First class weather all day for March 11th and our run over Dartmoor. The pick-up was at Bickington and we went to Buckfastleigh (sorry John) where Phil and Christine Burrows extracted their bikes from the car and accompanied us to Scoriton and Holne and arranged to meet us later at Widecombe for tea.

The ascent of Dartmoor-s eastern face began, and we rolled steadily on to Hexworthy and Huccaby Bridge, which in summer usually has a coach stuck on it. A short stretch of main road took us to Dunnabridge Pound, from where our track took us into the forest and thence to Bellever.

The Crowcombe bunch were hoping to rendezvous with us for 2.45 ish, so lunch was a leisurely affair beside the river. 3.05 and no other cyclists appeared, so we flexed our climbing muscles and took the long way to Widecombe-in-the-Moor via Ponsworthy.

Matthew and Andrew from Brixham rode on to cover their extra miles before dark, the rest of us invaded the café to build our strength for the big one up to Haytor and its reward, the long drop to Bovey Tracey. From there it’s lanes and such like back to Torbay.

(Robert Spence)

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