The last club-run of ’84 was well attended, with fourteen of us taking the air and also the Bovey to Moretonhampstead road, turning off after Wray Barton to climb and gasp our way past the 1000 feet contour, though the view back down the valley was worth it. Onward past Mardon Down and Butterdon Hill to reach the top of the “test hill” which was at this time of year wet, muddy and very slippery with its loose surface.

Lunch was taken amidst the trees before the steep bits were tackled and Richard mended his puncture. Then the wrist-snapping descent began, requiring full concentration from those who rode it. At Fingle Bridge at last, we admired the fine old motorbikes of a vintage club, while Richard mended his other puncture!

Most of us elected to take the Nature Trail through Cod Wood, having reached Clifford Bridge, and so began a ride of a couple of miles of what resembled Florida’s Everglades. When we rested our bikes outside the café at Steps Bridge, the mud on them obscured minor details such as frame tubes, wheels and handlebars!

Light rain in the gathering dusk encouraged us to keep a brisk pace down the Teign Valley and we went our separate ways at Chudleigh Bridge after our warm and fairly sunny day’s ride.

(Robert Spence)

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