Richard Goss had hoped to attend this weekend at the last minute, but unfortunately it was not possible to arrange for him to join us at such short notice. Michael was in the support car again as we collected Budgie from the Budgie Box at Caton and Eliot and Tao at the Gappah pick-up. After a climb over Haldon Hill and the fabulous descent to Starcross we met up with the last member of our group, John, brining number to 10.

The ferry crossing was fun on the small ferry boat. Ashley's bike would not fit on, so Michael took it in the car and drove around Exeter, meeting everyone on Exmouth beach. The youngsters seemed more interested in buying things from the beach kiosk than sitting on the beach to eat their lunch.

We followed the lanes through Budleigh Salterton and then took the road/track to Otterton. Unfortunately the road was marked as closed to motor vehicles, so Michael had to take the long route again.

There was a bit of a climb to the top of the hill overlooking Sidmouth but the effort was rewarded with some fabulous views of the town and coast. Ashley, however, rode straight past the viewpoint without stopping, so evidently the view wasn't of interest to him. After a great descent everyone settled into the busy Mocha café on the seafront, with several ordering the famous, tasty but extremely expensive Knickerbocker Glories. Michael did have a problem finding a parking space though, and ended up having to walk a fair way to the café.

Fun was had at the ford in Sidmouth, then the steep climb to the observatory was not quite so much fun. Philip decided there was not much point having a support car if it didn't offer support when you needed it, so he transferred to the car for the climb. The ride to the hostel then proceeded with the descent to the pretty village of Branscombe, the climb at the other end and the descent to Beer.

When we arrived there was a problem with the booking: someone at the hostel had moved us to Sunday night! Fortunately there were enough spare beds at the hostel anyway so we set about having showers. John paid for the hostel meal but the rest of us were self-catering.

For evening activities we walked from the hostel down through the avenue of trees to the village and beach, playing with the Frisbees and tennis ball along the way. Eliot very cleverly managed to lose two Frisbees that landed in a roadside stream and disappeared into a very long drain that continued under the road. The other youngsters, playing tag around the trees, were all highly amused.

After walking some of the coast path towards Seaton we had more problems on Beer beach when Keir managed to lose the tennis ball, our last plaything. Eliot did buy Michael a new Frisbee, although it was not as good as the Aerobies that had been lost.

We would have rounded off the evening with a ghost story, but as some were unable to calm down we abandoned the idea and just settled for a good night's sleep.

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

[MJ in car. 9.30 departure from BFL. Richard Goss hoped to go, but could not be arranged at such short notice. Budgy at Budgy box, Eliot and Tao at Gappah, good descent to Starcross, where John was waiting. Now full complement of 10. Ferry crossing fun, MJ took Ashley’s bike and drove around Exeter, lunch on Exmouth beach although kids went up to shop so MJ ate alone. On through lanes to Budleigh Salterton, on through Otterton, lane closed so MJ around again, climb to Sidmouth, Ashley went straight past the viewpoint, obviously didn’t interest him! Cafe stop in the Mocha cafe, MJ problem parking, several ordered the extremely expensive KBGs, fun at the ford, then long climb past the observatory, Phillip now in the car! Descent to Branscombe, then steep climb again and final descent to Beer. Problem with booking, had moved us to Sunday, but enough space anyway so OK. Showers, John had the evening meal provided, rest self-catering, frisbee throwing, walk to coast, Eliot lost 2 frisbees in drain, played IT around the trees, lost tennis ball on the beach (Keir), Eliot bought MJ new frisbee, good night for MJ at least, although some in a silly mood so no ghost story.]

Some members of our group needed encouragement to complete their hostel chores this morning, but when we finally got away we climbed the hill to the main road and rode at high speed to Sidmouth where we bought lunch. We continued on to Newton Poppleford and then forked left for Woodbury Common. Today Tao led the cyclists up the track short-cut from Hawkerland: he didn't come out where Michael was waiting but still found his way to the car.

We had lunch in the car park before Tao led the cyclists along another track to the fort: once again he didn't come out where Michael was waiting. We had great fun riding around the fort, although Paul managed to damage his wheel while doing a jump which put his bike out of action. Philip was ready for the support car again however, so Paul rode Philip's bike for the rest of the day.

The ride down to Topsham was easy, as was the canal path to Alphington. The long climb over Haldon however through Shillingford St George began to take its toll from some who needed some helpful lifts in the car. It was all change at the top when Keir's freewheel broke, so Keir moved into the support car with Philip and everyone else had to cycle again.

We called in at the mill café at Chudleigh for very welcome refreshments before heading home through Bickington, concluding what had generally been a good weekend.

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

[Sunday, not too early a start as MJ had to chase up the job completion, climb to main road, sped along to Sidmouth where bought lunch, then on through Newton Pop, left and along lanes to Woodbury Common via a track, Tao missed MJ at the top but still reached the car OK. Lunch in car park, anotther track to the fort, again missed MJ, Phil in car again, Paul did a jump and damaged his wheel, so he rode Philips bike, descent through to Topsham, canal route to Alphington, back over Haldon, some needed a lift in the car! Keir freewheel problems, so he had a lift instead from the top. Chudleigh cafe, then back thorugh Bickington. Not a bad weekend.]