The Highwayman Magazine September / October 2020

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1O NATIONAL PARKS RIDE

CLASSIC CORNER

Kevin Presland and Richard Etches go on a

Graham Brodie talks you through his Rotrax

summer tour from their doorstep,

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“Life is like an Audax. You just have to keep chipping away at it.”

- anon’.

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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

I wish you all the greatest health and the very best for such a difficult time. On the rides I have joined you on I have very much appreciated the company, enjoyment and laughter associated with an active club.

LAST COPY DATE: Nov | Number 04 | 21st Nov PUBLICATION DATE:

Nov | Number 04 | 30th Nov COVER PICTURE:

Happy peddling.

“Autumn Lanes” Sunday ride to Fernworthy Reservoir.

- By Graham Brodie

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Well, here we all are in autumn and while the ongoing pandemic is still much a central point of the news and our daily lives, it is good to see that we are all getting out on our bikes and enjoying the spectacular change of the seasons. Further more, it is good to hear that we are organising our rides with respect to the current government guidance. It seems that our various “Whatsapp” ride groups have been self organising in this aspect, with our ride leaders diligently dealing with the logistics or groups of 6+ and have been carefully arranging amongst themselves separate B rides. Not only is this a sign of the respect we have for one another, but also our responsibility, as a cycling club, to the greater public. Local social media has highlighted and called out other local groups not being so cautious when it comes to public and personal safety. Not the sort of publicity any cycling organisations needs, when times like these call for the bicycle as an important means of transport and a means to greater health. Let us not diminish this fact, but act as ambassadors for this great pastime and lifestyle.

Shaun East

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Give each other a big, socially distanced, pat on the shoulder! We’ve one an award! CyclingUK has award us for our commitment to cycling throughout the trials and tribulations of lockdown for our I-spy-solation challenge. We thank you all for your participation, creativity and warmth during these somewhat ever increasingly dark times. May we continue to strive, or shall we say, pedal onwards.

Chapeau!

News & Letters

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South Devon CTC Updates & News from the cycling world.

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News & Letters

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South Devon CTC Updates & News from the cycling world.

The

South Brent Bike Bank was established by Sustainable South Brent in 2015 as a community resource offering a free lease of a bike for up to 7 days and promoting sustainable transport in and around South Brent. The bikes are ideal for new riders as they are easy to use and well suited to Devon, being light and with plenty of gears for those hills. Each lease S e p t / O c t

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includes a helmet, gloves and lights to get you on the road as well as a support pack full of advice, tips for new cyclists, and links to cycling organisations in the area and maps.

The Bike Bank is currently open to adults over 18 years and those aged 16-18 years with parental consent.

For more information e-mail: bike@ sustainablesouthbrent.org.uk |

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World record set

by Portsmouth grandmother cycling Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back

Cycling UK member and 54-yearold grandmother Marcia Roberts has battled through Storm Francis, saddle sores and fatigue to become the first woman to complete Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back (LEJOGLE).

After 11 days, 13 hours and 13 minutes, Marcia has become the first woman to record an official time for the LEJOGLE. Marcia was cheered on along the route by supporters, friends and family. On the first leg of the journey, she was joined by a rider from Cornwall and then accompanied by a motorbike rider called Steve who had become aware of her record attempt online and came along to ensure cars kept a safe distance.

News & Letters

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South Devon CTC Updates & News from the cycling world.

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Obituaries

News & Letters

Words: Graham Brodie.

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South Devon CTC Updates & News from the cycling world.

Treasurer Vaccancy.

Clive Long has said that he wants to stand down as Treasurer after this year. He’s done a great job for us since he started, so will be needing somebody with an understanding of monetary things to take on the role at the end of the year. Please get in touch if this is something you think you could help with.

I’ve received some sad news. Jack Raymond has passed away, he was one of the founding members of Torbay CTC. Although Jack wasn’t riding when I joined in the 70’s, I used to work with him at the local ITT factory and also went to school with his children in Paignton. Jack and his wife Barbara attended several of our more recent anniversaries.

