The Buckfastleigh starters took the Colston Road route to the Totnes pickup, and when Harry had rolled in at 1055 we set off for Ashprington.

Everyone except Julian and Budgy decided to ride the Sharpham track. Today the surface was not too muddy, and the primroses looked magnificent in the morning sunshine. There were several styles to tackle along the way, and a steep climb that Paul nearly rode to the top, but the whole ride was a lot of fun.

We met up with Julian and Budgy at Bow Bridge, near Tuckenhay. Budgy was most disappointed to learn that this was not the Bow Bridge of our destination: there were still several more miles to ride! Lanes took us on to Forces Cross, where the large lady of the cafe was nowhere to be seen. At Blackawton Tom rang for his parents, as he had to be home for lunch. The rest of us enjoyed the steep and rough descent to Dallacombe and quickly found the correct Bow Bridge amongst the woodlands on the River Gara.

The bridge offered some shelter from the chill wind so we settled there for lunch. While we were there we overheard Phillip and Harry saying how they needed new bikes. What were the reasons for these decisions? One had a slightly buckled wheel and the other had a poorly adjusted front brake! We suggested to them that Budgy should perhaps have got a new bike as well because he had a puncture!

As we passed Shepleigh Court Michael told of how it was once rumoured to be a naturist centre: it looked somewhat cold today for such pursuits!

With all speed we returned through Moreleigh to Diptford, where Michael broke a spoke and we met briefly with Plymouth Section. We had plenty of time to visit the Copper Kettle tea-rooms at South Brent before returning to Buckfastleigh by 4.55.