A cloudy start to a beautiful day on the 16th of September for our run to Start Point. Two of us got to Totnes half an hour before the others, so we had a ‘cuppa’ before Michael and Andy arrived. As we were aiming to land at Start Point by lunchtime we were soon heading into the lanes.

Julie Strong commented that it was like being on holiday because of the contrast between South Devon and the Exeter area.

As soon as we arrived at the destination, Andy dived for his lunch box in a frenzied fit of hunger. We planted ourselves on the outcrop in the steep banks of the cliff, eating our packed lunches. By now the sun was bursting from the heavens and glaring on both the sea and the ghost town of Hallsands below.

After we had been fed and watered, we dropped down into Hallsands, popping into the hotel for ice-creams and other miscellaneous things. Then we manoeuvred ourselves and our bikes along the steep cliff path, which was not easy. Grinding to a halt at Torcross we pigged more ice-cream - this time it was a double helping!

Michael and Andy departed from us at Strete, and Julie and I continued on back across the higher ferry at Dartmouth.

(Richard Wiseman)

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

Many more out on the October Afternoon Run, and it was the day of the River Dart Raft Race, so we headed for Staverton to see some of the back markers. There was plenty of activity at the bridge, including a first aid team who I think had one or two customers, although the rafts seemed to be the main things that were suffering. The Baked Potato man seemed to be doing a very good trade and this was further boosted by some of our hungrier members before we wandered on to the finish at Totnes.

Here again the bridge and Island were absolutely teeming with people, and refreshment tents seemed to be doing business whilst rafts of all shapes and sizes were propelled, with a brave show of vigour, over the last few hundred yards.

A general dispersal from Totnes with members heading back to Torbay, Buckfast, Ipplepen or Plymouth.

(Colin Brierly)

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

(Sadly, no report was written for this ride, but Colin takes up the story when he met us at Torcross.)

I didn’t get around to counting how many had been at Salcombe but there were quite a crowd sitting by the Sherman tank having a picnic.

The Ley and reed beds looked superb as we rode along Slapton and, after a further pause to admire the sea view from halfway up the hill to Strete, we headed for Tideford. We took the steep rough drop of “Corkscrew Hill” down into Tuckenhay and then for a change had a look at Ashprington before the descent to Totnes and home.

(Colin Brierly)

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

[These are the very last Torbay Section slides available from Michael]

Saturday was a nice day, and Jean and I were keen to have a look at Berrynarbor and Combe Martin while others liked the idea of Whistlandpound Reservoir, so from Barnstaple we went our separate ways. Our route took us up to Muddiford (which brought back memories of forty-five miles home to Exeter after tea in the old fit days) and then a hard climb up to Berry Down Cross followed by very steep drops into Sterridge Valley, which cost us a spoke in the front wheel.

Again, a pleasant sunny spot outside Berrynarbor church for our picnic lunch before heading up through the highly commercialised Combe Martin and another very hard climb over Trentishoe Down to Hunters Inn. Here we met up with the rest of the Section and we all took the coastal path to Woody Bay and the Valley of the Rocks, heading for Lynton hostel.

Another good meal, and most went for a stroll to celebrate an eighteenth and a twenty first birthday!

(Colin Brierly)

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