New rider Alex kept up an excellent pace along Colston Road and thoroughly enjoyed the Totnes cycle path.  As we paused briefly by the weir, a canoe drifted towards us manned by a father and daughter team.  They laughed at our suggestion of continuing up the weir but the daughter insisted on getting a taste of the rapids by moving over to the lower edge of the weir.  The strong current caught the front of the canoe first, and within a few seconds they were both in the water.  The embarrassed father shouted back to us that this was not the way to do it as the unimpressed daughter struggled to the bank and the magnificent heron observed it all from it's vantage point on the nearby fence!

We met Dave Robinson at Totnes, out on his first ride for many years, who had arrived early and had been waiting for us for more than an hour.  He had to wait a little longer while Ben, Alex and Michael raided Morrisons for lunch, then we set off for the start of the Ashprington track.

This track was recently converted to a cycle path, so the long muddy stretches and steep inclines are now a thing of the past.  Autumn leaves were everywhere and we all enjoyed the fabulous views of the Dart and the long descents through the fields.  Emerging at Ashprington we detoured through the playpark and then headed down the hill to our usual lunch spot by the stepping stones at Tuckenhay creek.  We were impressed by the numerous ducks before three noisy but magnificent geese dropped in to join in the fun.

We'd come to see Tuckenhay, so we did a quick ride along the creek to the village and then retraced our steps for the Harbertonford road, a flat valley route that seemed much more inviting than the climb up Corkscrew hill!  The village store at Harbertonford was much larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside, with several layers of hidden depths around every corner.  Once refreshments had been enjoyed by the river we said goodbye to David and headed off for Diptford, passing Kevin and some of his Torbay Section cohorts along the way.

It was about now that Michael expected Alex to be showing signs of tiredness, but the ten-year-old impressed us all by finding new reserves of energy and powering up the long climb from Rolster Bridge.  He continued at that speed all the way home via Rattery, deterimined not to walk any of the hills.  So it was that we got back to Buckfastleigh by 4pm, with plenty of time for computer games to round off an excellent day.

Our first weekend trip of 2006 should have had six participants, but Ryan was ill, Joe was doing ten tors practice and Matthew, well, he was just too busy in the end.  So just three of us set off by car from Buckfastleigh on a warm and sunny Saturday morning.

This was Glen's first weekend trip, so we didn't want to do more than 20 miles of cycling each day.  We took the Torpoint ferry to Saltash, then leaving the car near Downderry we rode along the coast road to the beach at Seaton and then on up the long climb to Murrayton.  Glen and Tao were both interested in the Monkey Sanctuary, but as usual it was closed on Saturdays, so Glen couldn't even say hello to the inhabitants!

We continued down a steep track to the beach at Milendreath, then Michael had to give Glen some help carrying his bike up what seemed like a hundred steps - a short-cut to Looe.  Scenic views from the final stretch of coast path brought us quickly to the busy fishing village of Looe, where we bought lunch from one of the many Cornish Pasty shops and enjoyed it on a seat overlooking the harbour.  Unfortunately the tide was out, making everything look rather messy, but a few minutes later Glen had the same problem when one of the many seagulls targeted his left shoulder!

When we had checked out the local joke shop and Glen had bought himself a £1 pellet gun we set about the steep climb out of Looe.  Tao did the map-reading for the next section, taking us through some fairly quiet and mainly flat roads to Bodinnick on the river Fowey.  As we descended to the ferry we could see the gigantic china clay loading terminal, used to transfer china clay onto large boats.

We expected to be charged nearly £2 each for the short 2-minute crossing, but in the end the ferryman didn't charge us for the bikes at all.  Arriving on the other side with plenty of time to spare we decided to explore the picturesque village of Fowey and purchased some refreshments to prepare us for the final climb to the hostel.

