The forecasters had issued storm warnings for the night before: was it this or the nine o'clock start that kept everyone else at home? Simon and Richard had a good tail wind to get them to Chudleigh Bridge, but there was no one there either. We went up past Canonteign Falls and climbed over the ridge to the reservoirs, regretting our lack of recent exercise. We paused on the way to Blackingstone to admire the snow on the higher moorland. By the time we clambered to the top the view was obscured by approaching rainclouds, so we had a quick lunch in the lee of the rock, picking a spot amidst the last vestiges of the snow.

The rain held off as we made our way through Hennock to Bovey. So far we had only had the odd shower, but now it set in steadily. The helpful wind of the morning was in our faces and we made a rather dour and damp return to Buckfastleigh. We considered joining the afternoon ride, but as we'd clearly had the best of the day's weather we decided against it.