Nine were booked for the first of our Easter Specials, but Brodie rang early to say he was too tired which left eight. We loaded the bikes into two cars and set off around 9.45, Zac going with Tao and the rest with Michael: somehow we managed to get four bikes in the back of Tao’s car so we didn’t need to use his rack.

We parked at Woodbury Castle car park and, after admiring the fabulous views towards Exeter, tried the first bit of off-road, a bridleway that started in the car park. Unfortunately there were so many tracks crossing each other that we came out in the wrong place, but undeterred we continued down the road to Woodbury in search of the second track to Exton. This was marked clearly on the OS map as a cycle route and it was certainly a great track at the start. Unfortunately it turned ridiculously boggy near Rydon Farm. It was so bad that it should never have been marked as suitable for cyclists on the map. We pressed on bravely but Callum O’B got his shoe stuck in the mud at one point and then a little further along came off in a lake of muddy water. Callum F’s loud laughter was not appreciated and it took Michael some time to persuade Callum O’B to retrieve his wet muddy shoes and put them back on!

From Exton station we joined the Exe Trail cycle path towards Exmouth, relieved to find a proper cycling path at last although slightly annoyed that some unforeseen light rain was dampening us down. Michael’s SatNav got wet before he realised, which was to cause problems later in the ride. This was a new cycle path for us and it turned out to be very interesting. Callum O’B was interested to find another Globe Inn at Lympstone, the same name as his father’s establishment in Buckfastleigh.

The rain had stopped by the time we arrived in Exmouth so we parked up in the busy town square to buy lunch. Some had brought packed lunches but everyone took advantage of Michael’s ten-minute shopping allowance to go and buy something. After twenty minutes there was still no sign of Callum F or Connor, and they both had packed lunches, so Ash went off to hunt for them. He found them in KFC, buying food and having a chat with one of Callum’s relatives! Michael had words with them when they eventually returned.

Tao knew Exmouth quite well so he led us to the beach in what was now glorious sunshine. We ate our lunch on the sand, soon joined by Callum F and Connor who had been playing on the trampoline. There was time for Rocket throwing and for Callum F and Connor to go in for a dip, making this a very enjoyable part of the day.

When we set off at 1.40 Michael discovered that water had seeped under the touch screen of his SatNav so that it no longer worked. Fortunately we had printed maps, and anyway Tao had planned a route, so we followed him up the hill and down to the park where we picked up the cycle path to Budleigh. This turned out to be delightful: it had once been a railway line and now it made for perfect cycling through leafy scenery. We passed a tame woodpigeon and a child on a small bike playing gun games. Connor made some unfriendly comment to him and got some unfriendly comments from Michael in return!

It was 2.30 when we arrived at Budleigh so we decided to skip the beach and went straight to the Otterton path. A swan was nesting near the bridge and someone suggested to Connor that he might be able to steal an egg: he clearly didn’t realise the danger and almost had a go before Michael stopped him.

The old lane to Otterton, long since abandoned by the council, made another perfect cycling route, lined with trees and following the river. We then took the lanes to Newton Poppleford and were disappointed to find the shop was shut. To bring us back to the car we followed the bridleway up to Woodbury Castle: Callum O’B was tired now but a chocolate break before the climb helped him find the energy he needed. The scenery on the Common was excellent so we were all pleased to reach the top.

We concluded a very interesting and varied ride by riding around the remnants of the fort in the woods –the youngsters found lots of cool places to jump their bikes. We packed the bikes back into the cars and got back to Buckfastleigh by around 6.25. Everyone played games at the Crofters clubroom until 7.30.

Callum F disappointed Michael by announcing that he was taking Connor somewhere else for the next two days and wouldn’t be joining any more of our special Easter rides, and Callum O’B announced he wouldn’t be coming either as it was “too knackering”! The idea had always been that these rides would be just like a tour except that we’d be going home each night, so the prospect of some people not taking part in all of them seemed to be missing the whole point. At least Connor said he would have preferred to do the cycle rides.