A morning of heavy rain had left Dave Humphreys fairly confident of a zero attendance for the Marldon afternoon ride, but just when he was going home for a cup of tea at 2.30, two mad riders arrived on the scene.


The merry little band took the lanes to Newton Abbot, continued up the long climb to the top of Twickenham Road and then took the track on the left that leads down to Haccombe. It was downhill all the way, and offered good views of Teignmouth.


Haccombe itself consisted of a tiny chapel with a large mansion nearby. There was time to look at the chapel, which was very beautiful, but it was beginning to get chilly so the threesome set off for home. There were a few climbs along the way, and some confusion about which way to go, but eventually they were on the lanes between North Wilborough and Compton at the end of a very pleasant ride - better than any cup of tea!


No-one braved the rain at Buckfastleigh, which was just as well since Michael was laid up in bed with flu for the day.