Our second junior ride started with the riverside track through Hembury Woods - slightly uphill and a little muddy in places, but generally a lot of fun. Some of the youngsters were relieved to see the tarmac again, but that soon changed when they saw the hill they had to climb! The tail-enders had more problems to endure when a farm dog started to chase after them.

The play park in the quiet village of Holne made an excellent rest spot: some played with the Aerobies while others made an assault course in the stream and ended up on the muddy side of wet. When Michael finally persuaded everyone to get back on their bikes we set off for a much easier return route that was nearly all downhill. This was the farthest that many of our young riders had ever cycled, and the glorious sunset and superb views of Dartmoor made them all determined to come again next week.

The ride was rounded off with the rare sight of a wild dear crossing the road as we descended through Hembury woods.