Conditions were already uncomfortably hot by the time we reached Ashburton, and none of us were particularly suited to hot weather. It was nice to be back in the Teign Valley again after such a long absence, but temperatures were still high outside the shade of the woodlands. Canonteign Falls cafe offered the perfect opportunity for refreshments, with its shaded tables overlooking the lake. Gage chased ducks, doves and geese while the rest of us looked on, loathe to leave such tranquillity.

We proceeded along the back lanes to Christow for our planned inspection of the BMX track, but we were disappointed with what we found: the whole course was in a very poor state of repair, and the only users we saw were a couple of local lads on scooters! It seemed as though the town council had abandoned it to nature. We enjoyed lunch in a shady corner of the track and rode it a few times, but the atmosphere just wasn't the same.

While we were contemplating the possibility of taking in Fingle Bridge and Chagford on the return route we continued along the valley to Dunsford and rode the first half of the delightful woodland track from Steps Bridge. The heat was by now very oppressive, however, and with Gage still a relative newcomer we decided to return via Chudleigh Knighton, Bovey Tracey and Bickington - longer, but significantly easier.