Richard Goss had hoped to attend this weekend at the last minute, but unfortunately it was not possible to arrange for him to join us at such short notice. Michael was in the support car again as we collected Budgie from the Budgie Box at Caton and Eliot and Tao at the Gappah pick-up. After a climb over Haldon Hill and the fabulous descent to Starcross we met up with the last member of our group, John, brining number to 10.

The ferry crossing was fun on the small ferry boat. Ashley's bike would not fit on, so Michael took it in the car and drove around Exeter, meeting everyone on Exmouth beach. The youngsters seemed more interested in buying things from the beach kiosk than sitting on the beach to eat their lunch.

We followed the lanes through Budleigh Salterton and then took the road/track to Otterton. Unfortunately the road was marked as closed to motor vehicles, so Michael had to take the long route again.

There was a bit of a climb to the top of the hill overlooking Sidmouth but the effort was rewarded with some fabulous views of the town and coast. Ashley, however, rode straight past the viewpoint without stopping, so evidently the view wasn't of interest to him. After a great descent everyone settled into the busy Mocha café on the seafront, with several ordering the famous, tasty but extremely expensive Knickerbocker Glories. Michael did have a problem finding a parking space though, and ended up having to walk a fair way to the café.

Fun was had at the ford in Sidmouth, then the steep climb to the observatory was not quite so much fun. Philip decided there was not much point having a support car if it didn't offer support when you needed it, so he transferred to the car for the climb. The ride to the hostel then proceeded with the descent to the pretty village of Branscombe, the climb at the other end and the descent to Beer.

When we arrived there was a problem with the booking: someone at the hostel had moved us to Sunday night! Fortunately there were enough spare beds at the hostel anyway so we set about having showers. John paid for the hostel meal but the rest of us were self-catering.

For evening activities we walked from the hostel down through the avenue of trees to the village and beach, playing with the Frisbees and tennis ball along the way. Eliot very cleverly managed to lose two Frisbees that landed in a roadside stream and disappeared into a very long drain that continued under the road. The other youngsters, playing tag around the trees, were all highly amused.

After walking some of the coast path towards Seaton we had more problems on Beer beach when Keir managed to lose the tennis ball, our last plaything. Eliot did buy Michael a new Frisbee, although it was not as good as the Aerobies that had been lost.

We would have rounded off the evening with a ghost story, but as some were unable to calm down we abandoned the idea and just settled for a good night's sleep.

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

[MJ in car. 9.30 departure from BFL. Richard Goss hoped to go, but could not be arranged at such short notice. Budgy at Budgy box, Eliot and Tao at Gappah, good descent to Starcross, where John was waiting. Now full complement of 10. Ferry crossing fun, MJ took Ashley’s bike and drove around Exeter, lunch on Exmouth beach although kids went up to shop so MJ ate alone. On through lanes to Budleigh Salterton, on through Otterton, lane closed so MJ around again, climb to Sidmouth, Ashley went straight past the viewpoint, obviously didn’t interest him! Cafe stop in the Mocha cafe, MJ problem parking, several ordered the extremely expensive KBGs, fun at the ford, then long climb past the observatory, Phillip now in the car! Descent to Branscombe, then steep climb again and final descent to Beer. Problem with booking, had moved us to Sunday, but enough space anyway so OK. Showers, John had the evening meal provided, rest self-catering, frisbee throwing, walk to coast, Eliot lost 2 frisbees in drain, played IT around the trees, lost tennis ball on the beach (Keir), Eliot bought MJ new frisbee, good night for MJ at least, although some in a silly mood so no ghost story.]

Some members of our group needed encouragement to complete their hostel chores this morning, but when we finally got away we climbed the hill to the main road and rode at high speed to Sidmouth where we bought lunch. We continued on to Newton Poppleford and then forked left for Woodbury Common. Today Tao led the cyclists up the track short-cut from Hawkerland: he didn't come out where Michael was waiting but still found his way to the car.

We had lunch in the car park before Tao led the cyclists along another track to the fort: once again he didn't come out where Michael was waiting. We had great fun riding around the fort, although Paul managed to damage his wheel while doing a jump which put his bike out of action. Philip was ready for the support car again however, so Paul rode Philip's bike for the rest of the day.

The ride down to Topsham was easy, as was the canal path to Alphington. The long climb over Haldon however through Shillingford St George began to take its toll from some who needed some helpful lifts in the car. It was all change at the top when Keir's freewheel broke, so Keir moved into the support car with Philip and everyone else had to cycle again.

