On a fine sunny morning we took the lanes through Broadhempston to Denbury and then by way of a change, followed on through Abbotskerswell and under the new bypass near Langford Bridge. The road undoubtedly offers a huge improvement in travelling times to Torquay, but it has left an ugly scar on this previously unspoiled area of countryside.

After taking a few photos of the thatched cottages in the picturesque village of Coffinswell we decided to explore the lanes through Daccombe – another attractive village in a secluded valley that felt a hundred miles away from the metropolis of Torquay. One of the steepest climbs we have seen on our travels brought us eventually to what looked like the edge of another country village. When we had rested on the conveniently-provided bench set on its grassy island we realised this was actually the edge of Barton.

Google took us down an interesting narrow footpath complete with brambles and steps, through a rough park area and thence down to the Willows. Here we parked our bikes and made our first ever club visit to the M&S café where we enjoyed hot drinks and great conversation.

We bought some sandwiches in the food hall for lunch, ate them outside in the sunshine and then headed home through Edginswell and along another Google-inspired shortcut from the North Whilborough road to Bickley Road. Having skirted past Ipplepen we stopped briefly at the nature reserve to eat our M&S cookies and then raced homewards through Broadhempston, interrupted only by Dillan’s chain getting seriously jammed for the first time as we rolled in to Buckfastleigh.

This new idea for a day ride proved very successful and enjoyable, made all the more pleasant by good weather.