There seems to be a general consensus within the Section that winter rides should get us home well before dark.  With this in mind we took a short route to the hamlet of Buckland in the South Hams, enjoyed lunch on a convenient grassy verge and then returned by the short main road route.

Only Ken Twydell and Dave Cutts met the Buckfastleigh starters at Bow Cross.  We took a right turn near Broadhempston and followed the attractive Newhouse Barton lane to Ipplepen and (inevitably) Fermoys garden centre, where the usual selection of refreshments were on offer.

Following the long climb from Bovey Tracey to Manaton we diverted along the small track that was responsible for the ride achieving an 'R' status in the runs list.  We didn't find a rock that whooped, but we did find a small cave for lunch that offered excellent views of the surrounding moorland and shelter from the cold breeze.

In order to avoid retracing our steps we continued along the track.  It turned out to be a little rougher than expected, and Bob didn't look too impressed as he was shaken about on his trusty Galaxy.  We concluded a good ride with refreshments at the Wayside cafe, Widecombe, and a stiff climb past Bone Hill to Ashburton.

We followed the lane from Ashburton to Halshanger and Birchanger, and then set about tackling the steep, track descent to the River Lemon.  Everyone managed to reach the bottom, but when John Stuart tried to manoeuvre himself around the slippery, wooden footbridge he quickly found himself on his back, looking up at the sky.

The track climbed steeply on the other side, and it took Eliot a lot of hard pushing to reach the gateway to the open moor.  Some careful map reading eventually brought us through some unspoilt moorland scenery  to the main road near Saddle Tor.  Seb and Ben came out right beside the refreshment van, bought just enough food for themselves and then rejoined the rest of us at the bottom of the hill!

We returned to Buckfastleigh via Cold East Cross and Ashburton.

Having taken the easy B3210 from Avonwick to Ermington we soon found ourselves at the five-land cross-roads near Alston Hall.  The alternatives were simple: a steep climb to the lane route, or a short-cut along a muddy track that followed a stream down to the sea.  One look at the hill prompted everyone to vote for the track.

Some of the earlier sections were still frozen after the overnight frost, but the remainder turned out to be every bit as muddy as Michael remembered it.  All those without mudguards were plastered by the time they reached Membland.  Charlie wasn't particularly amused, but he didn't complain too much (t'old lad). 

Dave Robinson had rung Michael the previous night suggesting that he might bring a Primus for the purpose of brewing tea for the group.  Michael thought this was a good idea and agreed to bring his camping stove with some cans of soup.  Unfortunately, Dave didn't turn up, but the rest of us enjoyed the fruits of his idea, by the water's edge at Bridgend.

We returned through Noss Mayo and the south coast route past Mothecombe.  As we neared South Brent we were greeted with the first and last real snow of the season - enough to cover both the bikes and ourselves before it stopped a few minutes later!

Our reward for calling in at the Copper Kettle cafe at South Brent was a chance meeting with Rob Spence of Torbay Section, apparently drawn to the same honeypot.

Another of our classic romps across Dartmoor went exactly according to plan until we reached the stony track descent to Scorriton.  Michael advised the youngsters not to ride too fast, but of course they did.  Fortunately the only result was that Tom got a blow-out and the rest of us had to wait for fifteen minutes while Seb fixed it for him.

There was Star Trek (inevitably) and Hot Chocolate for those who returned to Crofters.

The ride through Gappah to Haldon was uneventful, and even at the Obelisk the most exciting spectacle was Neil and Michael cooking their soup again - it seems that Dave Robinson has started a trend without even showing us his Primus!

It was on top of Little Haldon that the main event of the day took place.  Seb was showing off again by riding his mountain bike off the road towards the surrounding heathland.  He saw what appeared to be a low grassy bank and decided at once that it would form the ideal resource for a jumping demonstration.  Did he think to check the far side before launching himself over the top?  Of course he didn't.  He just rode at that bank for all he was worth.

We saw him reach the bank.  We heard him squeal.  Then both he and the bike disappeared from view.  There had been a much larger drop on the far side than he had expected, but fortunately the main damage was to his pride.

We looked in at the Texas Homestore cafe in Kingsteignton, but as there was nowhere safe to leave the bikes we pressed on to Fermoys at Ipplepen for drinks and cake before returning home for about 5pm.

Michael had to get home by 12.45 today, but when we reached the destination he became tempted by the track descent into Totnes which he had never yet ridden.  Assurances from the Totnes lads that it was an excellent descent persuaded him to try it.  Regrettably, it turned out to be as much uphill as it was downhill, so he was late home.

From Totnes we rode through Bowden and Tuckenhay to Higher Tideford, where Graham Moates and his friend Claire passed us in their car.  They decided to take the car a little further before unpacking the bikes, but we had completed the descent through the second Bowden and started to eat lunch at the beach before we saw them again.

