We decided to continue with this morning’s ride despite the unpleasant weather conditions. Having climbed Wallaford Road to Cross Furzes, however, we decided to keep off the wet moor and diverted instead to Coombe, Scorriton, Michelcombe and Holne, keeping a close eye on Austin during the descent because his brakes weren’t working too well.

There was some demand for some off-road riding, so we started with the rough track descent from Holne. Here came our first casualty: Eliot came off on the lower section and cut his knee, but he was able to continue with the ride.

To conclude the ride we took the lower Hembury Woods track, today awash with a stream. Luke became the second casualty here when he broke his rear derailleur. Wounds and equipment were nursed and repaired at Crofters when we eventually returned at 12.30.