Meanwhile, back at Five Lanes … Yes, it was raining there too. I cycled out to Marldon as a duty rather than for pleasure, expecting to see no-one there, but I was in for a surprise. Don’t ask me what makes youngsters want to go cycling in torrential rain, because I don’t know, but waiting in the shelter were Kevin Philips and fourteen-year-old Jason Bath. Jason had been meaning to come out with us for many months, but every time we had a short run and he was free, it either rained or he had had an accident just beforehand. Today he could wait no longer, so there he was, wet and bedraggled!

We enjoyed our ride, squelching around the lanes through Denbury, Broadhempston and Ipplepen, but it’s not something I want to make a habit of. I hope the two boys enjoyed their afternoon, otherwise we might have all been better off staying indoors!

(Michael Jones)