After a gentle ride along the Lustleigh railway track, about half the group (mainly the oldies and the very youngies) decided to shorten the ride and headed straight for the Primrose café. The rest of us - including Paul and Ben - took the Wray valley road from Bovey Tracey and stopped for lunch near the old railway bridge on the outskirts of Moretonhampstead, sitting on piles of logs. Stephen and Daniel decided to head homewards for some reason, leaving the rest of us to continue to the destination.

Conditions were somewhat breezy on the hill, but the views were extensive. We returned home via Chagford and Hound Tor rocks, leaving Paul and Ben very ready to consume tea at Crofters and await the arrival of Mum in the van.

Dave abandoned the ride owing to the bad weather.

The famous Totnes track was the destination this evening, which we reached by traversing Colston road. Most of the youngsters missed the whole point of the track by racing along it at full pelt. During the return, which was via Barracks Hill and Rattery, we were horrified to see a live rat sitting beside the entrance to a Week farm. It didn't run off, so we presumed it had eaten some rat poison kindly left for it by the farmer.

Five souls braved the foul weather conditions in order to meet in a Totnes café for coffee, but nobody fancied continuing to the destination so the ride was abandoned.

Despite the weather, five hardy souls turned up with the intention of having a short ride, getting soaked and going home early. In the event the heavy rain never materialised so we kept extending the ride until eventually returning home for 9.00.

The pace was unusually very fast, averaging about 12mph. New members Dave and Mark Vernon showed their high level of basic fitness as they kept up despite high gears and a terminal bottom bracket on Dave's bike.

Originally scheduled for the previous week, the threat of bad weather had prompted a postponement. A shame really, for about fifteen riders had expressed their intention of going. This week we had just two: Martin and Richard. We altered the route to take account of the wind, and a nearly full moon rose as we passed Bickington discussing the finer points of the last episode of Twin Peaks.

We had two climbs of our own: from Steps Bridge towards Moretonhampstead, and from Bovey Tracey to Haytor. Both were new to Martin, and he wasn't impressed, but perhaps the darkness meant he was unable to appreciate their scenic qualities. Caution was needed with the few mad drivers around in the early hours, although the slightly eerie moonlit landscape was more than enough compensation. No glowworms this year, although we saw both a fox and a badger.

We took our usual route up to Shipley Bridge and back to Cross Furzes, the only memorable incident occurring when Neil hit a stone on a descent and buckled his front wheel.

Every year we seem to have trouble with the weather on our Ten Tors event. Once again mist and drizzle shrouded Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor, but things had improved by early afternoon so that we were able to enjoy the spectacular views from Bel Tor, Honeybag Tor, Chinkwell Tor and Mel Tor for the first time!

Regrettably, a few of the older teenagers decided to challenge the Section's unspoken policy on riding across open moorland. We encourage responsible off-road cycling on bridleways, and permit it on certain other tracks or rights of way. Riding on open moorland, however, is never permitted without express permission: members who breach this rule threaten the reputation of all cyclists in the eyes of walkers and landowners. Perhaps all members could try to observe this policy whenever they are riding their cycles, either in or out of the club: it is CTC policy and a part of the Mountain-Bike code.

There was some confusion on Dr Blackalls Drive as some of the mountain bikers took a rougher track to New Bridge and some other members followed them by mistake. Congratulations are due to the following, however, for completing all ten tors this year:

<table>
<tr><td>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Matthew Jeffery</td><td>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Martin Luke</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Sebastian Lessware</td><td></td><td>Dave Humphreys</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Alex Lessware</td><td></td><td>Mike Bryant</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Tom Widger</td><td></td><td>Jenny Bryant</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Martin Hills</td><td></td><td>Christian Bryant</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Dayle Guy</td><td></td><td>Andrew Guy</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Peter Rushworth</td><td></td><td>Michael Jones</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Martin Rushworth</td><td></td><td>Ashley Freeman</td></tr></table>

Certificates will be presented at the Christmas Lunch ride in December.

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Michael informed those present that, according to the weather forecast, a thunderstorm was moving towards South Devon from Cornwall, and he advised a cautious route through Landscove which would facilitate a speedy return if the forecast proved correct. Apparently, however, everyone else had decided that Spitchwick was the place to visit in view of the high level of humidity, and they weren't about to be put off the idea by Michael!

Climbing through Hembury Woods the air felt thick, but as we reached Spitchwick everything became quickly dark. Several members were swimming as the first rumbles of thunder became audible.

Michael wasted no time in ordering a retreat, but of course it was too late. The heavens opened, and a spectacular light display chased us all the way home. We had never been cycling in an electrical storm before, especially one with such frightening forks of lightening, and I feel that many members won't want to do it again!