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Tour of Dartmoor 07
Tue, 2 October 2007
Two members of the Mid-Devon Cycling Club/Colin Lewis Cycles returned from the 106 mile Tour of Dartmoor Sportif with gold medals firmly clutched in their hands. They were 2 from a total of 6 who achieved the demanding standard.
Once again the weather was not kind for a Dartmoor Sportif. The riders were sent off from near Ashburton and within a few miles they were in the thick mist that shrouded most of the moor and stayed with them till they descended the western side.
On the first real climb, Holne Chase, Peter Milligan had a puncture and spent some miles chasing and eventually catching other club members. Holne Chase was followed by the punishing ascent from Spitchwick to Buckland in the Moor.After the fast descent from Haytor came the climb back to Manaton. On leaving Widdecombe the route took the riders out to Postbridge and back to Dartmeet via Bellever.On a cattle grid near Bellever one rider came down heavily on a slippery cattle grid. Another managed to run into a sheep that had strayed into the road. Eventually the riders dropped off the moor from Princetown to clear visibility near Burrator Reservoir.
The final miles took them to Noss Mayo in the South Hams before retruning to Ashburton. Amongst the first back was Adam Beams who, taking his age allowance into account, took one of the gold medals. His time was 6 hours 46 mins 34 secs. He had ridden most of the way with his Mid-Devon Cycling Club/Colin Lewis Cycles team mate Alan Drury. Unfortunately for Drury he had no age allowance and missed the gold standard by less than 6 minutes. South Brent solicitor Julian Summerhayes was the next Mid-Devon Cycling Club/Colin Lewis Cycles member home having taken 7 hours 26 mins 22 secs.
Two other riders who stayed together through "thick and thin" were Chris Connell and Mike Skinner. They got in after 7 hours 43 minutes of effort and for 60 plus year old Skinner it was worthwhile as he too was awarded the gold standard. The final 4 Mid-Devon Cycling Club/Colin Lewis Cycles riders came in more or less together. They included Milligan who was no doubt glad of the company after his earlier misfortune. The others were Julian Seal, Malcolm Silkstone and Keith Eite.