Axe Valley Pedallers

It was a cold and frosty February morning when an intrepid group of 18 Pedallers set out for the AVP’s second Sunday ride of 2012.

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The cyclists - aged from about 18 to 80 - met at Axminster Cross, instead of their usual Seaton Tram Station venue, for an expedition into the frozen North, along the icy lanes around Membury and Dalwood. Safety was a prime concern after one of the coldest nights of the year, but apart from one puncture which was speedily mended, the ride passed without accident and nobody fell off.

Leadership of the ride was in the capable hands of Ben “Buster” Dowell whose renowned knowledge of the Axe Valley area inspired confidence in the group that, however unlikely it might seem, a warm café would eventually materialise. The route went up into the hills above Axminster before descending along Green Down to Membury, with the church bells reverberating through the village.

A complex traverse of the Yarty valley then lead through Danes Hill to Wilmington, crossing the main A35 avoiding the heavy traffic and emerging as if by magic at Offwell, directly opposite the SunDial Café. A welcome rest and a warm drink followed before the group tackled the final leg over Yardbury Hill and dispersed in various directions towards home. Home in some cases was as far away as Exeter and it was good to have the company of riders from outside the Axe Valley.

Cyclists from outside the area are always welcome to join AVP club rides. Details at axevalleypedallers.org.uk