Michael's "Mystery Ride" was not a total mystery to Ashley, and he really didn't think his sore arm would cope with the rough descent across the moor. Nevertheless once we had climbed up Dean hill and on to Bloody Pool he decided to give it a go. The radio-controlled plane enthusiasts were out again today.

The fine weather had drawn hundreds of people to Shipley Bridge, making cycling past them a little more difficult than usual. Eventually we got to the Avon dam however and settled on its tranquil banks for a chocolate break. A dog dived into the reservoir for a swim while we lay there: we didn't like the idea considering this was our drinking water, but there were no signs around so we couldn't really complain. Hopefully the filtration plant will do its job properly!

Neither Ryan nor Callum had ever ridden the moorland track behind the dam and they were totally stunned by the view from the top of the hill - it is possible to see all the way from Teignmouth to Paignton and beyond from there. And of course they thought the track descent to Cross Furzes along the Abbots Way was "awesome", both of them going on about it long after we had reached home.