Ash contacted us just before 7.00 saying he could ride with us for an hour if we could wait ten minutes. We waited, but it was 7.34 when we finally set off. Then, soon after we had joined the old Ashburton road, he said he had promised to be back home by 8pm, so he went home! At least he rode with us for 20 minutes.

We rode through River Dart Country Park, which was all completely dark of course but there were still loads of holidaymakers staying there. We then rode up the track through Holne Woods using Michael's good bike light. At the top the gate was barred as usual, so Michael went around the side after removing his pannier and Gavin and Dillan passed the bikes over the gate. Unfortunately they forgot to pass Michael's pannier and he didn't notice, so we rode home merrily through Hembury Woods in the darkness and got back soon after 9.05.