[There were 27 members present this evening but I am still trying to find the complete list]

It really was rewarding to see so many members and parents attending our AGM this year. In fact they weren't just attending, but also volunteering to help with the running of the club and taking an active part in the discussions. The new Committee are listed on the front page of the newsletter, but the following were elected as publicity reps:

Totnes town and school - Luke Hatherly
South Brent - Jeremy Weston
Buckfastleigh - Paul Hamlyn-White
Ashburton & Newton Abbot - Richard Burge
South Dartmoor School - Dayle Guy
Paignton and Torquay - Mark Lakeman

So what important decisions were made at the meeting? There will be weekly evening rides from Marldon starting next April, following the same format as the very successful Buckfastleigh rides. And evening rides at Buckfastleigh will always be on Fridays next year instead of alternating between Tuesdays and Fridays. Surplus funds will be used to purchase books and catalogues on cycling which will be available for loan to members. And the Section newsletter has been expanded to include reports on previous Section activities - as you can see. The Committee intend to publish a compilation of Section activities from January to June 1988 in a special booklet, priced at about 60p and available on request.

Finally, members are invited to think up designs for a logo for some new cycle clothing and badges which will be offered to members later in the year. The logo should be obviously South Dartmoor Section and obviously cycling, and it may be as simple or complex as you like. A design from several years ago showed some cyclists on Postbridge clapper bridge, so that's what you've got to beat. Please send in your ideas as soon as possible, for judging by the Section Committee near Christmas.

This was an important day in the history of South Dartmoor Section. The occasion was the introduction of afternoon rides from Marldon, meaning that the Marldon start point now has rides on every Sunday of the year. On this occasion both Buckfastleigh and Marldon groups were meeting each other half way - if the former were a bit late it was only because they paused at Staverton to observe a particularly bedraggled bunch of youngsters attempting in vain to float their raft on the Dart.

Dave Humphreys, who will be the regular leader for all afternoon rides from Marldon, got off to a good start with a rear puncture in his Raleigh Randonneur shortly after the rendezvous. Repair was speedy, however, and the group were soon able to complete the ride through Denbury, skirting back to Broadhempston before the two contingents went their separate ways.

The first social of the new season, dominated by computer games in traditional style, also included a video on frame building and the viewing of a certain home-made movie, which triggered ideas for a similar enterprise next year.

Jenny very kindly took the Marldon lead in Mark's absence, bringing out two very keen new lads who clearly weren't concerned how far they rode on their first ride. Well, perhaps they would have been concerned if someone had told them, but it was too late once they were at Avonwick. Also rather confused was young Paul Ledingham, one of our regular evening riders, who had thought it was a morning-only ride and hadn't brought a packed lunch.

Having fixed the puncture at Avonwick the group followed the main road to Ermington and then took some new lanes through to Bridgend. Riding through the delightful coastal village we came across a group of cyclists from Plymouth. While others ate their lunch Michael spent a little time talking to them of the possibility of starting a Plymouth Section - but only time will tell how successful he was.

Teebo and Wicket (sorry, Mark and Jason) had coped surprisingly well with the morning ride. The return route, along the coast to Holbeton, was against a stiff headwind however, and this time a stop at Erme Mill cafe was definitely the order of the day. Here at last the cafe award scheme got off to a tentative start, with votes being cast by all present and recorded on a temporary form.

Some of the older Buckfastleigh lads decided to go home directly via Ivybridge while the rest took the scenic route in the now beautiful sunshine, bringing out the full autumn colours which were now beginning to show themselves on the trees. There were some steep hills to tackle (one of which proved unnecessary after a wrong turning) which left everyone very tired after a later-than-usual return. Many congratulations to the newcomers, however, and also to young Paul for completing an exhausting ride with comparative ease.

This was a specially-compiled slide show comprising four different tours of Scotland. Some people had changed a lot in five years.

Problems caused by the huge turnout at Totnes were compounded by Torbay Section's arrival and departure. Eugene's last-minute decision to rush home for his bike delayed us even more, but eventually we were on our way along Sharpham Drive, an "interesting" track route towards Ashprington. Jeremy got a puncture within the first two minutes, then Simon's chain broke. Fortunately on this occasion things didn't happen in threes, and we were able to enjoy the leafy autumn lanes, gates, meadows, stiles, steep fields and woody tracks that led us eventually back to solid roads. The track-lovers were happy, and the rest had at least enjoyed the delightful unspoiled views of the Dart.

A new track at Tuckenhay, explored by the intrepid Simon and his foolhardy followers, turned out to be longer and a good deal harder than the road alternative. Time now dictated a fast search for a sheltered lunch spot.

Continuing towards Dittisham, a number of faster riders at the front of the group found out the hard way that speed doesn't pay. Laurence needed a bit of first aid treatment and his bike required some attention as well, but he didn't seem too bothered about continuing with the ride despite it all. Our cyclists really are made of sturdy materials!

After lunch we continued to Dittisham, where the majority favoured paying the ferryman 75p to cross the river to Greenway. The crossing was enjoyable if short, and the return through Galmpton was a good deal easier than the western alternative. Small groups returned to their respective homes in descending gloom and a chill night air.

The Paignton venue for this social attracted an excellent attendance. Topics covered included recognition of map symbols, use of six figure grid references and measurement of distances. The evening was concluded with a 20-question quiz based on the Torbay area OS map, for which members needed to draw on all they had learned.

Maypool's firework display has always been a popular event in our diary. This year's display was the most expensive ever provided by the hostel, costing more than £110, but a record turnout helped to ensure that the hostel covered their costs - another first.

The journey to the hostel was punctuated with a few notable incidents. Mark and Paul Lakeman reached the Marldon start just in time to miss leader Mark Williams, and so had to find their own way to the hostel. The others met the Buckfastleigh and Totnes starters at Longcombe and proceeded to climb the famous Parliament Hill. Lights were required for the remaining section to Galmpton, but they weren't bright enough to scare away some dogs near Waddeton - Jeremy was the unfortunate victim, standing no chance of avoiding the excited creatures. Fortunately no-one was hurt.

After the fireworks came the barbecue, boasting vegetarian hot dogs for those who didn't fancy the traditional offerings. The Dartmouth lights provided a delightful backdrop to the evening, although certain individuals seemed more interested in pushing their friends over the grassy banks than admiring the views.