Calum was feeling a little under the weather today after his 10th birthday celebrations, but he put on a brave face as we tackled the steep ascent through Hembury Woods. Rachel wondered when the hills would ever end, but soon we turned right and joined the long track descent through the woods that leads to the Park. On the way down, Calum managed to come off, and that in turn made Ben lose control so that he too came off! There was no serious damage however, and everyone enjoyed the final section down to the road with its narrow leafy boundaries and sharp turns.

The park itself was quite busy with tourists, so we quickly rode through to the lower Hembury track where narrow paths, concealed mine entrances, fallen tree trunks and superb river views entertained us all the way back to Buckfastleigh.