Today, the Devon stage of the Tour of Britain started in Cranbrook and finished in Barnstable; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas were among the riders.
The road to Ottery St Mary – the gateway to the Otter Valley – formed part of the early stage. The video below shows riders passing Straitgate Farm – the area behind the cyclists screened by trees. Aggregate Industries wants to remove a large number of these mature trees as part of its plans to reduce the farm to a sand and gravel quarry.
But let's not spoil the day with ugly thoughts. This was one sporting event enjoyed by thousands of people on the 108.8 mile route. More than that, at least in East Devon, the sun was out, it wasn't raining, the roads were dry, and Aggregate Industries – the company that has recently won fame in the world of motorsport and aquaplaning – will be glad that this is one occasion where it should be able to avoid the sort of PR catastrophe that ensued after the cancelled British Grand Prix MotoGP at Silverstone – a PR catastrophe that @AggregateUK has now managed to escalate, after threatening an experienced and respected motorsport journalist with legal action.
