After struggling up to the moor via Holne and a track we made our first stop at Hangman’s Pit to collect the (very soggy) letterbox there. Combestone Tor yielded a second box, put there by Peter only a few days earlier. During the search Peter dropped £1.50 in coins and a mad scramble ensued to find the missing ‘treasures’.

A vague search along O Brook came up with another box, and then continuing to Hexworthy we collected the box on the Forest Inn. (For those who haven’t guessed yet, this was a letterbox ride).

Lunch by the river at Huccaby Bridge was followed by a swoop down into Dartmeet where ice-creams were consumed under the hot sun. The ascent of Dartmeet Hill saw the group divide, some taking the road and the rest of us taking one of Michael’s scenic short-cuts up to Bel Tor Corner, passing the Coffin Stone on the way.

After collecting boxes at Simons Lake (bog, marsh, mire or some other suitably wet description) and Sharp Tor, and finding that Lucky Tor was inaccessible, we headed for home via Leusdon, Spitchwick and Hembury Woods.

If Luke thought he was going to get away with a re-greased bottom bracket and clean hands he was in for a shock: the gooey black stuff that must once have been grease required the persuasion of small fingers and a cloth before it would leave the bike, and Luke's fingers seemed just the right size!

When everyone had gathered at the Bickington pickup there were around nineteen cyclists milling around in their colourful garments. There was some confusion at Ilsington for those unaware of the Presland coffee service, but the group was soon reunited for the ride along the granite tramway.

This railway, the earliest in Devon, was constructed in 1820 from granite sets laid lengthwise and cut with a flange. Its function was to carry granite from the Haytor quarries to the Stover canal. Records suggest that a train of twelve adapted road wagons were pulled by eighteen stalwart horses during the railway’s fifty or so years of operation.

One of the above-mentioned quarries, whilst providing suitable amusement for the lunch stop, afforded little protection from the chill wind. There were few regrets therefore when the leaders set off across the open moor towards Smallacombe Rocks and Becka Brook. A water fight, some letterboxes and the remains of Graetor village provided some opportunity for rest during the arduous climb to Hound Tor, although the scenery was so delightful that one hardly needed an excuse to stop.

At this point a decision was made to have tea at Widecombe. Someone (Kevin I think) suggested that the track from Jay’s Grave to Natsworthy would make an interesting route, being downhill all the way and reasonably scenic. The advice was accepted, and for the next forty minutes efforts were directed at traversing a number of regularly spaced boggy strips that looked as though they were specially watered at weekly intervals to keep cyclists away.

By the time Matthew’s chain had been freed from his chainwheel and the mountain bike trials had been completed at Natsworthy the afternoon was far from young. Tea at Widecombe was not therefore an extended affair, and Torbay and Dart Valley groups separated at Cold East Cross.

This was definitely ‘one of those rides’. The day got off to a good start with a good turnout at Totnes, but things began to go wrong after lunch. We were at Chillington, and everyone voted to continue to the destination rather than divert back to Slapton.

Well, Luke took us along a path to Ellender Cove where everyone amused themselves for a considerable time by exploring caves and playing ‘chicken’. We got back to Torcross by 3.30, stopping only long enough to refuel before setting off once more for Strete.

It was here that Philip got his first puncture. Colin took the other Torbay youngsters on to Totnes as some were without lights. Meanwhile the puncture had been repaired and the tube had gone down again. This unhappy occurrence repeated itself again before the ride was done, and a few shame-faced individuals arrived home at 7.40, tired and hungry, expecting supper to be still available.

Most of the evening was spent contentedly roasting chestnuts on a log fire thanks to the efforts of Andrew, Luke and Michael that morning in collecting them. A spooky-looking pumpkin watched the proceedings from the relative safety of the piano lid.

Mark Stott and Kevin cycled from Torbay and Plymouth respectively to join our ride across the moor. After climbing Wallaford hill (which was pretty aweful) we cycled along the stony track to Lud Gate. Peter Willard chickened out halfway through the ride but the rest of us carried on.

The boys will insist on having their little joke: this time a couple of us got wet after being assured that a ford was shallower than it really was. Andrew and Luke looked for their 101st letterbox but did not find it before the rain set in. All in all this was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Maypool hostel was warm and welcoming for the DA bonfire night. There was strong representation from Torbay, North Devon, Dart Valley, Dawlish and Plymouth groups making the evening one of the best DA meet-ups we have had for some time. The youngsters certainly seemed to enjoy themselves running around the balconies and stairs of the hostel. Di and Suzie just joined in for the evening.

Sunday’s mystery ride began (for the weekenders) with a tour of the Paignton coastline, shortly followed by coffee at Colin’s house: quite how everyone managed to squeeze into one room I shall never know. The group then made their way somewhat tortuously towards Gappah.

Meanwhile the day riders (John, Mark Hunt, Kevin and Richard) set out from Buckfastleigh. As they weren’t meeting the hostellers until midday they decided to take a circuitous route to Gappah via Bickington and Denbury. A puncture incurred by Richard proved difficult to repair and we didn’t reach Gappah until 12.45 – to find only an advance party of three awaiting us!

The rest finally arrived at about 1.30 and by the time lunches had been consumed and repairs effected it was 2.30 before we set off again. A few decided to go on ahead to Laurence Castle while the rest of us settled on a more leisurely (except for the hailstorm) ride via Exeter Forest and Chudleigh. New boy Richard parted company with his bike on a rather sharp bend, shedding bits with gay abandon.

We bid farewell to Torbay at Chudleigh Knighton and returned home via Bickington and the A38 (ugh!). Person of the Ride award went to Richard ‘Wrecker’ Burge for services to the cycle repair industry.

The first Summerlands social (the Simmons house) was a great success, with everyone learning (or re-learning) some aspect of the Highway Code. There was also a chance to watch the previous week's episode of Tripods, mainly for the benefit of those who attended the hostel weekend.

The day was ideal for cycling – clear blue skies and a warming sun. However the Dart Valley group decided against taking advantage of the favourable conditions, travelling instead by car – not any old car mind you, but Michael’s newly-acquired Volvo 345DL, generously purchase for use by the club on days when inclement weather makes cycling a less than inviting prospect.

The wondrous vehicle whisked us luxuriously to the northern wastelands via the Primrose café at Lustleigh. Here John was unfortunately unable to sample the much-vaunted cakes as he had consumed an excessively large breakfast not long previously.

The meeting will doubtless be reported elsewhere, so suffice it to mention that the major item affecting us was the approval of our application to become an official Section, henceforth to be known as the South Dartmoor Section. Following a splendid tea (many thanks to all concerned) we headed home in sumptuous luxury, arriving with plenty of time to spare before the penultimate episode of Howard’s Way. (Did you see it Kevin?)