This weekend got off to a good start despite BR's inability to arrange transport to Plymouth. Twelve cycled from the three starting points, met at the Avonwick pick-up and then continued to Plympton along the fast A38. There was then time to explore the section of the Plym Valley cycle path that leads into Plymouth's Laira Bridge - it certainly turned out to be the quietest, safest and most scenic route into Plymouth as far as the cyclist is concerned! The remaining five members arranged car transé port to Plymouth and met us at the station at midday, exactly as planned.

In bright sunshine we took the ferry to Torpoint, climbed the hill to Antony and pushed onwards to Portwrinkle before stopping for lunch. At last we had reached the south Cornish coast, today looking at its magnificent best.

The steep climb out of Portwrinkle was the price we had to pay for lunch by the sea, but the next descent into delightful Downderry more than made up for it. There were just a few minutes to spare at Seaton to buy ice-creams and watch the children paddling their canoes along the river before we had to tackle the next major climb - which got rather hot and humid towards the top.

Descending again along the track beyond the monkey sanctuary we arrived eventually at Millendreath to find a particularly inviting sandy beach. There may have been lots of tourists their, but that wasn't going to stop Nonie, Craig, Mark and Warren from going for a swim. The weather was simply too hot to miss this opportunity for physical refreshment.

The steps to Looe caused some amusement (if that is the right word), but eventually we found our way through the narrow streets to one of West Looe's cafes. It was here that a number of people sampled the strawberry flan: it must be said that the quality and flavour of this delicacy was unrivalled, even by the Primrose cafe!

It was now past 5pm, and we still had a fair distance to ride. First came the next steep hill out of Looe, and then came Philip's spectacular blowout, just when we didn't need it. A speedy repair brought us to the Bodinnick ferry by 6.45 and eventually to the hostel by 7.30, where supper was waiting on the table for those who had ordered it.

Golant is a huge hostel set in quiet and magnificent grounds, with views over the river Fowey. It afforded plenty of opportunity for football and frisbee throwing, and even boasted its own woodland for those who fancied a walk. Those who chose the latter option ended up scrambling down a 4-metre bank to the railway line by the river in their efforts to make a circular route back to the hostel!

Sadly the peace in one of our dormitories was shattered at 11.15 by a group of thoughtless louts from London who called themselves students. The noise continued well past the 11.30 'lights out' time despite many appeals to consider our younger members who needed the sleep. I registered my complaints to the warden next morning, but it seems that YHA's policy of dropping restrictions will mean that this is likely to happen more and more at the larger hostels in peak season.