Michael's soup failed to heat properly today, the stove being adversely affected by the cold wind.  The conditions didn't stop an elderly gentleman from going for a swim at the beach, however, a ritual he has performed daily for many years.  It really was very cold today, so we could only assume that he was totally mad.

We cycled on to Dartmouth after lunch.  The Paignton brigade then crossed the ferry to Kingswear while the rest of us popped in to the Spinning Wheel cafe for toasted teacakes and drinks.  Michael made the mistake of ordering an expensive milkshake after the proprietor assured him it was "large" - it turned out to be less than a quarter of a pint!

The forecast rain finally caught up with us as we rode back towards Totnes, making the return journey somewhat miserable.

Phillip was asked this evening why he hadn't been cycling for the past six months.  "I've been waiting for the evening rides to start up again," he said, "and this year I'm not going to miss a single ride."

Phillip had brought along some of his friends for our first evening ride of the new season, notably Tristan Allen, and Shane and Adrian Teague.  We hadn't ridden far, however, before we had our inaugural crash, caused on this occasion by Neil moving out without first checking that there were no other cyclists behind him.

Our route encompassed the riverside track from Staverton bridge, the quiet village of Landscove, several hills (about which Adrian complained unceasingly) and a series of three slightly muddy tracks that brought us eventually to Pridhamsleigh.  The highlight of the evening came as Adrian descended the final track in near-darkness.  He tried to go fast even though he couldn't see clearly where he was going, hit a rut and found himself falling off the edge of the track into a nest of stinging nettles and brambles!

Harry and his father arrived at Buckfastleigh just as we were leaving, so they drove on to Peartree and met us there.  We were delayed when we noticed an upturned pregnant ewe in a field near Chuley Cross.  Closer inspection revealed that she had been struggling there for a considerable time: she was very pleased to find herself on her feet again and quickly trotted off to join the rest off the flock.

We had arranged to meet Seb at the crossroads near Lake farm "sometime after 2.45pm".  When we arrived it was nearly 3.15 and Seb had just started to wander towards Pulsford.  A posse was sent after him and eventually we rendezvoused near Wotton farm.

With all these delays it was 3.32 before we arrived at West Ogwell.  Our pickup time there should have been 3.15pm, but the newsletter said it was 3pm.  Charlie's Paignton contingent had arrived before 3pm, and at 3.31 they decided not to wait any longer and went off to Fermoys.  The rest of us couldn't have known this of course, so we assumed they hadn't arrived yet and waited until 4.10, passing the time by playing with Michael's new camcorder!

Eventually we gave up and went home.  The problem was that the Section's procedural documents have not been updated or distributed since 1989.  We'll correct this very soon so that such misunderstandings cannot arise again.

This was a perfect evening for Hembury Woods and Dartmoor.  There was nobody else around at Spitchwick so the youngsters rode around on the grassy heath, dipping an occasional wheel into the cool waters of the Dart.  Adrian was determined to be the star of the Section's first video, so he fell off his bike backwards and was rewarded with a round of applause.

The majority were in favour of returning by the same route so that they could descend the Hembury track in the dark.  Michael, who had just cleaned and serviced his bike ready for Monday's Cornish Coast tour, foolishly allowed himself to be persuaded to join the others down the track.  During the descent he found out that he had put his rear brake shoes on the wrong way around: the result was that one of his new, expensive Campag blocks slid out of its shoe and was lost in the woodland debris of the path.  He spent ten minutes trying to find it with the help of a dynamo light before he finally had to admit defeat.

VIDEO CLIPS (5:24) INCLUDED ON OUR 1993 RIDES DVD

The only special thing about today's ride was the weather - specially miserable!  We braved the elements as far as Gidley Bridge and then returned speedily to Crofters for an indoor Easter Special, consisting mainly of computer games and Star Trek videos.

This ride turned into a repeat of the first evening ride, except that we missed out Landscove and it was Chris who fell into the nettles on the track descent to Pridhamsleigh instead of Adrian - his screams of anguish could be heard within a five mile radius!

Seb left home very late this morning but he still managed to get to Bickington, totally out of breath, as we were climbing the hill to Haytor.  The explanation for this unusual state of affairs was that he was looking after the house during his parents' absence, evidently leaving him somewhat disorganised.

The tramway led us behind Haytor, from where we took tracks to Hole rock and down to the footbridge by the Becka Brook.  Some of the adult members of the group didn't seem too impressed with the rocky terrain, but everyone enjoyed lunch by the stream.

After a steep climb to the site of the medieval village of Graetor, Seb introduced us to an easier route around Hound Tor that avoided the final climb.  The Paignton group wanted to get home early so they set off for home while the rest of us queued for refreshments from the ice cream van.

VIDEO CLIPS (2:55) INCLUDED ON OUR 1993 RIDES DVD

Richard Burge led this short ride to the Shipley Bridge area since Michael was occupied at Plymouth's Theatre Royal.

From the Avonwick pick-up we rode along the river Avon to Diptford, descended the track from Curtisknowle and enjoyed lunch in the woods by the riverside.  Tom was most envious of Michael and Neil who proceeded to heat and then eat a large can of Sainsbury soup.

