Only Jack and Callum joined us for the ride today. It was Lawrence’s birthday and we were disappointed not to be able to celebrate it with him.

We followed the original plan of riding to South Brent, and amazingly Callum was actually very fast – he loved the ride and didn’t complain once all day! We called in to the Co-op at South Brent, bought some Belgian buns and cookies and then decided to take the moderate off-road ride to the Avon Dam rather than my proposed extreme off-road route to Ugborough Beacon.

Autumn leaves adorned the route from Gidley Bridge to Shipley Bridge – Callum did so well he was actually leading at one point. There were, predictably, lots of people at Shipley, and as we rode up the path to the reservoir Callum revealed that he had never been here before.

We ate our food by the reservoir and spent a little time walking along the dam for some photographs. Eventually we set off across the moor for home at around 1.20: it turned out to be quite muddy and boggy in places, but there were fabulous views across South Devon from the top of the Abbots Way.

Once we had negotiated the muddy bits near Water Oak Corner everyone enjoyed the final downhill moorland track to Cross Furzes. After a few more photos by the clapper bridge we returned via Wallaford Road for around 2.17. Congratulations to Callum on his best ride for ages.

We had a good turnout, but somehow Jack got the false impression at the start that nobody wanted to help him adjust his disc brakes so he went home. He wasn’t waiting for us in the car park and we didn’t see him anywhere on the way past his house, so we had no choice but to continue with the ride.

We rode up to Scoriton where our friendly dog Ben was out again, then took the lane to Michelcombe and up to Holne. Kevin Presland and the Torbay group came up behind us at the seat junction above Holne just at the point in the ride when Michael was feeling really drained from his recent virus and was wondering whether he would be able to do the full ride to Dartmeet. Callum O’B was also feeling tired so we all rode up to Venford at various speeds, chatting along the way By the time we reached the top Kevin’s group had gone on and the rest of us were feeling somewhat better, so we decided to press on to Badgers’ Holt despite Ash’s kind advice that Michael shouldn’t push himself onwards if he was feeling unwell.

We took the track from Combestone Tor to the stepping stones: it was quite muddy in places, and there was a lot of mud in the narrow gateway near the bottom of the final field – so muddy in fact that Ash got stuck in it!

The river was fairly high today so two of the stepping stones only had small dry areas and the water was quite deep around all of them. As we did our best to carry the bikes across the river Jerry thought the whole situation was crazily fun and adventurous, so he insisted on some photos for the website.

We reached the Badgers’ Holt café at 1.12. Most people wanted to stop there, so we went inside for a very enjoyable break. Ash had chocolate cake and a hot chocolate, Michael had coffee cake and a hot chocolate, but both of them felt the drinks were tasty but too small – yes they were in mugs, but they were the smallest mugs they had ever seen! Zac had a burger with loads of mustard. He also had a black and white cat on his lap that drooled onto him, although he didn’t notice the drooling!

As we were leaving the café at 1.45 some were filling their water bottles, so Michael sent Callum O’B on ahead up Dartmeet Hill on Callum F’s bike, accompanied by Ash, with clear instructions for Ash to keep him moving until he got to the top. He was making excellent progress, but as soon as the rest of us got near Callum F shouted to Callum O’B to stop, then swapped bikes back again! Callum O’B then pushed his bike – slowly – to the top, and we ended up waiting fifteen minutes for him. Thanks Callum F!

Next we rode the famous Dr Blackall’s drive in what was now a quite sunny and pleasant afternoon. Zac almost skipped the final downhill part of the track saying he had had enough of off-road for one day, but in the end we all did it and enjoyed it as always.

Callum O’B was slow again up to Gallant le Bower, so Michael sent the three on that wanted to ride Hembury Woods track and we met them at the car park near the bottom of the woods. We passed Jerry’s grandparents at Coronation Seat and got home by 3.25 for an hour of computer games.

All our regular riders were out today except Callum F who was in Gloucester. Lawrence got Michael to make him a toast and marmalade breakfast, then everyone took a look at Callum O’Brien’s new bike, which turned out to be exactly the same model and colour as Lawrence’s Trek.

Michael was around 80% fit now after his recent cough, so he was back to cycling today. Zac suggested Ashburton and everyone seemed happy with that so we followed our usual route along the old Ashburton road and then took the old railway track to the park where some played for a short time and others stayed outside in the hope that the rest would then finish quicker.

The woodland track back from Belford Mill was a bit muddy today. Halfway along the track we found a rope overhanging the river which provided much entertainment. Callum plucked up courage to have a go after watching the others and had no problems, but Lawrence needed some help to return to the bank when he took his turn.

Leaving the woods we noticed a pair of dirty shorts hanging from a bramble by the gate and wondered how they got there. We then returned past South Dartmoor School and along the old railway line, reaching Buckfastleigh by 12.55. Lawrence did will today, and Callum’s new bike made a huge difference to his performance.