From the Avonwick pick-up we took the road which runs alongside the river Avon and the old railway station (Ham Mill Halt) to Diptford. Michael had to give Luke a little training on the right-turn procedure, then we continued to Curtisknowle. Unfortunately the leaders were so keen to charge off at the front that most of them went straight past the right turn which leads to the track alternative: those of us who took it agreed it was an excellent detour.

Lunch was enjoyed on a log pile near the river at Gara Bridge before we tackled the big climb out of the valley. It wasn't long before we found ourselves passing the famous goat farm about which Plymouth Section are always raving. A change is as good as a rest, or so we are told, so plans for Loddiswell café were abandoned in favour of goats milk scones and organic apple juice. The food wasn't too bad, and the prices were excellent, but the odours emanating from the male Llama outside were sickening!

Return was via Topsham Bridge and Moreleigh.

First stop today was the Canonteign Falls café, although not everyone partook of the refreshments. We then followed country lanes through the picturesque village of Christow and up the long hill to the destination.

Michael was somewhat disappointed when we arrived, because the surrounding forests had all been harvested since his last visit several years ago, leaving a desolate wilderness almost everywhere. We made the most of it, however, selecting a couple of grassy banks along the track for lunch.

Continuing along the track we were soon riding around the reservoirs. Approaching Hennock a few decided to explore the bridleway shortcut down to Five Lanes - it turned out to be very rough, but enjoyable nevertheless. After a short puncture delay we separated near Bovey Tracey, some returning to Paignton via Chudleigh Knighton and others stopping at the café at Bovey Tracey.

A short ride through Dean to Shipley Bridge brought us to the reservoir, which wasn't overflowing today - an ominous sign for those who haven't forgotten last year's drought. We returned to Buckfastleigh along our usual route over the moor via Cross Furzes, and enjoyed refreshments on the Crofters lawn.

Michael went down with a virus on Saturday, but he had recovered sufficiently by Sunday morning to manage the cycle journey home. Highlight of the weekend was when the warden at Salcombe hostel produced a three-metre python from his kitchen - alive and fully functional! The younger members were highly amused at the sight of Michael knocking over a jug of water as he backed away from it! A succession of smaller snakes and lizards were then brought out, some of which were safe enough to be handled by the younger members - we have a photograph of a small snake wrapped around Alan's neck!

Our invitation rides usually attract a good attendance, and today was certainly no exception. After a short play in the park at Broadhempston and a meander through the local lanes we somehow managed to find our way to the Pick and Park café for afternoon refreshments.

This turned out to be one of the best weekends we have ever organised. A few were put off by the high cost of travelling to and from Taunton on the railways, but those who went were not disappointed.

From Taunton station we rode through Creech St Michael, Ham, Knapp, North Curry and Meare Green, stopping at a visitor centre near the latter to learn the importance of willow in the area. Next stop was Burrow Mump, a strange rounded hill sticking up out of the acres of flat landscape, with a ruined church at the summit. Our route to Cheddar hostel was really very easy, the long flat roads being only occasionally interrupted with short climbs. Michael was awarding points to the members who noticed local features such as drainage ditches or willow trees, but there were so many that we eventually had to give up the idea.

Martin Hills hit a major problem shortly after our arrival at the hostel. He locked up his bike and realised he hadn't got the key. He located a shop that had a pair of bolt-croppers, but had to wait until the next morning for them to open. After a generous supper we enjoyed a cycle excursion to the gorge before returning for card games at the hostel.

Next morning we began the day with a guided tour around the Cheddar caves and then climbed the long gorge to Priddy. We called in briefly at Wookey Hole after lunch, but decided there wasn't time to see even the Hall of Mirrors. At Wells we looked over the cathedral and watched the jousters on the famous clock doing their thing, then we proceeded through the lanes to Glastonbury Tor, where the long climb kept us occupied for quite a while. We were only a couple of miles from Street, but Michael decided not to point this fact out as we surveyed the view from the tor. An excursion was organised which took us through West Bradley, Baltonsborough and Butleigh before bringing us to the hostel on time.

Street hostel is a wooden chalet surrounded by woodland and situated on a ridge overlooking Street. The interior was very satisfactory, some of the dorms even having their own balconies. There was plenty of room outside on the common for games of rounders, so that is how much of the evening was spent.

Our last day was plagued with mechanical problems near Walton, but we still found time for the planned excursion to Meare before heading for Taunton via Ashcott. We arrived at the station with a few minutes to spare - just enough time to purchase a few items of food from a nearby shop.