Ride Reports
Denham Bridge and Plym Valley
Lashed by headwind and rain across the moor, we pressed on to Denham Bridge, where a stark ‘40 feet deep’ sign matched the menacing swirl below. With the rain clearing, a tailwind sped us home—though not before a puzzlingly dim tunnel was cured by removing sunglasses.
Didworthy via the rough track
An otherwise familiar Avon Dam ride gained a pleasant variation: a short, rough drop to Didworthy before returning to the usual Abbots Way line to Cross Furzes. Gidley Bridge and Bloody Pool gave the day its moorland flavour.
Indoor games at Southpark Centre
A fitting finale to the social season: an indoor games night of cards, pool, table tennis and computer games. It began with a comic hitch when Michael forgot the table‑tennis kit and had to dash home, after which the evening ran smoothly in relaxed South Dartmoor style.
Whooping Rock and Jay’s Grave
On a sunny ride to Whooping Rock the mood shifted when a teenage sprint ended with Roger Johnson sliding off on gravel and needing hospital treatment, prompting a firm reminder to put safety first. Before that, the Primrose café in Lustleigh surprised some with a half‑price menu.
Dorset and the New Forest tour 1991 5
Ridgeways, forests and a blustery coast shaped the tour, part quiet lanes, part rough track. We picked our way round puddled ruts on the Ox Drove before looking down from our bikes at a hot‑air balloon hedge‑hopping in the valley. Later the wind ruled, bowling Julian over above Durdle Door, while a ferry ticket mix‑up at Sandbanks and a few stray bolts kept the improvisation going.
Easter special to Venford
On a sunny Easter afternoon we avoided the tourist crush, choosing rough tracks and fire‑scarred moorland over cafés. Eliot fell into the Burchetts Wood ford, then dried out on the way to Venford, where Michael’s Chocolate Orange sweetened the day.
Easter eggs at Stoke Gabriel weir
An Easter Special meandered via the Westerland Valley to view Galmpton’s creek. A lively rough-stuff dash saw Gary lead the trackies so fast they almost beat the road group back—after Ken had sailed past their junction—and Julie crowned it by handing out Easter eggs.
South and Mid Wales Easter 1991 8
Storm‑lashed hills turned this Wales tour into a test of nerve and humour. At Llyn Brianne sixteen riders huddled round a lavatory hand‑dryer as gale‑force rain battered the dam. One day’s progress came by van, yet spirits rose at Ystradfellte’s roaring falls, and supper ended in laughter when a would‑be chef singed his eyebrows on the gas grill.
Holne via Hembury and Scoriton
On the first evening ride of the season we chased the fading light, went through Buckfast to tackle the Hembury Woods track—running like a stream—then took a devious line through Holne to a steep drop into Scoriton, getting back on the roads in time for 8.30pm.
Combe Fishacre to Pick 'n' Park
Rain greeted us at Combe Fishacre, sending the group under the railway bridge before a tactical retreat to the Pick ’n’ Park café. When the skies cleared we looped home via Denbury. Postscript: we later learned Martin had waited at Fishacre Barton by mistake.
Broadhempston detour via Landscove
An excellent turnout rode out via Red Post to Broadhempston, but Ken’s timing miscalculation took us further from home and the pace ebbed, so we crept back after 10pm. Earlier, Rob turned back with a loose carrier bolt—missing Ken en route with a spare.
Towards Totnes from Buckfastleigh
A dry but cold evening ride, made memorable by welcoming back Catherine Hopper and Nathan Arecco. Otherwise a simple local spin at an easy, sociable pace.