Condolences to the Raymond family.

-Graham Brodie: brodie@bikerider.com S e p t / O c t

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Liskeard Colliford Lake Golithia Falls Date: 28th September 2020 Plymouth CTC Ride Reportage.

Words & Pics: Larry Clarke

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As

I arrived at Certini`s car park on a gloriously sunny day I noticed quite a gathering, which was most unexpected.

Soon after my arrival Dave turned up, now there were six of us. Trevor, Graham, Yolande, Dave & John. John now out on his second consecutive ride with the group, having cycled down from Callington. He was going to clock up some serious mileage today. No sign of anybody else turning up, so off we went towards Hatt, along Trevor’s favourite motorway. Through Hatt with the long downhill run before climbing to the left turning. Now on very narrow lanes up & down all the way to Blunts. Yolande was out for the second time after a long break from serious cycling. So she had to watch herself today as there were some severe hills and mileage to be covered.

After Blunts the usual route to Liskeard via Doddycross was taken, with John showing us all a shorter safer route into town. Well done John. Here we took refreshments in Wetherspoons, with stricter distancing measures in place.

Now refreshed we headed towards the local British Columbia area with its tall conifers, stream & steep-sided valley as John so famously calls it. I must admit it is a lovely area in contrast to the farmer’s fields on the way to Liskeard. Shortly after we started the seriously long climb towards Colliford Lake, I was pleasantly surprised how dry the lanes were. Trevor was enjoying the start of the climb as S e p t / O c t

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there was plenty of grass up the middle of the lanes. So after what seemed a long time of uphill climbing we arrived alongside Colliford Lake.

Trevor remarked how low the water level was, not that there hadn’t been much rain of late. Now going along nicely on a fairly level road, with views of the lake and moorland sprinkled with herds of cattle here and there. I spotted a never seen before, group of standing stones, which Yolande may have taken a picture of? This is not an area to be out in when the weather changes (Bodmin Moor). Soon after Dozmary Pool to our right, we turned right looking forward to a short steep descent to the road alongside the River Fowey. A nice few miles of steady downhill saw us arrive at the Golitha Falls, cafe.

Now fully refreshed & on our way we were soon to take in Dave’s pleasant alternative route to Pensilva. On arrival Yolande, Graham & John took refreshments in the Village shop.

So Trevor, Dave & myself carried on through the usual places to Saltash.

Here we bade farewell to Trevor, & carried on home, with 50 miles on the clock.

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Wray ValleyChagfordBovey Tracey Date: 27th September 2020 Plymouth CTC Ride Reportage.

Words & Pics: Trevor Bradshaw

The

start today was Bovey Tracey cricket club car park, we had a total of 8 riders. Dave Newman had sent a text to say he was having trouble with his new car and hoped to join us later. We were over the limit for gatherings so had we split into an A & B Groups. The riders were; myself & wife Sue, Graham B, John O`Rourke, Dave Oatway, Les Prior, Larry and Yolande.

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With no sign of Dave N. we set off riding through the park to join the old railway line & cycle path, had a call on my phone Dave had arrived, so leaving the others to wait I set off back to pick up Dave.

We carried on, heading for Lustleigh to come to the end of the cycle path to join a short section of road to the top end of Lustleigh. Here we joined the new cycle path to take us up towards Moretonhampstead, at the start of this we met 3 cyclist counting us through, glad |

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pub instead. This had a nice area out the back so we picked our separate tables to have our coffee, well Les had a beer, and enjoyed the sunshine.

Up untill now, I had led my group into a false sense of security giving them nice flat terrain, now was wake up time. We rejoined the lanes for the long climb up to the reservoirs, mind you they were rather nice lanes and when we reached the high levels we were rewarded with some great views of the surrounding countryside.

