After what seemed like weeks of rain we decided to make the most of the good weather by running a fairly brisk and ambitious ride to the South Hams. From South Brent we dropped down the hill to Avonwick and then took the lanes through to North Huish. A local pensioner, out walking his dog in the sunshine, was reminded of his own cycling experiences in Lincolnshire when he was younger, but he politely declined our invitation to join us.

Pressing on through the peaceful village we descended to the picturesque Bickham Bridge where the course of the old railway passes alongside the sparkling river Avon amidst autumnal woodland glades. It would have made a perfect lunch stop, but today we had little time to admire the view. A tough climb was followed by a short spin through the village of Diptford and then a speedy spin along the main road to Tigley and Dartington. With sunshine glinting off every stream our ride ended with Colston road, bringing us home just after 1pm.

It was good to see Dave Hartnell again after his summer fracture.