Puncture problems at Buckfastleigh caused a little confusion at the Totnes pick-up, but eventually twenty-five cyclists were heading towards Tuckenhay and Forces Cross. It was amusing to note how many of our merry gang asked to be introduced to the ‘Gretel’ who was listed in the Highwayman as the run’s leader.

Most people were tormented at lunchtime by a particularly bloodthirsty breed of fly that inhabited the destination. Vicky seemed to escape the worst of the bites but several small, male, human-shaped tormentors more than made up for the deficiency.

Some faster Torbay members took the long route to Blackpool via Stokenham so we had time to amuse ourselves on Slapton Sands for a while before setting off for the café. Return was via the Dartmouth ferry, arriving at Totnes just in time to catch the band of rain which had originally been forecast for earlier in the afternoon.