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Seaton to Haytor on Dartmoor and back, you must be joking! |
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Friday, 12 June 2009 08:44 |
 Well that is exactly what 14 members of Axe Valley Pedallers have just done on this years Madal's 100. Very early on Sunday morning when most of us still intend to stay tucked under the duvet for at least another 3 hours, a rather chilly gathering of cyclists met outside the Seaton Tourist Information office for their annual June ride. Each year they set off to complete a minimum of 100 miles and hopefully help some club members to complete this holy grail of cycling.
100 miles sounds hard enough, but add to that all the hills between the Axe Valley and Haytor and you can imagine just how tough it was going to be. The route took in Musbury, Whitford, Shute, Stockland Strip, Honiton and Exeter. Then the serious climbing began on the way to Moretonhampstead, across to Hound Tor and then round to Haytor itself. At last came some reward with some great freewheeling down to Bovey Tracey, but then in Chudleigh it was pay-back time as a long climb up Haldon Hill sapped the strength of the intrepid group.
An undulating route into Exeter lead to the canal cycle path, then along the flat to Topsham. Woodbury Common was soon reached and thoughts of what lay ahead loomed……Peak Hill and then Salcombe Hill! By now the legs where starting to feel like jelly for many of the group and the hill in front seemed like one hill too many!
At times like this, the spirit of the Axe Valley Pedallers really comes out and for those struggling the stronger riders gathered round and encouraged them. Eventually the whole group made the finish, medals were presented and champagne toasts were plentiful.
Congratulations go to Kimmo ‘Goose’ Evans, Joanna ‘Bar Bunny’ Becket and Mark ‘Whitespot’ Whatmore who completed their first ‘100 mile’ ride. I’m sure they will be back for more.
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 June 2009 08:46 |
