SouthWest (UK) Fish & Chip ride - Thurs 23rd June

[T800XC]

Thinking we might cross the border into Cornwall and try The Coddy Shack near Looe for this one. If the weather changes then the route / destination might have to. We're planning to meet at the usual - Ten Tors Inn, Kingsteignton, TQ12 3NP - between 5:30 & 5:45pm.

We'll try not to spend too long on the boring A38 and may decide to use the Torpoint Ferry. The route back is likely to go further inland via Liskeard, Callington, Tavistock and over Dartmoor.

[Stevie.P]

  .... can't make this one ...

because the Tiger and I are up in the Lake District and surroundings for the next 10 days.

[GeoffS]

Hi Steve….., Hardknott……, West-to-East…. ?
SW Crew, have a cod ‘n’ chips for me….., and a mug o’ tea.

[T800XC]

As they are only a few of us able to make this one, we're meeting at Sainsbury's petrol station in Torquay for 5:30, instead of the Ten Tors.

The rest of the route should be much the same, subject to the predicted short, sharp showers keeping away.

[Stevie.P]

Hope your food met the required standard and you all enjoyed the ride.

... in reply to Geoff ... yes yesterday, Hardknott Pass, Wynrose Pass, Honister Pass, Newlands Pass and Whinlatter Pass as far as the visitors centre where the road was closed so I had to turn around and headed home.

Beautiful day, bit warm at 25c moving, 29.5c when I stopped for a quick snack break. This was the view from part way up Whinlatter.



I will say though that at just over 100 miles I was done in and aching like hell. It shows how much difference there is between riding something like the Lakes verses the 555 miles I did on the autobahn and French toll roads last month and not an ache. On the upwards side of Hardknott from the west the road surface really is in a terribly rippled state and on the upward side of Wynroseout of the valley were a few potholes big and deep enough to take a XC 21" front wheel if you weren't paying attention.

It has been about 20 months since I was last up here riding and to be honest, regarding the Lakes, another 20+ months will be no hardship.

On the other hand Wednesday I went east and rode to Penrith, up Hartside to Alston, the A869 to Frosterley, then down to Middleton-In-Teesdale (to find my favourite cafe closed on Wednesdays ) and back via the B6277 to Alston and back down Hartside. I certainly found that more enjoyable and relaxing than the Lakes (163 miles).