The threatening weather had discouraged all but the most hardy (or insane!) who set off under Ken's indecisive leadership to Edginswell. The idea was to meet a new member, Dominic Steeples, near his home as he would not have had time to get to Marldon for 7pm. In the event Dave had a puncture due to the tread of his Hutchinson tyre disintegrating. By the time we had patched the tyre, fitted a new tube and maimed all of our thumbs struggling with the Hutchinson's ridiculously tight beading, we didn't get to Edginswell until 8pm and Dominic wasn't there. Still, we did try!

Our route then took us past the Barton new town development and on to Coffinswell (again!). Rather than go directly home via Kingskerswell we went through Abbotskerswell to the Ipplepen end of the Compton road. This route meant that we were never more than about forty minutes from home so that Ken could time the return for 9.30 exactly - some of his previous rides had been rather late, or early.

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Return from Salcombe was across the ferry to East Portlemouth, and then via Slapton Sands and Totnes. We lost Peter Rushworth at Bow Bridge: he took a wrong turning and promptly got a puncture, so he wasn't missed until we had climbed the long hill. He found his way home eventually, however.

Ashburton, Buckland in the moor, Spitchwick and Hembury made an interesting route. We spent a little too long at Spitchwick, waiting for some members to finish wading in the cool waters, which made us later home than we planned.

Martin and Richard didn't fancy the allotted destination of Burgh Island before the Rough Stuff event, so they found some roads that were new to them to take them first to tea at Totnes and then on to Woolston Green.

Meeting with other members of the Devon DA at one end of the Beaston track was a recipe for a fabulous day. Buckfastleigh starters were still late, because they had to go via Totnes to meet up with other Section members. Arthur Browne, the organiser from Exeter, had put together a superb course to test us, and his wife had prepared excellent refreshments which included freshly baked current buns. We are, as always, indebted to them both.

Lorraine didn't feel well. She hadn't felt well the day before or the day before that. Cause of the illness? Kenotandophobia (ie she was trying to get out of going for a ride on the back of Ken's tandem that had been originally planned for the Monday). Ken wasn't to be put off so easily so he went round early on the sunny Wednesday evening and persuaded her to 'just come round the block' - it was a revelation! Hills that had previously hurt became flat - she was hooked. Even so, Ken and Charlie still had to persuade her to come out on the actual ride, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

The rest of the ride? Pretty ordinary really - through the lanes to Broadhempston, round to the Woodland road and back via the cross at Style Park Gardens. Everyone had a great time, especially our two new members.

After climbing Dean hill we took the right turn short-cut from Eden Farm to Gidley Bridge. The sheltered field near the stream at the top of the valley, secluded amongst the surrounding woodlands and stocked with peacefully-grazing cattle and sheep, made an idyllic picture. Having climbed the track to Lambsdown we returned across the moor to Cross Furzes and thence to Buckfastleigh.

An easy late start for the Buckfastleigh riders but a hard slog for Ken (with Karina) and Ben, the only Paignton/Totnes starters (there would have been more from Totnes if Luke Hatherly hadn't given them false information). There was more hard work in store as we climbed through Hembury Woods onto the moor. Somebody was flying a kite across the road near Venford reservoir, seemingly unaware of the danger.

The moors were particularly busy with canned lemmings following each other tail to tail, which made the lung-busting climbs unpleasant at times as we inhaled their exhausts. The destination was about half a mile from the road: even here was busy with walkers and other families, but it was a lovely setting down by the river.

As usual Martin Luke and his sidekick Neil were soon in the water. Unusually though things didn't get out of hand and there were no tears.

The afternoon tea stop was at Dartmeet where the proprietor hustled us to suitable tables very efficiently, if a trifle condescendingly. He didn't seem interested in our consumer feedback that a No Smoking area would be a benefit. "When the government says that I have to ban smoking then I will," was his comment. Presumably he only cleans the plates because "the government says so". We got the impression that pleasing customers was not a priority, although it must be admitted that the place was well run.

The day passed by with no major mishaps - not even a puncture - but the Bank Holiday traffic ruined it for many of us. Perhaps the 'Honeypot' routes are best left for the winter?