With most of Torbay Section being north of the border on the 19th (another scorching day), only Allen, Colin, Kevin and myself went to Ayrmer Cove via Rolster Bridge, Gara Bridge and lots of up and down for good measure.

The Presland Mercian left us at Coldharbour Cross to ride to Plymouth, and thereby missed out on a not-too-crowded beach (average Grockles don’t find Ayrmer Cove ‘coz you can only reach it by a mile or so of paths) and a fine warm sea. We spent one and a half hours sunbathing, swimming and sandwich-eating before becoming aware that our cycle tyres were getting sunburnt in the extreme heat and could go bang at any minute.

The tidal road to Aveton Gifford was no problem, in fact I have never seen so little water in the river Avon. Lanes were followed to Woodleigh where the gentleman who refilled our water bottles gave us an interesting talk about building and racing stock cars. We had decided to skip tea at Kingsbridge and remain in traffic-free backroads to Harbertonford and beyond.

Our feet were cooled in Bow Creek and the resident ducks were most annoyed by this. Up and over to Totnes, followed by the almost unceasing climb of the Berry Pomeroy road to Five Lanes brought this truly summer’s day bike ride to a close.

(Robert Spence)

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