The first ever morning ride from Buckfastleigh didn't go exactly to plan. First of all, Michael fooled David and Matthew by being early at the start: they thought they'd missed the group and made their own way to Cross Furzes. Meanwhile Michael met Matthew's father, who was somewhat concerned that his son wasn't with us!

We met Oliver and Tom at Cross Furzes as well as David and Matthew. Oliver got permission to ride with us until midday, so we set off along the track to Hayford Hall and Lud Gate. Pupers Hill lay in front of us, and the plan was to ride to the top and then across the ridge towards Water Oak Corner, returning to Buckfastleigh via the Avon Dam. Two successive mistakes compounded to make this impossible, however.

Michael made the first mistake. The leading riders were half way up Pupers Hill while the tail enders were still close to Lud Gate. Looking at his watch, Michael decided to direct the stragglers along a more direct route to the ridge, veering to the left. This should have enabled the leaders to see the spectacular views from Pupers and then meet the others along the ridge. Unfortunately, however, the stragglers took various different short cuts, and several of the leaders changed direction to intercept the stragglers. After a few moments, Michael could not be sure if anyone had gone up to Pupers. He had to spend ten minutes going to the top to check. When he found nobody there he proceeded to rejoin the others along the ridge.

As he approached, he saw a few cyclists riding off towards Water Oak Corner. The others were waiting as they had been directed. When heads had been counted and questions asked it became clear that David and Matthew had been followed by four other members. As we watched them in the distance they turned down the hill towards Cross Furzes, and Michael was powerless to stop them. The rest of us had no choice but to follow them, so we missed out on the Avon Dam.

The mistake here was made by David and Matthew, who should have waited with the main group until Michael arrived. They did not know Michael's proposed route, and moving off made it difficult to see if anyone had gone missing on the previous short section of riding.

We now had time to spare, so we decided to ride home via Coombe and Hawson Court. Sadly, however, Joseph Watkins got a puncture at the top which Matthew and David were unable to repair in four attempts. Michael, being without adult assistance, could not cycle up to assist, so he led the other riders home and then returned in his car to collect Joseph. Matthew and David had been very helpful, which made up for their earlier mistake!