The first Reservoir we reached was the “Kennick” & two more followed, The “Tottiford” & the “Trenchford” we stopped for another break at the Trenchford for members of the group to enjoy their cakes they had purchased at a roadside stall on the way up.

we were in 2 separate groups! Otherwise it seem like we might get robbed in to BoJo! Arriving at Moretonhampstead we skirted this to join the cycle route up to Chagford along some nice country lanes.

Coming into Chagford we were reminded that this was a market town and had to wait while a herd of cattle was being driven down the main street.

Looking around for a suitable cafe, they all looked to small to accommodate our groups, so we retired to The Three Crowns S e p t / O c t

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It was now on the homeward leg back down to Bovey Tracey, the last bit was a steep downhill section, where Dave N. thought his rims were going to catch fire with all the braking. In Bovey we called in to the Cafe 360, where a few of the riders had never been before, to be rewarded with all the cycling memorabilia from way back.

It had been a nice warm & sunny day & although we only covered 28 miles, with an extra mile thrown in for me having to ride back to pick up Dave, it seemed longer due to the second section. But I think everyone enjoyed it, and good company. |

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Ten National Parks Ride.

Summer Tour Reportage Words & Pics: Kevin Presland

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Along

Initially it arose in the ‘Winged Wheel’, the lockdown virtual pub visited on a weekly basis by Torbay CTC, the concept being to visit all the National Parks of the UK. Upon consulting the map the distance was clearly too great, so the 3 newest National Parks were dropped, and with a little help from my daughter realised that a train to York would enable a marvellously rural route through the original 10 finishing back at our home National Park.

with the majority of the populace my big plans for 2020 were dashed by the pandemic. As the Spring lockdown gave way to greater freedom of the summer rules, so the hope grew that there could possibly be a tour on the cards. With the conflagration of various ideas, the plan for a whole new cycling adventure was borne.

A couple of evenings of summary route planning to check the distance and climbing revealed the need for a whole fortnight to complete the newly named 10 National Parks Ride, or 10NPR for short. At that time daily news bulletins were full of the story of fully booked hotels, it was clear that the only way to make the trip works was to rediscover wild camping by bike.

With the kernel of an idea I put the word around and was delighted that Richard Etches fancied the challenge.

Meanwhile the virus was finding its foothold again in northern towns, so we committed to no more than train tickets whilst I concentrated on purchasing the necessary kit. On the eve of departure we committed to goahead with our tour, then I realised that the route planning remained in kernel form, so some quick tidying up was all the planned track received before consignment to the Garmin – what could possibly go wrong!

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10NPR DAY ONE

ROUTE: YORK STATION TO BLAKEY RIDGE NATIONAL PARK: NORTH YORKSHIRE DISTANCE: 55.6km ASSENT: 784m

Train

ride started oh so quiet, but eventually more people on board that seating capacity would permit so all went to pot.

Half an hour late in York, but warm sunshine and light headwind as we headed north.

Agricultural country abounded and traffic reduced as York faded behind us.

Sheriff Hutton dramatic on its gentle hill with its soaring remnants. Following hills not gentle, and tested gearing on a 17% incline in the Howardian Hills.

Wind picked up as we traversed north, alas it was from the north stemming our progress, and doubly so as it carried a North Sea chill.

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Celebratory cuppa on reaching Kirkbymoorside and our first National Park.

A long drag into the hills against the wall of wind, but we have come good with a small wild camping ground behind the Lion Inn. Great food and beer too! |

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10NPR DAY TWO

ROUTE: BLAKEY RIDGE TO HUNSTANTONWORTH MOOR NATIONAL PARK: NORTH YORKSHIRE DISTANCE: 135km ASSENT: 1752m

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Overnight we experienced the roar of the Red Lion - the wind buffeted and tore at our tents, but the pegs prevailed.

Wild cycle camping suits an early start, so we were on our way at 7am. Cloud base was low, so by the time we reached the 450m summit of Blakeley Ridge we were in it.

