Next day we embarked on a new venture which had been planned for several months – our first split in an attempt to cater more successfully for the harder riders in the group. The Afternoon Run took place as usual, but the keen ones set off at 9.30 for Mary Tavy.

I attended the Afternoon Run, but on the way back to Buckfastleigh from Marldon I came across Mark and Michael from the Day Ride. Things had evidently not gone quite according to plan: Michael was bruised and scratched and so was his bike. They came back to Redmount for a drink and some patching up, and then the whole sad story emerged.

Whilst cycling to the Totnes pick-up with Kevin that morning, John Pope had run into the hedge on Dartington Hill, landing up with a cut chin amongst other injuries. Some friends came to collect him after a telephone call. Later on in the day, Michael had run out of road at the bottom of a hill near the destination, leaving him with a multitude of cuts and bruises – they managed to hobble on to get within sight of Mary Tavy before heading home with all speed.

When I telephoned John that evening I discovered that he had been to hospital for stitches and was feeling very much under the weather, and on the following Wednesday evening run Michael informed us that he had a small fracture in his wrist! Everyone has now recovered I’m glad to say, so let’s forget about that ill-fated ride.

(Michael Jones)