The ride from Avonwick to Mothecombe was notable for just two incidents. Descending the long hill to Ermington a bunch of the leading riders, having been asked to wait half-way down, chose a spot that was just around a blind corner near Ugborough. Daniel was the first to discover them, and was fortunate to avoid a collision. Then, approaching the final climb to Mothecombe, Tao broke a spoke, leaving his wheel badly buckled. How would he get home?

We parked the bikes at the head of the footpath and walked to the beach, which was very peaceful today. When everyone had enjoyed lunch and finished jumping around in the water we returned to the bikes and descended the road to the main beach. The plan was to wade across the river Erme, something that is only possible when the tide is out. The sensible members took off their shoes and socks before wading across the sandy river bed - those who were too small to wade were carried across. One way or another we all got across within about fifteen minutes.

We knew the tide was out so we took the tidal road to Aveton Gifford. By this time Tao had found that he could still ride his buckled wheel. We stopped at Loddiswell’s Avon Mill cafe for refreshments and then concluded an excellent ride by returning home via Wrangaton and South Brent.