Tao and Michael had planned a route last week for today’s ride, so when everyone had finally arrived at 10.40 we set off up Dean Hill, impressed by the speed at which new rider Jude reached the top. Crossing the new and very expensive bridge at Drybridge we took the lanes to Venton Cross and continued on past Blakemore. The track to Peak Cross looked rather muddy so we crossed the main road at Gerston and took the lane to Harbertonford, a route we used frequently on our day rides in the 1990s. Michael recalled the time when veteran member Frank Boyes from Torbay pulled a starting pistol out of his saddlebag without warning to scare off an aggressive dog in the 1980s.

At Harbertonford the Post Office and Stores provided a convenient refreshment stop. The river and bridge, coupled with the disused telephone box purchased and maintained by the council, made the whole area very scenic. The lack of coffee and hot food coupled with high prices was disappointing, however. Perhaps we should have visited the garage around the corner?

Next we followed the Mill Leat road to Bow Bridge, busy and interesting as always. There is a ford across the river, but even the bravest members gave that a miss today in view of the high water flow. A short climb brought us to Ashprington village from where we joined the cycle path to Totnes. This felt much easier in this direction, offering great descents and spectacular views over the Dart. Michael and Tao remembered the times when some sections were just too boggy or steep to negotiate easily by bike, but the new tarmac path has solved all those problems.

We were heading for the Totnes Morrisons for lunch, and we arrived by 1.45. There was a 25 minute wait for food, but prices were cheap as usual and most were satisfied with the meals they were served. Tao bought a doughnut that was packed with jam so Michael then bought a pack of five from the bakery and shared them out. Tao reckoned they were the best doughnuts money could buy and did his best to make things difficult for John, who had decided not to have one.

We took the riverside cycle path back to Dartington, passing numerous Cider Press shoppers along the way, then after pumping John’s tyre on the descent to Riverford Bridge we returned along Colston Road after a very satisfying and varied ride. Jude still had plenty of energy when we got home - very impressive considering this was only his second ride with us.