A few sharp undulations was a test of our loaded bike climbing capability, steepest being at 20%. Breakfast stop at Stokesly, then miles of gentle tailwind assisted descending meeting hoards of cyclists battling the other way.

Round the south of Darlington, then gently rising A roads until feast for sore eyes, we reached Castle Barnard.

Lunch and a few moments of tourism, then into The North Pennies AONB, expansive open moorland and many big ascents.

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a good gradient and traffic free due to cattle grid replacement, happy to attain 500 metres.

Thereafter all climbs were arrowed, all 3 that is. Afternoon cuppa at Stanhope. Before our final club we stumbled upon an old stone arch, no sign of rail or watercourse though. It was actually a horizontal smelting flue. Hot gases would travel along the 1 - 1.5 mile flues terminating in stacks on the hillside.

Children would be sent down the flues to scrape the lead deposits into the running water in the base. Makes you wonder how there were ever the adults surviving to do the smelting.

We are now camped out on Hunstantonworth Moor in amongst the blooming purple heather and soft tufty grass. Great panorama, sheltered from easterly in full evening sun with grouse chattering in the distance. Very fine after a hard 85 mile day. | b e k i n d | page 21

10NPR DAY THREE

ROUTE: HUNSTANTONWORTH MOOR TO CARLISLE NATIONAL PARK: NORTHUMBRIA DISTANCE: 152.7km ASSENT: 1545m

The

overnight chatter of the grouse to a slumbering soul sounded like they were on CB radio. When morning came the mist was down, so no views and wet feet.

The detour around Derwent Reservoir was barely worth it, but did mean that we got ou 20 miles in nicely before the 9am opening of breakfast haunts in Howick.

Our routing out was confused firstly by roadworks / bridge building on the A69, then by a missed turn that had us descending a steep and narrow stepped descent followed by a grip free climb to Acomb.

Good fast rods up through Kielder for lunch and over the top of the pass S e p t / O c t

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to cross the border into Scotland. A short foray just north of the border, followed by a welcome afternoon tea (and cooling strawberry slush) in Newcastleton. Lumpy lanes with glorious views took us to the edge of Carlisle, we had felt that we were riding the gauntlet of thunder storms, but nothing prevailed, and sun returned by the time that we entered the city limits.

The central Crown and Sceptre accommodated us, and bizarrely our bikes were stowed in the ladies wc’s. Town quiet, pubs closed, and the one we found had no ale! At least the Italian in the main square was good.

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10NPR DAY FOUR

ROUTE: CARLISLE TO BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE NATIONAL PARK: LAKE DISTRICT DISTANCE: 106.8km ASSENT: 1552m

Out before the rush hour our route was mostly lanes heading toward the soaring skyline of Skidaw, though one lane had long since been abandoned by Cheshire’s maintenance regime.

First view of a lake signalled coffee. So down past Bassenthwaite Lake, though we never got to see it close up, and down to Keswick.

Highlights were the stop at the Castlerigg Stone circle and the lane + lunch alongside Thirlmere Lake.

Noises of the night, Saturday wind, Sunday grouse, Monday . . . Fire alarm, not once but twice, and yes heavy rain as well.

We left in sunshine at 8am taking in the main tourist sights, those being cathedral and castle.

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My route had purposefully avoided the big climbs, so the 25% monster put of Hawkshead was a disappointment.

Ferry crossing of Windermere and a relaxing evening in Bowness before climbing to a tucked away camp spot just out of town. So hot and humid, but truly spoilt today. |

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10NPR DAY FIVE

ROUTE: BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE TO GRASSINGTON NATIONAL PARK: YORKSHIRE DALES DISTANCE: 116.5km ASSENT: 1777m

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Camp was packed away before sunrise, so we used our additionally earned time to scale Brant Fell to enjoy our final Lakeland view.

