The destination for the energetic run on the first Sunday in November was Woodbury Common. The day didn’t start too badly, although there were ominous-looking clouds as we met at the Drum Bridges pickup. It stayed dry as we made a good pace up the Teign Valley and ground over Longdown into Exeter, where a brief stop was made to find some food for a new rider, Gary Throgmorton, who hadn’t come prepared with a picnic.

We made another brief pause to drop something in the Luxton letterbox before, foolhardily as it turned out, pressing on to Poltimore heading for Broadclyst and Whimple. We had not gone very far before capes had to be donned in a hurry, and thoughts were of possible shelter for lunch.

A “better than nothing” bus shelter at Dog Village had to suffice, although Pete’s shed at Stoke Canon would have been true luxury in comparison. There was not the slightest sign of any let-up in the deluge after lunch, so a unanimous decision was made to head for home by the coast road.

(Colin Brierly)

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]