Only Tao and Michael braved the early showers this morning. They discussed the options and eventually decided that they weren’t going to be done out of a good ride just because their comrades couldn’t be bothered to turn out. Lustleigh’s Primrose cafe seemed like a good first port of call, so off they set.

The weather looked sunny and bright as Tao finished the last mouthful of his chocolate gateaux, so our two brave wanderers agreed to proceed all the way to Fingle Bridge as planned. They rode through Moretonhampstead, climbed the hill to Cranbrook Castle, descended the steep stony track to Fingle Bridge (taking care, of course, not to overshoot the path when it took a hairpin right), climbed to the top of Hunters Path and enjoyed lunch overlooking the magnificent scenery of the Teign Valley.

After enjoying the rest of the path (mainly downhill) they were delighted to sail past a queue of cars held up at Sandy Park - a coach couldn’t get round the last bend because a car had parked there! After Chagford the two returned to Bovey Tracey via Manaton after an excellent ride.