The track back to Gara Bridge turned out to be rather muddy in places.  Charlie took Andy home early while the rest of us pressed on to the goat farm for refreshments, bumping into Rob Spence from Torbay Section along the way.  We got back to Buckfastleigh by 1520 which left Ben just enough time to watch another exciting episode of Star Trek from Michael's comprehensive video library before returning to Totnes.

VIDEO CLIPS (8:02) INCLUDED ON OUR 1993 RIDES DVD

Having spent an hour or so climbing up to the reservoir, we took our usual track across the moor, struggling through the gorse until we found the path to Michelcombe.  It is a steep descent through a secluded valley - a truly delightful ride for those who like a challenge.

Seb, Ben and Tom joined Michael and Neil for this afternoon jaunt to the famous cafe on the moor.  We returned via Hembury Woods where Michael recorded some moving pictures of Seb and Ben descending the twisty track which our members have named the Slalom.

VIDEO CLIPS (1:09) INCLUDED ON OUR 1993 RIDES DVD

This is one ride that we'll never forget.  There is a walkway running along the top of the dam with a shoulder-high wall on either side.  As usual, some of the youngsters walked along to the centre, but Dayle thought he would add variety by taking his bike and riding along the top of the inside wall for a short distance.  Then he had the bright idea of jumping his bike off the wall, dropping down to the walkway.  Everyone strongly advised him against such a foolhardy manoeuvre, but they all stayed to watch just in case he decided to proceed.  The thought of an audience was just too much for Dayle - the original showman - so he attempted the stunt.  A loud explosion accompanied the bursting of a tyre and tube; closer inspection revealed the front wheel was a write-off.  He had no choice but to push all the way back across the moor to Cross Furzes.

Julian had raced back to get his car for the final leg of the journey: he was driving up the road as the rest of us were riding down to Buckfastleigh.  We tried to stop him to invite Dayle, Martin and himself back to Crofters for a drink, but he just swerved madly round us and sped off into the distance.  Presumably Dayle never got the invite, and probably thought us most unfriendly!

We couldn't work out why Dave Robinson wasn't out today, given the opportunity to visit the Primrose cafe and see how the new owners were looking after it's reputation.  We quickly established an acceptable discount structure for our group.  The cakes weren't quite as good as they used to be, but overall the establishment seemed acceptable.

Having descended the steep, rough track to the river Bovey, Tom produced his own tin of soup and waited patiently until Michael and Neil had finished with the gas stove.  Unfortunately he had forgotten to bring a spoon, so he improvised a stirring rod by rolling up some tin foil.

The very steep climb through Houndtor Wood is never popular, although the woodland tracks to Becky Falls provide suitable compensation.  We returned via Hound Tor and Cold East Cross.

VIDEO CLIPS (15:51) INCLUDED ON OUR 1993 RIDES DVD

Our special dispensation from the management of River Dart Country Park is still effective, so we rode through the grounds, stopping momentarily to try out the new tubular slide adjacent to the Anaconda Run.  Return was via Holne.

There was little enthusiasm for a ride in today's appalling weather, so the ride was abandoned. 

Once again the ride was abandoned, although today Michael offered an alternative Computer Games social at Crofters.  At least the reservoirs should be well filled for the summer!

The Rough Stuff event is a rough riding competition organised for the benefit of all CTC groups in Devon.  The start this year was near Landscove, and the weather seemed set for a perfect day despite the forecast of rain.

The only problem (for some of us, anyway) was that many weeks of rain had left most of the tracks in the area extremely muddy.  The route was acceptable until we reached the track from Baddaford Farm to Lower Combe.  Half way along we discovered a huge sea of mud that stretched from one side of the lane to the other and was more than twenty paces long.  We carefully picked our way through, but Peter quickly became stuck.  Michael had to struggle past him with his own bike, then come back and take Peter's bike.  By this time he was a little muddier than usual, but still Peter was stuck.  He had to return again to lift Peter out of the mud, but even that was not the end of the matter - his shoes steadfastly refused to come with him!  A further journey had to be made to recover the shoes, by which time Peter, Michael and the shoes were plastered in thick, gooey mud.

Congratulations to Gavin Taylor, who was judged first junior rider.  Thanks to Arthur Browne of Exeter for organising the event, and his wife for bringing along drinks and home-made buns.

VIDEO CLIPS (3:39) INCLUDED ON OUR 1993 RIDES DVD

The weather was perfect for this easy ride along Colston road to Staverton Bridge.  The temptation of the riverside track to the village was, as usual, irresistible.

Further unsettled weather forced cancellation of our classic moorland track ride.

Peter was struggling as we climbed through Hembury Woods, but the track descent to Holne Bridge was more  enjoyable for him, despite the very muddy sections at the bottom.  Julian and Richard, it seemed, made the right decision to take the road alternative on this occasion.