Glen led us down the final track descent to the hostel, a large country mansion set in its own private grounds overlooking the river Fowey.  We were greeted at reception by an Australian with very large holes in his ears who told us of the YHA's plans to sell 35 hostels over two years.  When we asked whether YHA was in some financial difficulty he thought a sarcastic reply was most appropriate, so we made our way to our top floor dormitory and set about the business of showering.  One of the showers was closed "for health and safety reasons" - the large notice on the door explained that the cold water supply to the shower cuts off randomly, leaving the occupant showered with boiling water!

An interesting New Zealand family kept us company in the members' kitchen, having emigrated from the UK several years ago.  They watched with interest as Glen prepared his can of meatballs, but in the end he decided that Michael's vegetarian opinion of them was probably correct and moved on to his second course of packet rice.  Once the dishes were washed and the kitchen was tidy we spent some time playing pool in the games room and running around the garden in the dark, exploring the wigwam and woodlands at the far end.  And of course, Glen wasn't scared at all!

Next morning we were expecting rain and had planned a provisional route that included a cheap train journey from Par back to Looe.  Instead, sunshine and blue skies greeted us, and it was still dry when we had finished our breakfast with our New Zealand friends.  They were travelling by car to Salisbury and wanted an interesting stop off point along the way, so we suggested the steam trains at Buckfastleigh which seemed to be exactly what they were looking for.

Our new plans for the day involved riding back to Looe and calling in to the Monkey Sanctuary, but this time we would ride close to the coast and call in at the quaint fishing village of Polperro.  The ride was a little hillier than Glen had expected, so he was glad to reach the village.  Once again the tide was out, but we stopped to admire the view and eat some refreshments before heading out along the coast path.

Once again the views were excellent, and we all enjoyed the ups and downs that the path offered us.  Sadly Glen didn't see the Basking Shark he was looking for, but with cloud cover increasing and the occasional light shower dampening our spirits, perhaps it wasn't quite the weather for basking!

The hill from Talland Bay was challenging to say the least, and we were all grateful to reach the top and the familiar Looe road that we had climbed the previous day.  Michael was overruled regarding ice creams at the local cafe, so we bought lunch again in the old East Looe and enjoyed it on the same seat as before, Glen taking care to watch the seagulls this time!  He finished his lunch before Tao and Michael, and helped some local boys catch crabs from the harbourside.

We retraced our previous day's journey along the coast path and up the steep climb to the Monkey Sanctuary, arriving with just 55 minutes left to look around the many enormous cages at the selection of wooley monkeys.  The wooley monkeys were originally unwanted pets, and the sanctuary always planned to release them back to South America.  We were sad to learn that the plans proved impossible ti implement, as the monkeys kept looking for food on the ground, so they took the decision to stop breeding and let the colony die out.  Ollie, the last baby born at the sanctuary, was now half grown but still having a lot of fun.

But the sanctuary won't be closing: they are now taking on unwanted Capuchin monkeys, the favourite monkey pet of the moment, and they certainly seem to be a lot of fun to watch!

With the time now at 4.30 we sped back through Seaton and Downderry to the car and headed for home, only to be delayed 45 minutes at the Torpoint ferry which had mysteriously stopped working for no apparent reason!

We took Colston road to Dartington, at which point Dennis noticed that there were two steam trains in the valley on the Buckfastleigh side of Staverton station.  Now Michael knew the line was single track all the way to Totnes, so after riding the cyclepath through the Cider Press Centre towards Totnes we called in to Totnes Riverside station to find out more.  This was the last day of the summer timetable, and there was a packed steam train on the platform waiting for the whistle.  Dennis loves trains, so we had a good look around and waited for the train to go before talking the guard.  Apparently the single track nature of the line, which means one train has to return to Buckfastleigh before the next can leave, had been limiting their timetables too much, and two years ago they got prisoners from Exeter to help construct a piece of parallel track known as the Staverton Loop.  This explained the presence of two trains near Staverton, and also explained how the next train was due into Totnes in under 30 minutes!

