Four cyclists left Five Lanes on a bright and crisp January 8th and we doubled our numbers in Totnes with the addition of Mike Bowden and “Bewhiskered” Benstead – and Phil and Matthew Burrows who had been hotly pursuing us from Marldon.

Our favourite lanes were followed to Moreleigh, Coles Cross and Chillington with a helpful wind. Then we undulated towards Start Point for our turning to Hallsands and lunch amongst the ruins of this unfortunate ghost town. However, our spirits were high, which helped to keep out the cold, and it wasn’t long before we heaved our bikes over the headland to Greenstraight and commenced our stroll along the beach.

The rocks at Tinsey Head were somewhat .. ahem .. awkward, but our feet remained dry and we delighted in the incredulous faces of the Beesands fishermen.

On to Sunnydale, then up the 1 in 1-and-a-bit track over to Torcross in stinging rain from a black sky. Thoughts of the tea shop at Blackpool Sands spurred us on, and the genial owner made us welcome.

On the way to Dartmouth, Phil Benstead bade us goodbye and disappeared Plymouth-bound into the evening gloom. We used the Higher Ferry, knowing that the climb to Hillhead would warm us up for our last few miles to our homes.

(Robert Spence)

[We have been unable to find attendance records for this period, so the attendance list for this event is incomplete]