Richard enjoys leading these rides from Marldon because the 'locals' can show off their knowledge of the local byways. This time it was the small lanes to the east of Beacon Hill on our way to Stoke Gabriel. En route we discovered a dozen items of camping gear - cooking pans, broken crockery, etc - on the road, that had presumably fallen off some poor grockel's car.

"Paul Hamlyn-White stopped dead in his tracks. He stared fixedly at the creature in front of him, trying to work out why it had not run off as he approached like the others had done. The creature stood its ground as Paul grappled with his inadequate memory banks: he was sure there was something about cows, if only he could remember. Then he saw the horns. A quiver of fright ran through his body. This was a bull.

A detailed examination of the creature's expression told him that it was not pleased. Furthermore, Paul was fairly certain that he was the object of its displeasure. With only a couple of metres of rough moorland between them, he looked around to see where he could run. Behind him were the other club members. They seemed to be waiting some way off - if only he had been using his eyes and brain instead of trying to get down the hill first. But it was too late to think of that now. He had to do something.

The decision was made. Quietly, carefully, he edged backwards, trying not to move too quickly and smiling blandly back at the bull. The bike, which had been fine for the descent, was not making things any easier now. The bull was watching his movements intently. Paul was sure it was about to charge at him, but the distance increased and the bull didn't come.

When he had put ten metres between them, Paul turned around and ran back to the others as fast as his legs would carry him. How they laughed to see his face, as white as a Persil sheet.

By this time Simon and Michael had arrived on the scene. Simon, usually unafraid in the most terrifying situations, studied the situation carefully and recommended that we give the creature a wide berth. The club carefully swung away from the track and passed the bull at least 15 metres to its right. As Michael looked back he was relieved to see the herbivore still in its previous position, contenting itself to watch the antics of South Dartmoor CTC in quiet amusement. The crisis was over.

As he began to relax at last, Paul contemplated the events that had led him here. He recalled the long, hard climb past Skerraton, a hill that few of the club members had climbed before. He thought of the names he had called Michael when the track route to Lambsdown was announced. He remembered the feeling of exhilaration he had experienced when he emerged onto the open moor, the evening sun casting long, mysterious shadows from the grassy hillocks at his feet. And he remembered the final descent towards Cross Furzes.

Yes, this had been an evening to remember. He decided he was in no fit state to join the others at the Crofters Cafe. That would have to wait until another day."

This ride, designed to introduce members gently to the concept of reliability rides, proved tougher than the distance would suggest as a result of the hot, sunny conditions. Several would-be participants were put off before the start by the weather forecast.

Richard's carefully-selected route took the participants initially through Newton Abbot, Teigngrace and Heathfield to Bovey Tracey. It was Michael who first discovered that ice-cool cans of Sunkist could be purchased from the Brookside Tearooms for consumption outside the premises - stocks soon ran low as temperatures soared!

Leaving Bovey there was a short delay when Michael's rear tyre exploded. Following the Fingle Bridge incident a few weeks earlier he had fitted a tyre from the Dawes, which today turned out to have severe skid marks in rather important places. When temporary repairs had been effected and grateful members had soaked up the coolness which abounded under the nearby trees, slow progress began along the climb to Manaton. Poor Erica was having some breathing problems and decided to take her time. The rest of the group settled in the shade of a tree at the top of the hill and watched as Michael stole the limelight yet again, this time by eating a molten Yorkie bar.

Members had heard of the new cafe complex at Becky Falls, and today seemed an ideal opportunity to sample its delights. It appeared to have been completely rebuilt in modern style, a great improvement on its previous image.

Erica was still suffering under the heat when we were ready to leave, so she and Hazel returned homewards while the rest of us continued to Heatree Cross for lunch in the shade of some trees. All but Richard then proceeded to complete the ride, following a devious and quite hilly route to Postbridge where the Post Office supplied us with much-needed refreshments. The Bellever road then took us past cooling waters (Julie couldn't resist a dip) to Bel Tor Corner.

When Michael had repaired his rear tyre again, some insisted on taking Dr Blackall's Drive to New Bridge as there had been no rough riding at all on the route sheet. Michael conceded, but decided to lead the road group in view of the state of his rear tyre. This proved a definite mistake. Around the first corner the road vanished under a sea of molten Tarmac. As we pedalled through the sticky mess we realised the penalty of falling off would be ruined clothes and ruined shoes. There was no stopping, and seemingly no end to the nightmare. Never had any of us seen a road in such a state. Clearly the weather conditions were exceptional.

Relief came at Poundsgate. We would have a good evening's work cleaning our bikes that night, but for now we contented ourselves with a dip in the River Dart at New Bridge.

Congratulations to the successful participants: Philip Roberts, Roger Johnson, Martyn Williams, Gary Taylor, Jeremy Weston, Andrew Simmons, John Stuart, Michael Jones, Steven Hills and Julie Hobday. Certificates will be awarded at the Christmas Lunch.

Torbryan was the chosen destination, and we returned via Park Hill and Compton, where they were still playing cricket.

The Country Park, which had been busy all day, was now relatively quiet except for the security officer on the gate. He wanted to see confirmation of our right of free access, granted by special permission of the director.

When the Anaconda Run had been given a good polish by the rear ends of our members we continued on through the park to Holne Chase. Those wanting to visit Spitchwick were narrowly defeated on the vote, and so return was made via Holne, Shuttaford and the Hembury track - lighting conditions, moisture content and direction of travel were all perfect this evening.

Demands for a beach ride were satisfied by taking the back lanes through Blagdon and Hillhead to Mansands. The last part of the route involved an interesting track descent which only three rode all the way - and two of those were Ken and Ben with the trailer!

When some had enjoyed a swim and others had equally enjoyed poking around the rocks, this excellent evening was rounded off with a return via STC.

In a successful attempt to avoid radial roads we took a sequence of three tracks from Pridhamsleigh to Thornecroft, being delightfully surprised to discover a small stream running down the last. Some of us hadn't seen water under wheel for many months. Encouraged by the earlier tracks we continued down Simon's favourite footpath to Lower Combe, behind Highñer Beara, and then to Staverton via Wash Farm and Abham. The Colston Road return concluded yet another delightful evening.