Another special event upset the usual schedules today – Torbay’s annual visit to Salcombe youth hostel. Michael Ward was out again for his second ride and, after the addition of ten Dartmoor members at Totnes, we were quite a sizeable crowd. Kevin had decided it was about time he had some toeclips, so he was using some borrowed pedals for the weekend and bought some new pedals for £1.90 at Totnes to fit before next week.

We took the lanes through Harbertonford and Moreleigh and then continued past New Bridge to Churchstow. On again to West Alvington where we took the main road to Marlborough and dropped down towards Bolt Head and the youth hostel.

The day had been sunny and clear but now it was quite cold and we were glad to settle down to a nice hot meal. The highlight of the evening came when Don announced a competition, with chocolate for all who entered and a special YHA mug for the winner. Obviously we were all delighted with the idea, but then came the details: continue the sentence “I think Don is the greatest because ..” in not more than 249 words. All entries were to be judged by a panel of judges – Don!

Naturally, no-one missed the opportunity of saying everything they had ever wanted to about their Dawlish hero, and so, not surprisingly, only two or three odes were even considered for the prize. The winning entry was a poem by John Pope (which may be published elsewhere), but Val came a close second and was rewarded with an extra bar of chocolate.

(Michael Jones)

I bought new pedals in Totnes with toeclips for £1.90, so this was my first ride with

Next morning we awoke to the smell of porridge and, after lengthy debate, decided to get out and face it like men. Kevins hostel chore was to lay the breakfast table for us, and we reckoned he had done a fair job.

Revitalised we said goodbye to the Downie family, who were taking the short route home, and proceeded to Salcombe where we had planned to try out the ferry to East Portlemouth. Sadly Michael felt ill and could not face cycling back to Torquay, but just when we were trying to work out how to get him home, Don met a friend who happened to be going to Newton Abbot, so the problem was solved.

The ferry turned out to be little more than a dinghy but we were all across after three crossings and we thanked the ferryman for his trouble. Back on dry land again we continued through Chivelstone to Torcross for coffee and lunch before tackling the steep ascent to Strete. The road through Tuckenhay was scenic but provided us with more steep hills to climb and, after parting at Totnes, we were all glad to get home to a warm meal.

(Michael Jones)


Michael used up two final photos from his old 110 camera today