A late start was inevitable when Tao asked Michael for a puncture kit as soon as he emerged from his car at 10.05. Coupled with Oliver's late arrival, Joe needing tools to fix a new jockey wheel to his derailleur and Gavin discovering a puncture too, we didn't get away until 10.38.

Everyone was impressed with the newly extended Big Peaks shop at Ashburton which now offers a good range of cycling equipment. Soon we were on the long climb from Bickington to Haytor, helpfully divided into 8 stages to assist new rider Gage in gauging progress to the top. He did so well that we were able to make up much of the lost time and enjoy lunch on the old tramway near Haytor quarry. Gage even kept us entertained over lunch by instantly finding two Dartmoor letterboxes and bringing them to us for signing. Tao was amazed, and also realised why he had never been able to find them before - he had been looking for red boxes, not Tupperware boxes!

The bridleway descent into the steep-sided Lustleigh valley behind Haytor was every bit as challenging and exciting as we had expected - and the subsequent climb was every bit as tough as it had looked from Smallacombe rocks! Ruins of the medieval village of Hundatora, abandoned in 1350, cross the bridleway en route to Houndtor. Around 8 houses can be seen, including the manor house shown in the picture. In all the houses cattle and people shared the same space. A long descent from Houndtor brought is to the car park refreshment van: queues were rather lengthy, but the table and chairs were ideal.

Tao came up with the idea of returning home via Cold East Cross, Buckland, Spitchwick and Hembury, a route that made a very enjoyable conclusion to an excellent ride. Congratulations to Gage on completing a challenging first ride with no difficulty at all.