There was quite a turnout at Marldon today, boosted by the Maypool hostellers who had just lunched at Cockington. In addition to the new riders we were pleased to see Matthew Jago, now almost fully recovered from his recent operation. Philip Roberts turned up in a car at the last minute - he only decided to join the ride when the sun came out, and then there wasn't time to cycle up!

We met up with the Buckfastleigh contingent at the little bridge near Tally Ho. This wasn't the agreed meeting place, so we were fortunate to find each other. Proceeding through Littlehempston to Uphempston we soon found ourselves at the entrance to a track which none of us had ever cycled. Graham Burge had done it in a vehicle once and warned the group that it would probably be quite muddy. This was exactly what the Mountain Bikers wanted to hear, of course, and only Paul HW, Graham Burge and a few others took the road alternative.

When they saw what lay at the other end of the track, they were certain they had made the right decision. A huge lake of muddy water blocked the exit from hedge to hedge. One could not cycle through it without getting wet and muddy feet. The real mud-lovers (and there are plenty of them in our club) rode through it time and time again, back and forth, plastering themselves and all nearby spectators with filthy, juicy mud. When they had finished they thanked Michael for the best track they had ever done with the Section!

The rest of us weren't so sure. Dave Robinson and friends found an escape over a gate and through a field, Michael took his shoes and socks off and then rode through (just once), and Matthew Jago announced that tracks weren't as bad as he had previously thought. In view of the mixed reactions, it seemed sensible to avoid any further tracks that afternoon.

As the sun set and temperatures plummeted, some younger riders began to regret ever getting their feet wet. Martin Hills' puncture didn't help either. Eventually everyone got home to warm baths and good food - a little cold and muddy perhaps, but it had all been worth it.