Clive, directeur sportif for all our club 100 mile events, had drawn up plans this year for a 100mi and 100km ride along this year’s ToB Stage 6 from Sidmouth to Haytor; the Grande and Medio routes. I agreed to lead out the Medio which would complete the ToB route from Sidmouth to Bickleigh and then drop down the west side of Exeter to rejoin the pro tour route at Ide, omitting the third categorised climb of Cadbury Hill and the additional 40 mile westerly loop out to Crediton and Mortonhampstead. As we would actually be starting in Seaton, the full Medio route would be 75mi / 120km.
As I pedalled over to the Seaton start, not being pros we had no tour bus to drop us off at the official Sidmouth depart, I passed Clive leading out his 8 man Grande peloton. In view of our different routes, we had agreed to stagger start times with the Medio leaving 30 minutes later. With hindsight I could have delayed our depart by at least an additional 60 minutes but with memories of the club’s previous 100s, I couldn't help thinking that having contingency was not a bad thing!
Three of the five pedallers who had signed up for the Medio, myself, Geoff (Colyton Post Office) and Glenn (Near Naked Man), lined up for the Seaton depart, we were to meet Barry (Coach Driver) at the Bowd, the start of the race proper, and Ian (The Gaffer) at Honiton after the Chineway Hill climb (sensible plan, Ian!). After a pedal along Sidmouth esplanade and a stop for publicity pictures on the sea front we three headed up to the Bowd to collect Barry and prepare for our first categorised climb, Chineway Hill. Geoff, Glenn and I stuck wheel to wheel as Barry made a successful break to the top of Chineway securing the first set of KOM points. One down 2 to go. Rolling into Honiton we’d agreed to meet Ian at Boston Tea Party hoping to make an impromptu stop for coffee and cake. We had, however, made such good time that Ian was still prepping his machine and had yet to make it across the coffee shop's threshold. Decision made, we’d forgo coffee and have a longer lunch stop at Bickleigh and may be even add Cadbury Hill to our route.
I had thought that from Honiton we’d have a smooth 30 miles to get the yellow train together and bring up our average speed. I had somehow forgotten, though, that small matter of the uncategorised Hembury Hill climb. We did enjoy at least 20 miles of steady pedalling following the climb, so much so that in full TT mode, I steered the peloton almost a mile off course! Luckily Glenn was watching the map on his Garmin closer that I, else we could have ended up in Collumpton and that would have been a totally different ride. Where are the marshals and route markings when you need them?!
Just before Tiverton, I received a text from Clive that the Grande peloton had reached the feed station at Bickleigh, they were now within our crosshairs. We took the tour’s 'detour' off the main drag and through Tiverton town centre for the intermediate sprint. I am sure I was out front at this time so retrospectively claim these points .. I know, as ride leader that’s a bit unfair but it’s got to have its perks.
We rode into Bickleigh Mill just as the Grande were leaving meaning that we now had a very leisurely lunch ahead of us, as they had another 40 miles to cover before we’d be seeing them again in Ide. It was here that we incurred our first delay as Barry’s meal was the last to arrive, but with the weather being dry and warm we were in no rush as we enjoyed a good bit of banter over Barry’s Mr Angry off road coaching experiences and interactions with local celebrities! All too soon our plates were cleared away and it was time to get back on the road.
Having decided that Cadbury Hill could wait for another time, we took the 'non-competitive' route south along the A396 from Bickleigh to Ide. This was relatively busy but a very smooth and quick one following the River Exe into Exeter and west to Ide. The original idea that Clive and I had hatched was for both pelotons to meet up here and pedal on to Haytor together, but our earlier start meant that even with our extended lunch stop they were still a good hour behind us and even, a timely text confirmed, having coffee in Moretonhampstead. We, therefore, pressed on to our 2nd categorised climb at Dunchideock. It was at the base of the climb that Geoff was struck with our first mechanical. His chain had dropped off the small cog and tightly wrapped itself around the frame! It was looking as thought we’d have to actually remove the chainset to free it when pressure placed on the links in the just the right area and sequence started to release the chain from captivity. I had half expected the Grande peloton to come storming around corner as we worked on the upturned bike at the roadside but I think they were still tucking into their teacakes! With Dunchideock done and me bagging the KOM points, we regrouped in Chudleigh ignoring the interim sprint, Dunchideock having taken its toll.
The last 15 miles were perhaps the toughest, as with tired legs full of lunchtime chips, they seemed drag by. Soon we were at the base of the final climb, 4 miles up a 6% average incline Haytor is a brutal way to finish a 75 mile ride. I’ve completed the Dartmoor Classic a couple of times now and have never looked on Haytor as being too bad a climb but now realise why. On the Dartmoor Classic we do not actually do the Haytor climb, we join it less than a mile from the summit just as it is levelling out!
As I reached the first carpark below the rocky summit, I pulled in seeing the yellow of an AVP jersey. It was not, however, our finishing point but that of Geoff with Steve both of whom had formed their own breakaway from the Grande taking the route across the moor from Moretonhampstead to Haytor. Frustratingly and probably destroying any chance of a KOM Strava result, I had to turn around to continue the climb to the official summit half a mile further on. Here one by one I was joined by the rest of the Medio peloton, Barry, Glenn, Ian & Geoff. Our 5 man Medio peloton were well matched and worked really well together, all doing our bit on the front. A great ride, great company and a great time had. The only challenge then was what to do with the remaining 90 minutes before the coach arrived to take us home .. for reference, the Moorlands cafe just over half a mile down the slope serves a very good beer!