We rode out of the Lakes via a lumpy B road, and made Kendall before 8. A long stop for breakfast and cycle maintenance, then up past the hilltop Oxenholme Sation and into The Yorkshire Dales.

Our route took us up Barbondale, a lovely gradient beside the river with tempting playpools breaking the tranquility.

Down steeply into Dentdale.

Busier this one, but as we climbed beneath the soaring arches of the Settle Carlisle railway so the numbers reduced. We stopped to cool the feet and generally get wet. Needless to say this coincided with gathering of thunder clouds. Shortly after

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cresting we were hit by big spots of rain, and thus the chase ensued, all the way to Hawes - we won, but not without a few threatening spatters.

Rain passed by, we ate lunch and departed in oppressive heat.

Sleddale was a merciless climb, getting ever steeper with no shade to be found.

On the descent the thunder clouds formed once more, so we dared not stop to soak in the pools in Upper Wharfedale. Cold fayre in Kettlewell + a paddle.

Tonight we are on a campsite near Grassington. We took a trip to Linton Falls for a swim, town for lunch and back to tents for a beer, but instead just fed the midges. I’m therefore now sitting sweltering in the tent listening to the calling owls.

A tough 75 miles, but most rewarding day yet.

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One Hundred in Eight

Topic: Informal 100miles in 8 hours ride.

Words: Dave Prudden.

Pics: Graham Brodie

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A clear, chill

8am start to our ride but it boded well for the coming day, when the sun would get to work. A group of five met at Kingskerswell Arch to begin - Graham B, Kevin P, Dave T, Shaun E & Dave P. This was suggested as an ‘unofficial’ ride in this unusual year of Covid.

The route this year wound up the Wray valley to Moretonhampstead & before long outer layers were being peeled away, as the gradients came our way. Shaun was having mechanical troubles, so were able to get our breath at the top of a couple of hills to wait. On to Whiddon Down & our first refreshment stop at Okehampton Services where take away coffee/food was welcome. A cyclist passing at the roadside was our Launceston friend, Jason H, doing a trip over Dartmoor & we enjoyed a 10 minute chat.

Our route then went via Exbourne, Monkokehampton & Winkleigh on attractive lanes – the Burrow café at Exbourne was rapidly passed this time but was warmly remembered for my last S e p t / O c t

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visit – unusually it is built underground.

The main A377 valley road from Eggesford Station to our lunch stop outside Crediton is fast with thankfully not too much traffic. Lunch was taken on an interesting circular bespoke metal bench, where our route diverged just before Crediton.

Our route took in Thorverton, Stoke Canon & out of Exeter via Longdown. By this time folk realised that we might as well enjoy an ice cream, drink & nibbles, from a shop on our Exeter exit, as our finish in Kingskerswell was still a way off. Graham treated several of us to the ice creams as only a carton containing a pack of them was available. Our finish came via the Teign valley to the Lord Nelson pub & a most welcome drink in their rear garden.

When I reached the pub my travelling time was about 7 hours but our time, including stops, was quite a lot more than 8 hours – due to us enjoying our stops for a bit too long. Shaun & Dave T went further, after the pub finish to complete 200 km rides & Shaun had completed a 135 mile ride to get home. All told, a super day in great company In what felt like one of the last days of our sunny summer. |

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SDCTC “B” Group Rides Tuesday rides

were started around 2005 by Terry Venn and since then it has become the most popular morning to go out cycling with the South Devon CTC. Originally there was just one group going out, but as numbers grew and some of us got fitter and some did not. Through age and health issues Mike Taylor set up the ‘Out Patients’ section while the rest of us continued to cycle up all the hills to some far off cafes.

Now a third section has come into being for those who want to visit the ‘A’ group cafes but by an easier route and a slower pace. This is the ‘B’ group and has been going out from Kingskerswell Arch on a Tuesday morning since the middle S e p t / O c t 2 0 | r i d e s a f e

Ride Reportage: Geoff Sharpe, ‘B’ rides co ordinator.