We called in at the mill café at Chudleigh for very welcome refreshments before heading home through Bickington, concluding what had generally been a good weekend.

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

[Sunday, not too early a start as MJ had to chase up the job completion, climb to main road, sped along to Sidmouth where bought lunch, then on through Newton Pop, left and along lanes to Woodbury Common via a track, Tao missed MJ at the top but still reached the car OK. Lunch in car park, anotther track to the fort, again missed MJ, Phil in car again, Paul did a jump and damaged his wheel, so he rode Philips bike, descent through to Topsham, canal route to Alphington, back over Haldon, some needed a lift in the car! Keir freewheel problems, so he had a lift instead from the top. Chudleigh cafe, then back thorugh Bickington. Not a bad weekend.]

Climbing Wallaford Road all the way to Cross Furzes was ambitious for these youngsters, but by tackling it in several short stages everyone reached the top in a very reasonable time.

It was misty here on the high ground as we rode past Hayford Hall and along the stony track to Lud Gate. Michael was leading by car again while his cough recovered, so he had to park in the lane and walk with group onto the open moor. The mist was now so thick that it was hard to see more than a few metres ahead. Everyone enjoyed the downhill track to Chalk Ford, except perhaps Craig who came off near the top. We crossed the boggy section with only a little difficulty and finally arrived at the ford.

Michael saw everyone over the footbridge and onto the path before walking back up the hill to the car and meeting them at Scorriton - surprisingly we all arrived at about the same time. Craig had suffered a blow-out on the stony descent, so Michael took him home in the car.

There was a lot of enthusiasm for the junior rides, but as many were away over the summer we agreed the next ride would be in five weeks.

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

[MJ in car. Climb Wallaford road in short hops, all did exceptionally well. Misty at the top of the hill, rode past Hayford, along stony track, through Lud Gate, MJ parked car in lane and walked. Hard to see now. Descent of hill, Craig came off near the top, crossed the boggy bit, over bridge, MJ walk back to car, all arrived at Scorriton at the same time, Craig had a blow-out, MJ carried back in the car. Home 8.45. Next ride 5 weeks.]

The Avon Dam is one of our most popular destinations, especially on warm summer evenings like today. We rode up through Dean Prior and Shipley Bridge, then returned along the Abbots Way to Cross Furzes and home - another perfect evening ride.

[This report never previously published - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

Haytor was the first tor of the day after the climb from the Bickington pick-up. Budgie wanted to climb to the top like everyone else, but sadly his SPD cycling shoes just wouldn't give him any grip, so no certificate for him!

Top Tor and Pill Tor were next - the younger riders climbed up every little rock they could see to try to earn extra points. Bone Hill made a very pleasant lunch stop and fourth tor, then we set about the walk to Bell Tor, Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor. It was on this walk that Eliot got Philip very wet indeed. We also saw a number of par gliders surfing the air currents and a number of feathers strewn around.

After the descent to Widecombe we were highly amused to find a group of folk dancers on the Green, entertaining the tourists. We stopped at the post office shop for refreshments and then climbed Southcombe Hill to visit our eighth tor, Wind Tor.

What happened next was one of the most unfortunate incidents in the history of our club. Paul was racing ahead of the group around the bend at the top of the Shallowford hill. As he rounded the corner he came across a slow-moving car heading towards him. The car stopped but sadly Paul could not: he clipped the corner of the car and sustained a nasty injury to his shin.

Michael rode down to Shallowford to call the emergency services and within minutes the air ambulance arrived to take Paul to Derriford hospital at Plymouth. We were all a little shocked by events and didn't much feel like completing the last two tors. As we rode home I think everyone realised that the safe riding instructions given out by Michael and the Safety Team in recent weeks were actually critically important for everyone's safety on the rides.

(Paul was unable to take part in club rides for several weeks but he made a full recovery thanks to the efforts of the emergency staff. Apparently he had always wanted to fly in a helicopter, but lying flat on his back in the underbelly of the helicopter meant he didn't really get to enjoy it at all.)

[This report never previously published - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

Michael was away in Norway so Richard and Neil led the ride today. We rode along Colston Road then took the cycle track to Totnes - the tide was in so we couldn't do the whole track. Once in Totnes we took a short section along the main Newton road and then turned off for Littlehempston. We pressed onward through Landscove and Broadhempston and then used various back roads to arrive at Ashburton via Whistley Hill. We returned to Buckfastleigh via Pridhamsleigh.