator.

Positions after round 6, Mad March Exeter-Excursion event of 15th March

Ladies.

Overall.

1 2 3 4 5 7 10 11

Graham Brodie Kate Brodie David Twigger Caroline Twigger James O’Neill Richard Coverdale Danny Curtis Robert Legg Steve Maddock Geoff Sharpe Sarah Britton Kevin Presland David Prudden

46 points 41 40 35 30 30 28 28 28 25 20 20 20

Teams.

1 TOTALLY TORBAY 111 Points 2 THE YOUNG FOGEYS 80 3 TORBAY TIPPLERS 76 4 TORBAY VETS 73 5 USSR 56 M a r / A p r

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Kate Brodie Caroline Twigger

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Sarah Britton

41 points 35 20

Veterans.

1

3

Robert Legg Steve Maddock Geoff Sharpe

28 points 28 25

4

David Prudden

20

Future Events.

These will be announced once post COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have been lifted to allow club and Audax UK events.

Members are advised to check the website and also the South Devon CTC Facebook page for any changes in the forthcoming events. | b e k i n d | page 32

Note from The Secretary Up Coming Events

It’s been a busy few weeks with iSpysolation, and the slow release of lockdown allowing us to ride further and with a few friends.

Hopefully we are now beginning to start up more club riding, based on small groups, and visiting café’s which have been pre-booked.

We will email and send out a full newsletter when we have confirmed the commencement of formal rides again, and that we have ride leaders in place to enable this to happen.

Regarding events, it’s still hard to know how things will go in the Autumn. AUK will only start validating perms. and DIY rides from 1st August. A few of us hope to ride the Shore to Moor on that date and

have it validated as a DIY 200. I’m looking at making this and the Devon Delight into Permanent rides which means you can ride them at any time.

We will still need the all-clear from Cycling UK to organise other rides to cover the insurance for organisers.

I will be refunding entry fees for the Delight and Torplex, with the option of donating the entry fee to our local foodbank fund - HITS foodbank.

Keep an eye on our social media and website pages for updates Graham Brodie.

For Sale:

Nitto Bullmoose Handlebars. £35.00 One-piece design Cro-mo TIG welded Sweep - 26degs Stem rise: 9 degree Width: 700mm Contract: Shaun East E: shauneast@yahoo.com M a r / A p r

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You see the Funniest things sometimes!

Spotted by Geoff Sharpe in Dainton, near Ipplepen.

With the current state of world and American affairs, make of this what you will. However, as not to mar the reputation of cycling, I like to think this is the last person to try and keep up with James O’Neil! - (ed)

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Love is all we need.

I have saved this till last as I think this is a great shot to end this edition of the magazine. This was the winning selfie for week 10 of the I-Spy-Solation competition.

Taken by Kate Brodie, this positive message created during lockdown by a unknown person is a welcome tonic to all things going on in the world. Now where’s the gin and lemon slice......

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