When Morrisons cafe had provided us with suitably priced refreshments we set off for the return journey, again along the riverside path, pausing at Dartington to watch an outdoor entertainer who was captivating an audience of children ..  and Dennis .. with his juggling and unicycle antics.  We continued via Staverton station, hoping to see the new section of track, but sadly it was hidden from view from all the nearby roads.

Soon we were riding through the continental bustle of the quayside area of Exeter with it's interesting shops and boats, but we pressed on to our chosen lunch destination - Pizza Hut at Exe Bridge.  Perhaps we chose it because of the unlimited refills of ice-cold 7-Up, or perhaps simply because we knew Joe had wanted to do this ride for the last 12 months and we wanted to make him really envious that he missed it!  Either way, we enjoyed an excellent meal in the cool restaurant and then enjoyed half an hour relaxing in the shade of a tree by the nearby canal.

Eventually we set off for home, trying Tao's suggestion of Longdown rather than our usual route through Underdown.  It proved a good choice: the drag to the top of Longdown wasn't brilliant, but it was easier than Underdown, and once at the top the ride was pretty much all downhill right through the Teign Valley to Chudleigh Knighton!  We certainly kept up an impressive speed.

We rode past the various refreshments on offer at Paignton sea front, continued to the harbour area and then took the cliff path through the golf course, an area neither of us had explored before.  Tao, who seemed to be unusually keen to avoid upsetting pedestrians, pushed along the wide promenade to Goodrington, only to be overtaken moments later by a policeman riding a police bicycle!  He decided at that point that perhaps it was ok to cycle after all!

On a perfect summer's evening we climbed the long hill from Buckfast to Cross Furzes and then rode the long stony track to Lud Gate, the gateway to the open moor.  The views were fantastic in the setting sunshine and we were almost loathe to descend the long downhill path to Chalk Ford.

There were no deer visible in the deer park as we rode alongside the fence towards Scoriton, so we parked the bikes and walked a little way along the path to Scoriton Down, which runs right through the park.  It wasn't long before we were rewarded with the sight of a fine pair of stags that watched our every move with very little fear.  The rest of the herd soon became visible in the adjacent paddock, so we felt the excursion had been well worthwhile.

It was a long way back to the road with a lot of climbing, and we were all looking forward to the Badgers Holt cafe.  After much thought we decided to remove our shoes and socks and take the plunge so to speak!  Michael made several trips to carry all the bikes, but Jack, being a cadet, thought he could carry his own.  Unfortunately one of the submerged stones was a little greener and more slippery than he had thought, and when everyone looked around to see what had caused the squeal they saw Jack submerged up to his waist!  Michael took his bike for him so that he could pick his way across to the far bank and change into some drier clothes. 

The cafe at Badgers Holt provided us with two large plates of very tasty chips and some drinks.  We weren't too impressed that they tried to charge 25p to refill Dennis' water bottle - they maintained that they don't have mains water there, so they cannot provide water free as the law demands!

The climb up corkscrew hill was challenging to the say the least, but Jack was still powering up the hills all the way to the Dartmouth road.  The ride back across the rolling South Hams hills was fast and enjoyable, but just after Diptford Jack learned that it's best to ride slowly when the lane if covered with freshly-deposited cow droppings - especially when you don't have mudguards!

Nine-year-old Glen proved just how capable and enthusiastic he is by transferring to Fridays for his second ride with us and performing as well as everyone else!   The fun started with a ride through Birchett's Wood, which turned out to be just as muddy in places as it always has been despite the recent dry weather.  We temporarily mislaid Kane at Mitchelcombe when he stopped without warning to chat with a friend, then rode up to Holne playpark to introduce Glen to the delights of frisbee throwing.

It was only when we were approaching Hembury Woods that Michael noticed that Glen wasn't wearing his helmet.  He thought he had left it at a junction near Gallant Le Bower, but Michael detected a certain amount of uncertainty, so as we were running fairly late he decided to go back later for it in the car.  Meanwhile we concluded the ride with a dark descent through some of Hembury's interesting tracks.

When Michael and Joe went back later to find the helmet, it wasn't at the junction at all!  They eventually found it back at Holne playpark!

