When everyone had gathered at the Bickington pickup there were around nineteen cyclists milling around in their colourful garments. There was some confusion at Ilsington for those unaware of the Presland coffee service, but the group was soon reunited for the ride along the granite tramway.

This railway, the earliest in Devon, was constructed in 1820 from granite sets laid lengthwise and cut with a flange. Its function was to carry granite from the Haytor quarries to the Stover canal. Records suggest that a train of twelve adapted road wagons were pulled by eighteen stalwart horses during the railway’s fifty or so years of operation.

One of the above-mentioned quarries, whilst providing suitable amusement for the lunch stop, afforded little protection from the chill wind. There were few regrets therefore when the leaders set off across the open moor towards Smallacombe Rocks and Becka Brook. A water fight, some letterboxes and the remains of Graetor village provided some opportunity for rest during the arduous climb to Hound Tor, although the scenery was so delightful that one hardly needed an excuse to stop.

At this point a decision was made to have tea at Widecombe. Someone (Kevin I think) suggested that the track from Jay’s Grave to Natsworthy would make an interesting route, being downhill all the way and reasonably scenic. The advice was accepted, and for the next forty minutes efforts were directed at traversing a number of regularly spaced boggy strips that looked as though they were specially watered at weekly intervals to keep cyclists away.

By the time Matthew’s chain had been freed from his chainwheel and the mountain bike trials had been completed at Natsworthy the afternoon was far from young. Tea at Widecombe was not therefore an extended affair, and Torbay and Dart Valley groups separated at Cold East Cross.