The Buckfastleigh to Totnes Raft Race gave rise to more confusion along the nearby roads than it does in the river Dart. It was almost impossible to count our cyclists at the Totnes pick-up as the madding crowds dashed hither and thither in their attempts to catch a glimpse of the action below the bridge.

Today was a special occasion in another way for Torbay Section's Dawn Brewster, as she found out when we reached the Gallery restaurant at Dartington Hall. There, in all its glory, was a huge birthday cake kindly provided by the Presland household. Sadly, however, its life was short.

Leaving Torbay Section at Dartington Church we returned via Staverton Bridge and the lanes through Bumpston Cross, choosing (as always) to ignore the 'Road Closed' sign. On this occasion however it turned out to be well and truly closed as the gas board were working on a huge trench which stretched right across the lane! Had they not agreed to assist us by stopping their JCB we would have been forced to retrace our tracks. Needless to say they were highly amused at the sight of us struggling across the gap.

We returned via the Caddaford track, from where Richard and Mark escorted new rider Noel part-way home.