Dennis was the next rider to use Michael’s below average bike this evening, and also gave us the reason for Josh’s absence from cycling; a sore arm!  Joe showed off his spanky new lights, which were very cheap considering their value.  With four of us present we set off for Spitchwick along the road to Ashburton before turning left and up the hill towards Buckland in the moor.  Ben consistently complained that Dennis was being given the biased treatment from Michael - offering him a chocolate egg if he rode all the way - but stopped his whining when we got to the top of the hill which leads down to Spitchwick.

Michael gave advanced warning of the tight corners down this steep decline, but Ben seemed to ignore these, first skidding off into some leaves and then going straight on at one of the corners!  Fortunately he wasn’t injured and we were soon riding through the relaxed surroundings of Spitchwick and on to New Bridge.

After playing with the Frisbees for a few minutes Dennis asked whether we could do the slalom in Hembury Woods en route to Buckfast.  His question was answered when after a couple of hills we were riding past the fort which lies at the top of the woods.  It was now practically dark and Michael advised both Ben and Joe to only take the slalom track if they felt confident.  They did, but while Michael and Dennis took the easier route out of the woods,  Ben struggled to see where he was going - his light was pointing straight ahead, not at the ground!Fortunately he was behind Joe who’s new front light was beaming and giving a clear indication of what lied ahead.

We headed back to the road and then proceeded with all speed to Starcross, where the British Legion village hall had been set up specially for our event.  More than 120 cyclists from the various sections of the Devon DA arrived by 2.45, and after a short speech from our president Ken Strong we devoured the sandwiches, cream scones and birthday cake that had been generously organised by Mike Bowden of Exeter section.  There was just time for a group photo before we said our goodbyes and headed back along the coast path from Dawlish Warren to Dawlish.

Five riders turned up for a dry and sunny start to our evening ride.  Kane, who has yet to buy his own helmet and bike, had to settle with Michael’s small Raleigh Lizard, which at its current state will be at the tip within the next month!  Ben made a return to club cycling after a long sabbatical.

We had only reached Buckfast when Michael received a telephone call informing him of a rather embarrassing situation with one of his peacocks - it had found its way into a neighbour's bedroom!  Michael reassured them that they needn't call the RSPCA and that he would collect the bird later.

Riding along the riverside path in Hembury Woods we all agreed that it was a wonderful evening for cycling.  We crossed the fence and then began riding the travesty that was the track to River Dart Adventures.  It was covered in fallen trees and slippery surfaces:  navigation and precision was key to prevent injury!  Fortunately no one suffered any problems and we were soon enjoying the quaint surroundings of the River Dart Country Park.

Michael was in no mood for stopping, and everybody found themselves going back uphill as soon as we arrived!  Fortunately the track back through Holne Woods was a gradual hill that wasn’t too hard on the youngsters.  The downhills of Hembury Woods provided the perfect conclusion to a good ride.

Riding through Avonwick we took the lane route to North Huish and then the long steep descent past Manor Farm to a delightful bridge at the bottom over the river Avon.  The weather was perfect this morning and everything looked wonderful in the morning sunshine.  Those without mudguards had collected excellent mud streaks on the way down the hill.

The weather was excellent today and the youngsters had done well to get to Totnes.  Their reward was a ride to steamer quay and then along the riverside at Longmarsh.  We've never ridden here before, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

The rest of the group continued through Torbryan to Ipplepen where the garden centre was crowded with shoppers eager to buy up the hugely discounted christmas gifts.  After we had enjoyed some excellent refreshments Dennis and Kane were still ready for more, so we extended the ride by continuing on to Denbury and then investigating the prison there - a path through the grounds gave us all a good view of the layout of the complex which turned out to be much larger than any of us had imagined!

Our final route home took us through Woodland and Landscove.  Many congratulations to both our younger riders who amazed us all with their high speed and enthusiasm!  It looks like we'll be able to ride longer and farther on future rides!