Five started out from Buckfastleigh but by the time we reached Shipley Bridge we were seven: Ash had been late and had picked up Will on the way in his car. Just for once the presence of a support car was helpful as George needed a boost to get up the hills.

Once ice-creams had been consumed and Ash had demonstrated some of his flips we headed up the riverside access road, pausing at a popular picnic spot so that George could wade across to an inviting-looking rock. Unfortunately the rock slabs under the water were green and very slippery, so he didn't even make it to the first staging rock before getting a thorough wetting. Fortunatley Jack had a spare pair of shorts to lend him.

We had a chocolate break on the grassy bank overlooking the dam, then set off along the moorland path towards the Abbots Way bridleway. One or two patches were a bit boggy after the recent rains, but everyone got through eventually. A short climb brought us to some spectacular views across South Devon, then the real fun began with the moorland descent to Cross Furzes.

Ash always loves this ride, but today he somehow managed to cut his left shin on a pedal. He wanted to get it sorted at the hospital so sped off as fast as he could go to reach the car in Buckfastleigh. Unfortunately he then got a blow-out on some rough rocks, so cycling was now out of the question. He walked up to Cross Furzes and got a lift from there with a relative while the rest of us returned to Buckfastleigh for a games social after what had turned out to be a very enjoyable and eventful ride.

The forecast showers were absent at the start of the ride so we set off up Green Lane with a view to calling in to the Hillside garden centre café if conditions deteriorated. As we neared Landscove Callum was feeling a little ill so we called in to the café first and enjoyed excellent cakes while the sun shone outside!

We were heading in the Staverton direction when Michael noticed an interesting footpath heading off to the left. The others agreed it looked fun so we set off on a bit of an adventure to see where it went. The woodland offered some shelter from our first shower of the morning, then after passing a footpath sign located right in the centre of a field and negotiating some nettles on an overgrown section we finally came out on the lane near Sparkwell.

Everyone had enjoyed that, so when we found another track to explore just around the next corner everyone was up for it. Some large puddles in the lower reaches provided a few challenges, then on the climb while taking shelter from a heavy shower under an ancient tree we noticed the hedgerow was riddled with animal burrows of all sizes.

When we finally emerged near Kingston Callum had a puncture, but now the sun was out so fixing it was no great hardship. We soon found our bearings, descended to Staverton and then returned via Hole Farm and Caddaford.