Michael honoured the agreement made on Sunday by taking the group down the track to Holne Bridge. In order to get the timing right he arranged the outward route to pass through Buckfast, Scorriton and Michelcombe. The youngsters would never have thought of taking such a route of course, so they needed constant reassurance that we were actually going to the agreed track!

As we entered Holne, Paul’s Shimano chain broke and needed several vital minutes of work to make it useable again. Martin Hills volunteered immediately, making his return to club rides particularly welcome as far as Michael was concerned!

We eventually arrived at the head of the track a few minutes before dusk, leaving only just enough light for us to see our way down. In fact it was so dark as we rode through the River Dart Country Park that Tao rode into a rope barrier! Fortunately he wasn’t hurt and was able to take part in the Anaconda Run fun before we set off for Peartree and home.

And what was Russell’s opinion of his first ride? A bit tiring, but good fun - especially the downhill bits!