I READ with interest the report from Mr Pinch, the volunteer Sustrans ranger regarding a possible cycle route along the Tavistock Canal in the August 7 edition of the Times. The Tavistock area has been blessed by millions of pounds of public money being spent on local cycle networks in the past few years, including the Drake Trail from Plymouth, the Granite Way from Okehampton, and the Tamar Trails network in the Tamar Valley.   Mr Pinch's letter draws attention to the missing link in all of this —how to integrate Tavistock with the  Tamar Trails network. This would enable out of area cyclists to access this broader network via the train stations on the Bere Peninsula, much in the same way the branch line at Barnstaple is used to access the very popular Devon Coast to Coast route.   With this in place, Tavistock could credibly claim to be a cycling hub for West Devon. We have three excellent cycle shops in the area and with Tavistock being well advertised as a cycling hub with the support of local government, we could support an orientation centre with drop in mechanic services, trail advisory assistance, a shuttle service (and maybe even some decent coffee!).  Cycling remains one of the fastest growing sports in the country and could bring significantly more tourist trade to the the town and its environs. So how about it West Devon Borough and Tavistock Town Council?  James Cole Sampford Spiney I FEELbitter disappointment at the county council's choice to shelve the bike link between Bere Alston and Tavistock along the disused railway line, due to concerns over danger.  Vast sums of public money have been sunk into this merit worthy scheme, which was well on route towards completion.  Whilst Dartmoor cycling is blossoming following funding of £4.4m (2013 DfT 'linking communities fund'), the council is taking backward steps.  The Dartmoor routes include soaring viaducts and extensive tunnels alike.  Talk of an alternative route will likely lead to a further waste of public money since the old rail route is the only link between the two locations that will avoid such backbreaking hills as to put off all but the most hardened cyclists.  Having nearly been killed myself on the main road by dangerous drivers, what is it about the proposed off-road link that was supposed to be even more perilous?  With recent high profile cycling events that included Tavistock, cycling was supposed to become a priority.  In reality I do not see any link being created in my own lifetime.  Do we not have any cyclists on the council? Jeremy Maddock Bere Alston