The scout had planned to ride from Okehampton but he got wind of a visit by Campaign for Better Transport, part of Better Transport Week’s nationwide tour. Finishing at Okehampton may have allowed the scout to meet people from the organization to which the Teign Valley subscribes.
The scout climbed the long hill from the Taw Valley, past Eggesford House, and stopped at Wembworthy.
The scout carried on and joined the Torrington turnpike at Berner’s Cross, from where it is not far to the former R.A.F. Winkleigh.
The scout rode along very quiet and enjoyable lanes to Dowland. Cloud was forecast, but the day turned out to be warm and sunny.
From Dowland, the scout turned south and rode towards Iddesleigh.
A beautiful documentary from the B.B.C. Archive.
The scout continued to enjoy the undulating roads of the Mid-Devon Plateau as he rode towards Monk Okehampton.
The B3217 brought the scout to Exbourne.
The scout could have downed a cold beer and the underground shop looked enticing, but he decided to press on towards Jacobstowe.
Of the six villages the scout had visited for the first time on this ride, Jacobstowe was the most significant, for he had once lived in a cob-built house on Exwick Road in Exeter which someone had named “Jacobstowe.”
The scout took the lane which climbs gently to Abbeyford Wood and then drops suddenly to Knowle Bridge, over the Okement, very close to Okehampton’s North Road Trading Estate.
Left to right: Sue Baxter (Dartmoor Railway Association); Matt Barnes; Unknown; Michael Ireland (OkeRail); Michael Solomon Williams; Tom Baxter (D.R.A.).
When the scout returned to the utilicon, he had clocked 30 miles. Between Eggesford and Okehampton, he had seen one other cyclist, a working fellow on an electric mount.