Email. geoffsharpe35@gmail.com of August attracting between 4 and 6 members. Interestingly, it also has come about that we’re not going to the ‘A’ group cafes, but they are coming to ours!

The first ride was to the Teign Valley Golf Club on 18th August, when 5 turned up at the start for a ride over parts of Haldon and down into the Teign Valley.

A week later 6 of us got soaked on the ride to Hill House Nursery at Landscove and were joined this time by Graham and the ‘A’ group.

At the beginning of September we climbed the hill up to Ullacombe Farm and were joined again by the ‘A’ group who had come up along a different route. | b e k i n d | page 30

come up along a different route.

The Clipper at Shaldon was very crowded with visitors still down on holiday on the 8th September and only our 6 could get in for coffee, although it was very pleasant sitting out beside the river in the sun.

Stella offered to lead on the 15th to a Winery establishment near Kenton. A rather hilly route over Haldon but 5 of us arrived there just before Graham and 4 of the ‘A’ group. The ride back was fraught with problems getting over Haldon with the Council resurfacing the hill out of Ashcombe. They said our bikes were ruining their tarmac.

There must have been about 20 members up at the Moorland Hotel at Haytor Vale at the end of September and it’s not an easy cycle ride to get up there. I chose a route up the main road from Liverton to Ilsington then branched off to get to Birchhanger cross to continue the climb up to the Vale. Others, I understand, chose some tougher routes up from Ashburton and also the main road from Bovey Tracey, the route the Tour of Britain used a few years ago. It was worth all the effort though, sitting out on the Terrace in the sunshine and enjoying the glorious views over the countryside.

It is hoped to continue the ‘B’ rides through the winter but I’m sure there will be Tuesdays that the weather is not to our liking, but let’s try and make the effort if only for a short ride.

Any members who would like to join us and we can only have 6 on the ride due to Covid 19 restrictions please get in touch, I’m sure we can fit you in!

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Classic Corner

BIKE: 1951 ROTRAX Concourse model WORDS & PICS: Graham Brodie

Here’s

this months Classic Corner article featuring another bicycle in my modest bicycle collection.

This month on display is a 1951 restored ROTRAX Concourse model, featuring some very elegant chrome lug work, and sporting a deep green lustre finish.

The restoration was carried out by ARGOS cycles near Bristol, well renowned for their paint finishes.

ROTRAX were established in 1920 and based in Southampton. This 1951 model would have been produced during the peak of the company’s popularity after S e p t / O c t

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which there was a steady decline in the production of specialist lightweight bicycle throughout the industry.

ROTRAX also made motorcyle speedway frames.

Although the company was sold on in 1963, it’s name continues, there is still a website and plenty of information and interest in these popular and elegant lightweights. www.rotraxcycles.co.uk has lots about the company’s history.

This model features a very elegant | b e k i n d | page 32

(probably re-chromed) DURAX Super Course chain-set, coupled to a 4speed freewheel with Simplex derailleur.

Wheels are Blumfield Duralite hubs laced to Constrictor rims, and the fairly inefficient side pull brakes are a set of ALP Competition’s.

So I set about laminating some thin bits of ply in the downstairs kitchen and produced some thin wooden ones which although not original or period, I quite like and think they set the bike off quite well ( also cheap to make!)

It’s quite a relaxed and “springy” ride, and the only real issue with it is the poor braking, including the tendency for the front blocks to “grab” in certain spots on the rims, something I’m working on – so back to the workshop!

The bike came without mudguards, but shortly afterwards I spotted a nice set of Bluemels red mudguards in good order at Golden Age Cycles, so purchased these. Sadly they were despatched via Hermes, so no great surprise when they never arrived and on last checking were still shown at the Hermes hub in Derby somewhere. Anybody who has ever tried to retrieve a lost parcel from these comedians will understand the futility of the effort!

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Sunday Service.

Images from recent Sunday Club Rides.

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