The return journey was, fortunately, fraught with fewer difficulties. When repairs had been effected to Luke’s tyre, damaged the previous evening during a skid, the twenty-strong group set off for the ferry to East Portlemouth under a cloudy but rainless sky.

When the complicated task of ferrying eighteen cycles across the Kingsbridge Estuary in a boat the size of a saucepan had been completed (it took four trips) the group set off for South Pool. It was near Waterhead that a passing ice-cream van was forced off the road and stripped of its entire stock; the gentleman concerned considered that there must have been divine intervention, as this was the last day of his season!

Lunch on the beach at Torcross was particularly enjoyable. When everyone had finished running around, taking photographs and pouring pebbles down people’s shirts the group set off once more, heading this time for Strete and Tuckenhay. Once again young Philip managed to get a lift in the car for quite a bit of the journey, as did Mark Moxham whose bottom bracket had finally given up the unequal struggle to hold itself together.

A short stop for light refreshments near Dreyton was followed by the discovery of a large hole in Luke’s front tyre. The repair effected at the hostel had been only temporary but it had been expected to last until he got home. Philip appeared dismayed at the discovery as he knew only too well that there was only room for two people in the car.

Corkscrew Hill brought the group, inevitably, to Bow Hill. Philip tackled it bravely and managed to continue all the way to Totnes despite being irritated from time to time by the sight of Luke and Mark speeding past in the car. On one occasion it was Luke and Paul in the car – Paul had loaned Mark his bike so that he could have a chance to do some cycling!

Salcombe 1985 was certainly different. Support cars can sometimes be a nuisance, but on this occasion it proved essential and added something to the whole adventure. Let’s hope that 1986 will see further cooperation between our local Sections and that we are able to maintain the high standards of fun and adventure that were set by this year’s event.