Axe Valley Pedallers had their first large gathering of the year by riding in small groups to the Gyle Brewery near Thorncombe, where over 20 of us enjoyed a craft beer tasting, brunch and live music.
We were given four samples to taste with an excellent description by Gyle Brewery of the methods and ingredients involved to produce these craft beers. This was naturally followed by a gentle and careful ride home.
The evening 10-mile time trials went well again, with seven riders from Axe Valley Pedallers giving of their best, and four excellent perfromances saw riders improving on previous times.
The results were as follows: John Hodgetts 26'42", Jimmy Richards 24'40", Rex Stidwell 27'30", Clive Heard 26'43", Steve Heal 27'14", Jonathan Read-Bone 28'43" and Neil Miller on 27'57".
David Gray also rode a separate trial at the weekend, achieving a brilliant time of 24'00", knocking two-and-a-half minutes off last year’s best.
The photo of Clive Heard and Jonathan Read-Bone shows this dynamic duo dismissing the paparazzi on their way to the start line and another photo, also of David Gray, heading down on the way to a fine result.
Congratulations from everyone at the Axe Valley Pedallers to Richard Gorst, who continued his fabulous summer form, coming third with another podium place in the South Eastern XC MTB Championships at Pippingford in Sussex.
On a bright, sunny and rather sticky day, some of the more senior members of the club rode on a mystery tour ride starting from Seaton and navigating some very potholed and gravelly minor lanes to Stockland stopping on the way back for refreshments at Millers Farm--Colin and Jane in coordinating jerseys obviously enjoying their coffee and cake rewards.
A little further from home, former Mid-Devon Cycling Club starlet Harrison Wood has returned to Devon buoyed after his battling 19th place in Italy's Under-23 Giro d'Italia, the world's biggest race for aspiring pros.
Wood overcame two crashes to lead the Dutch SEG Racing Academy team home after ten hot and gruelling stages against 150 riders.

Midweek Herald: Fine beers and food for AVPFine beers and food for AVP (Image: AVP)

Midweek Herald: Another podium finish for Richard GorstAnother podium finish for Richard Gorst (Image: AVP)

Midweek Herald: Give us a wave chapsGive us a wave chaps (Image: AVP)