June the 14th was the date for the third Velo Vintage ride, this years was twice the size with over two hundred riders at the event, fellows who have been on the earlier rides may have a few concerns about the event loosing a little of it’s intimacy. The earlier events had a distinct feel of a family gathering with our distinguished hosts Alastair and Seb making everyone feel personally welcome.
Signing on complete, cards stamped and two old Pennies issued (to be redeemed later) we had a little time to meet our friends and make a few new ones before Mr Cope (Snr.) made an announcement regarding the route and a few hints as to what was to come. Almost to the second with the sort of timing that irony holds in reserve for these occasions, the heavens opened as we set off along the promenade, this left we riders with only one option get the raincoats out and proceed. Thwarted the shower soon gave up and we carried on our loop around Exmouth before heading out along the Otter Trail.
The weather made one last attempt at cracking our resolve and threw everything it had at us, I should admit at this stage to taking shelter under a bridge with a few other souls as the torrent came down. This lilly liveredness did pay me back shortly afterwards at our first stop The Swan Inn the hardy types that carried on were already at the bar, fortunately for a pub that had two hundred plus riders descend upon it they managed to serve us at such an astounding rate, so much so that after a quick chat with Mr Cope (Snr.) it was confirmed we would indeed have enough time for another pint before setting off.<!--more-->
Time to move on, riders causing good natured congestion in the streets around Lympstone before heading up a hill towards A La Rounde. Including the hill or The Hill as it became known was a brave decision by the organisers with nearly everyone walking up, a few ladies and gentlemen on modern machinery managed and one of the most endearing sites was a young girl on a vintage three wheeler happily riding up the incline. To the walkers it mattered not one jot, it was merely an opportunity to push and chat instead of ride and chat.
A few hundred bikes safely propped up around the grounds we got to spend our first penny on delicious Devonshire cream tea, a bottle or two may have also been opened by the Basket Brigade with the 50:50 Pimms rapidly going down in GA folklore. It was also here we met Anton, a photographer fellow who had contacted us via electronic format and an assignation was arranged. He takes a rather pleasing image and was even capable of making some of the Guvnors Assembly half presentable.
After leaving A La Ronde it was a quick ride downhill into Exmouth (always nice to have a little payback on an ascent), and further entertainment at the Strand in the town centre, including a pint of Tribute purchased with our second penny, rumour has it a few of the less scrupulous riders had forgone a cream tea in lieu of two pints…
Finally, time for the various prizes to be awarded including one donated by our very own Cycling Photographer, now modesty forbids me from saying who one “Best Dressed Man” taking the title for the third consecutive time for the GA, but it was a little surprising how cheaply the judges sell their scruples.
Now, of course this event would not happen without Sebastian and Alastair from Velo Vintage time and organisation to them both a massive thank you, but a well deserved hussar is also deserved for the marshals who steered us all true and all the sponsors who donated some fantastic prizes, last but by no means least the lovely Naomi for impeccable taste
Oh and our initial concerns – completely unfounded
and courtesy of Velo Vintage a little feature presentation
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