Jenny very kindly took the Marldon lead in Mark's absence, bringing out two very keen new lads who clearly weren't concerned how far they rode on their first ride. Well, perhaps they would have been concerned if someone had told them, but it was too late once they were at Avonwick. Also rather confused was young Paul Ledingham, one of our regular evening riders, who had thought it was a morning-only ride and hadn't brought a packed lunch.

Having fixed the puncture at Avonwick the group followed the main road to Ermington and then took some new lanes through to Bridgend. Riding through the delightful coastal village we came across a group of cyclists from Plymouth. While others ate their lunch Michael spent a little time talking to them of the possibility of starting a Plymouth Section - but only time will tell how successful he was.

Teebo and Wicket (sorry, Mark and Jason) had coped surprisingly well with the morning ride. The return route, along the coast to Holbeton, was against a stiff headwind however, and this time a stop at Erme Mill cafe was definitely the order of the day. Here at last the cafe award scheme got off to a tentative start, with votes being cast by all present and recorded on a temporary form.

Some of the older Buckfastleigh lads decided to go home directly via Ivybridge while the rest took the scenic route in the now beautiful sunshine, bringing out the full autumn colours which were now beginning to show themselves on the trees. There were some steep hills to tackle (one of which proved unnecessary after a wrong turning) which left everyone very tired after a later-than-usual return. Many congratulations to the newcomers, however, and also to young Paul for completing an exhausting ride with comparative ease.