This was one of those not-too-long rides that seemed to have just the right mix of all the ingredients that make up a perfect ride.

The lanes through Scoriton, Michelcombe and Holne to Venford reservoir were as enjoyable as ever, but then Michael suggested a track short-cut to Dartmeet that we hadn’t done for many years. Some (Tom actually) were doubtful at first, having experienced Michael’s short-cuts on many previous occasions, but as the pleasant grassy track took us down into the secluded valley, everyone had to agree that it was ideal.

When lunch had been consumed overlooking a stream and small woodland, we set off for the doubtful part of the short-cut - the stepping stone crossing to Dartmeet itself. The stones weren’t submerged as Michael had feared, and were easy going for the most part. There was just one tricky gap near the middle that had everyone pausing for courage and left a few (Philip in particular) with wet feet!

The Dartmeet cafe was filled with tourists and cigarette smoke as usual, but we were in need of a rest and didn’t fancy climbing the steep hill to visit the nearby farm cafe. The food and drink turned out to be tolerable, so the occasion was not quite as unpleasant as Michael had anticipated.

We concluded an excellent ride with the ascent of Dartmeet Hill, the descent of Dr Blackall’s Drive (a superb mile-long track offering magnificent views over secluded sections of the Dart valley), ice creams at New Bridge, the Hembury Woods track and Star Trek videos at Crofters!