Neil got a puncture on the way to Totnes, but it took an hour to fix it because the valve had broken and he didn’t have a spare tube! In view of the time and the weather forecast we decided to divert the ride to Rolster Bridge near Harbertonford: surrounded by falling leaves this made an excellent lunch spot.

Next we followed some little-used lanes to Diptford, at which point Tom decided to get a puncture as well. Did he have a spare tube or a puncture kit? No sir, he did not. So he had to rely on the generosity of his club friends to get him rolling again, a generosity which he rewarded by leaving us at Avonwick!

The rest of the group headed for the Copper Kettle cafe at South Brent, with Michael reminding everyone of the importance of bringing basic puncture equipment with them on every ride. We reached Buckfastleigh at 3.30pm and spent the afternoon at Crofters, well pleased to be out of the rain.