Plym Valley Trail

On Saturday we decided to dust the cobwebs of the bikes (well I dont even own one and the OH's is shiny clean as its only been used once) and go out and explore a bit more of Devon by following the Plym Valley Cycle Trail.

We planned to set off at 10am from our house and follow the 10 mile route from Plymouth to Clearbrook (near Yelverton) and back.

When Helen arrived we were all ready to set off - well no we weren't, the other half just had to sort out a couple of things on his bike first.

Finally it seemed we were ready to go.....oh no wait.... a little test ride was needed first.

YAY we were finally ready - All systems go!!

At 10:30am we left the car park and cycled along the estuary on Embankment Road to Marsh Mills Sainsbury's to stock up on some food for lunch.





After filling up our backbacks we carried on to the start of the national cycle network route 27 - Not the most scenic route out of Plymouth.....

....but soon we were into the reliable hands of the National Trust.

Posing on the bridge with the camera timer on.....

This photo nearly caused a passing cyclist to crash over his handlebars whilst screeching to a halt so he wasn't caught in the picture. He stopped just in time so unfortunately the camera (which was randomly on burst) only caught our reactions.

A couple of action shots taken while precariously balancing one handed.....

....before you say the OH's is clearer check out the first one he took...

The route is a very gentle incline all the way there, so we stopped a couple of times - just to take some photos you see, not because I needed a little break. 

About half way along the trail we bumped into the usual flash tosser....

                   

......who was just practising his wheely riding!?!?!

After passing the guy who forgot to hire a unicycle we came to the Shaugh tunnel.

It was created by Brunel by cutting straight through the rock and inside its very cold and damp and a little creepy to be honest.

While looking online after doing the route I found a webpage that explains the tunnels horrible feeling.

Eeeek - I'm so glad it was recently fitted with electric lights!

After the tunnel we reached the most difficult part of the route - a steep rocky incline...

....which called for us to get off our bikes and walk.

We weren't being lazy - we were told to see :-)

And after the steep hills we were there!!!! We arrived into Clearbrook at 1pm ready for lunch and a drink at the local pub.

After a quick rest we got back onto the bikes (I'm still sitting on every cushion I can find) and headed back. 

As it was slightly downhill all the way home we were back to the beginning of the trail in no time at all, with the wind blowing in our hair and the sun on our face :-D