Having been surprised by the appearance of Paignton's Jenny Quick at the Buckfastleigh start we commenced the laborious climb through Dean and Nurston, being delayed only by a couple of motorists who had become completely lost in their attempts to find the dam.

Young Nicholas had chain problems on arrival at Shipley. When he rejoined us he looked rather like a garage mechanic, his previously spotless clothes now covered with oily fingermarks. We continued to the dam, which was full to overflowing, and then returned across the moor in the usual tradition. As if to try to outdo Nicholas, Toby and Martyn rode through several peaty bogs and Luke fell off whilst negotiating a deep furrow in the field. The refreshments at Crofters were certainly welcome, as were the hot baths when everyone finally got home.