All Day Breakfast Run (May 2025)

All Day Breakfast Run (May 2025)

Sunday May 25th, 08:00 Spaxton Village Hall
One of those days where the forecast is ‘iffy with grounds for optimism’. Overnight rain had just about cleared by the time folk were starting out for the day, some wet stuff still on the road but up above patches of blue sky and sunshine.

A dozen or so assembled for bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and toast and by leaving time (after 09:00) more had turned up to sign on for the run.

53 miles for the route out, past Hawkridge reservoir and over the Quantocks with a brief rendezvous with a West Somerset Railway steam train at Bishops Lydeard. Then the very enjoyable B3227 to Wiveliscombe and along the Brendon Hills past Wimbleball Lake. A quick sprint up the A396, then west again to Exmoor via the ford at Winsford and glorious vistas across the Moor before dropping down towards South Molton for a coffee stop at Quince Honey Farm – where we had the only rain of the day, a short heavy downpour that we were able to watch from the comfort of the cafe. (And by the time we left all traces had gone.)

A slightly longer 62-odd miles for the route back, through South Molton, minor roads to Tiverton (petrol for some) and then through Halberton, Willand and Uffculme, skirting the Blackdown Hills and back north past Bishops Lydeard with another steam train opportunity! Finally over the Quantocks again to Spaxton for tea/coffee and excellent cake at Phil’s.

114.8 miles in all for the day, no rain at all during riding time and pretty much dry roads all the way. However there were some very fresh gravel chippings about from recent resurfacing and there was one casualty on the road down to the stop at the end of the first leg. Fortunately a slow speed downhill tumble into a fairly soft roadside bank with little damage although it was hard work trying to get the bike back out again!

Many thanks to Phil (and all the Cooks and Waiters!) for a really good day out.

 

Gallery