Was Eliot responsible for the poor turnout? He apparently told a number of people that there was no ride because of the hostel weekend!

In view of the threatening weather we kept the ride short by using Colston Road and returning via Abham - the torrential rain on the return made us grateful for our decision!

After a prolonged period of unsettled weather, a day of absolute loveliness dawned, after numerous prayers to aid probably the Section's most lushly offroad ride in history.

Martin, who was leading his first ride (officially), was pleased to find three other nutters on mountain bikes at the start. After cycling up though the back lanes past Venford reservoir, the bridlepath from Hexworthy to Princetown was 'hammered'. At the ford at the start of the track, Andrew decided to (try to) ride through. The camera waited for the inevitable sudden stop halfway across - the first wet feet of the day!

Supplies of milk suddenly disappeared from the cool cabinet at the shop in Princetown. Bridleways across the open moor were followed, and were great fun, so much so in fact that we went straight past Broad Rock! We continued further into nowhere, to Erme Pits, looking for a lunch spot. Julian either decided he wanted a closer look at the terrain or was desperate to eat something, and flung himself spectacularly over the handlebars, landing on his face. He tangoed to perfection with his toeclip, which had become so fond of his foot that it would not let go. He lay on the ground moaning (as usual) and squealing whilst Peter had to use all his strength to pull the bike free of the corpse. Lunch was eaten by the stream, and we continued to Red Lake. Here we posed at riding up and down the 'big lumpy thingy' which sticks out between the 'lakey-pond jobbies' at the end of the tramway.

We continued towards Huntingdon Warren, where we posed before the unusually large number of people at the bottom of the 1:1 hillside. As we descended to the valley floor Peter took flying lessons before continuing to Cross Furzes, where Martin received a puncture from a nasty rock. We waived bye-bye to Peter and descended the hill to Buckfastleigh.

Ken was showing off his new racer today, although nobody could quite understand his excitement. When Darren's punctures had been fixed we continued to West Ogwell and once again found our way back to Pick and Park for refreshments.

Neil fell off near Burchetts Wood when his chain slipped off the front chainring. He was a bit sore so he decided to head for home while the rest of us continued to Venford. Several members had no lights so we were forced to return at 8.45pm.

Lannacombe is a long way from Totnes so we took the fastest possible route, via Stokenham, and arrived in time for lunch. The beach didn't smell quite as clean as we had expected, so we didn't stay too long today. We returned via Torcross, enjoying refreshments in the café, and managed to reach home by 5.30pm.

Once again several members had no lights, including some who should know better, so the ride had to be shortened to return by 8.40pm. We still managed Colston road and the Staverton riverside track, however.