All cleaned-up and take-away ordered!
What a Joyous day!
Met (for the first time ever) the lovely ColinJ at Crediton Station as planned, well except I then realised I'd left my phone behind, sprinted home (up the hill to get it) and by then was properly warmed-up 🤔
Ian (who also turned-out to be lovely) called to say he was running late and we'd meet at Pathfinder village.
After the initial hard grunt over Whitstone Hill we rendezvouzed with Ian and set-off for more climbing to Haldon forest and the fab descent to lunch at Cockwood.
What I quickly learned is what great riding company these two gents are, that my climbing is improving (it's work in progress) and what a demon descender the mild-mannered Ian is on Devon's precarious narrow lanes!
Lunch didn't disappoint, with diverse conversations befitting men of a certain age - Colin it turns-out is a teller of great tales!
The route up the estuary was blustery with attempted rain. The flatness a pleasant relief from the mornings climbing and a chance to digest our lunches. Plenty of folk on bikes, with dogs, with children, created mobile chicanes.
Ian peeled-off at Exeter whilst Colin and I took one last climb over Pynes Hill and one more beer before home.
46 miles, 3 pints, good riding and bonhomie aplenty.
Thank you Ian and Colin - it was a grand day out!
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