A POSSE of cyclists will be pedalling through West Devon next week, in celebration of the opening of the first 5,000 miles of the National Cycle Network.
They will be riding at the same time as thousands of others all over the country, taking part in the Longest Ride on the Longest Day.
The riders will leave Totnes on the morning of June 21 to cycle the 64 miles to the centre of the county at Okehampton, stopping en route for an official reception at Tavistock hosted by the borough council.
The leg from Tavistock to Okehampton is being led by Eric Pinch, a local volunteer Sustrans route ranger.
Mr Pinch expects about 35 cyclists including members of Tavistock Wheelers to take part in the ride.
He said the route would take in the controversial traffic-calmed section of Whitchurch Road and the newly opened cycle route between Crease Lane and Old Exeter Road.
'This ride is seen as one of celebration for Sustrans and has been a registered event,' said Mr Pinch.
The group is expected to arrive in Okehampton at 4.15pm, to be met by the town mayor Cllr Christine Marsh, county councillor Colleen Herriman and John Rigby of Sustrans.
Another group of cyclists will also be pedalling down from the north of the county from Barnstaple, taking in Bideford and Meeth along the way before arriving at Okehampton.
The ride is part of the national Millennium Festival of Cycling which takes place between June 17 and 25.
Other events in the area include free 'Dr Bike' clinics at Tavistock Cycles, and a family cycle ride and treasure hunt.
The National Cycle Network is a Millennium Commission project supported by £43.5 million of National Lottery Funds — and Sustrans hope the 5,000 miles of safe, attractive and high quality cycle routes could be doubled to 10,000 miles by 2005.