Our November afternoon ride was headed for one of our favourite destinations. Progress up Nurston hill was hampered by Chris Mabin's wide tractor: Ben and co decided it was too wide to be passed, so they went back down the hill to a wider part of the lane!

It was nearly 4.15 when we arrived at Shipley Bridge. The car park was nearly full, but most visitors were heading back down from the dam as the light began to fade. The only other person heading up with us was a woman on horseback, but her horse had other ideas when she tried to pass us. Apparently the animal was terrified of bicycles, and this was part of the reason she had brought him out today! Well try as she might she could not get the horse to pass us, so with gritted teeth she told her mount that he'd do it backwards then! With that she turned him around and backed him past us, which, whilst a little ungainly, seemed to do the trick!

We soon passed the picnic table that Zac had assured us was there, and when we finally reached the reservoir it was not as deserted as we might have supposed: several people (and dogs) were still soaking up the tranquillity and admiring the views from both sides of the dam. We stopped just long enough to eat some refreshments, then set off at a good pace with Michael chivvying everyone along in the diminishing light.

The sunset over White Barrows was magnificent this evening, and as we climbed the hill we were faced with a bright, full moon rising over the horizon. During the descent of the Abbots Way the moonlight became increasingly our main source of light, so this turned out to be one of the eeriest rides we had ever undertaken to Avon Dam!

It was close to dark when we finally reached Cross Furzes, but we had plenty of lights between us for the final descent to Buckfastleigh. We finished the ride just after 5.30 with everyone having thoroughly enjoyed the ride.