The Afternoon Run on 4 July was attended by nine members, the other half of the Section being on the hard ride. We took the main road to Totnes and then cycled through Dartington College grounds – a haven compared with the noise of the holiday traffic around Paignton. A quick check of the map and we were exploring some little used lanes around Lownard and Rattery. The gears on my new bike were causing a little difficulty for me, and steep hills looming up out of nowhere didn’t help matters. People can be cruel – my so-called “friends” couldn’t stop laughing!

Anyway, Matthew and Richard wanted to go for an extended ride over the moors that evening, so we split near Rattery, Frank leading the younger riders home through Dartington whilst Dave, Michael and myself escorted our young explorers to Buckfastleigh. I went as far as New Bridge with them before turning home for tea, and was honoured with their company again later on at Redmount for refreshments before the “long journey home”.

(Michael Jones)