The beautiful sunny weather on the 29th brought nine cyclists out to Bickington, although Colin Downie left us before lunchtime. It was good to see Robert Downie out for his first Sunday ride, and we hope to see lots more of him. We climbed up from Bickington onto Haytor and then turned left to Cold East Cross, near which we found a peaceful spot by a small stream for lunch. When fully rested we headed towards Dartmeet.

We stopped halfway down the hill into Dartmeet and a hunt began for the Coffin Stone, against which, legend has it, the coffins of numerous people were rested on their journey to the place of burial. Good old John found out, and a suitable pose was taken for a photograph.

We then dropped down to the river and took a path along the West Dart. Thus began the search for Pixie’s Cave. After quite some time a shout brought us running – the cave had been discovered. It was just large enough to squeeze through on our stomachs, and although all we achieved by crawling through it was to get muddy and to be showered with leaves by a certain pixie in a green cycling jersey called Mark, it was great fun.

When we got back to the bike it was decided to take a short cut through the woods by the river in order to avoid the hill out of Dartmeet and those near Hexworthy. It was Kevin’s idea, and by the time the path had completely deteriorated and we were scrambling over rocks and streams with our bikes, he was not particularly popular! Congratulations to Robert, who must have a lot of stamina and did well to keep going over such rough ground – I assure you that our rides are not all quite like this!

Finally, when the light had completely gone, we arrived at the road. Unfortunately we had not avoided the hills at Hexworthy because the stepping stones across the river had been covered with water (we do some strange things, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to swim across).

As the shortcut was somewhat longer than expected it was not until 5.45 that we reached Buckfastleigh and Redmount (Michael’s home). Here, tea was waiting. Many thanks to Mr and Mrs Jones for providing the food – we certainly needed it – and thanks also to those who arrived for tea at 4.00 but waited until we got there.

After tea, Don, alias Dickie Duck, got out his CB radio which was a great source of entertainment. Then it was decided that Kevin should do something to make up for sending us on a rather long detour, so out came the songbooks and once again we ran through our repertoire of Christmas Carols. I think we should be in fine voice by the 25th December.

It took some willpower to drag ourselves away from the blazing fire in the hearth, but we had to get home, and thus ended a really enjoyable month of cycling.

(Frances Lofty)

[1 point: Sue Shepley, Michael Ward, Jean Brierly, Kevin Philips, Don Hassall, Grace Hassall, Chris Thomas, Father Philips]
[2 points: Colin Downie]
[3 points: Phil Benstead, Robert Downie]
[4 points: Mark Morton, Colin Brierly, Michael Jones, Kevin Presland, John Stuart, Frances Lofty]

The Annual Dinner provides a great opportunity to meet up with fellow members across the DA, and this year's event at the Trecarn Hotel, Torquay was no exception. Personally I would have been happy to leave when the excellent meal and after-dinner speeches were complete, but some of our members joined the dance, as you can see from the photos.

(Michael Jones)

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]

No report was written on this event at the time, but Torbay Section members drove up to the Exeter Clubroom to join in with their annual Chrsitmas Party. Many thanks to the organisers for putting on a very enjoyable evening that was well attended by both Exeter and Torbay Sections.

(Michael Jones)

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]

On a very misty 17th, sixteen members attended to inspect the markings on the Ten Commandments Stone near Buckland-in-the-Moor, including a new 14-year-old, Robert Leeke, from Totnes. Jason was also out again, accompanied by Glenn. Punctures at our Ashburton pickup delayed progress by half an hour, and the long climb towards Haytor made certain that lunch would be eaten before there was any thought of looking for the stone. We settled in a convenient field to enjoy lunch, which for me included turkey and snow sandwiches, fruit snow and snow coffee – you see there was a snowball fight going on all around me!

We trudged up the hill through the mist, trying to follow a rather indistinct path and the shouts of those ahead. Now, somewhere around here there should be a massive great hill; ah, there was a style, and .. yes .. there was Buckland Beacon, materialising out of the mist. Sure enough, the Ten Commandments Stone was there in all its glory. The stone-mason commissioned to do the job in 1926 had more or less lived there for several months, according to Claude Warren, and we could well believe it as we read the intricate laws of life carved into the huge stone tablets.

On the return journey, more snow found its way down my neck, placed there by a certain young gentleman who shall remain nameless, but rides a Falcon. Cold East Cross and Haytor took us temptingly close to Kevin’s house: the temptation proved irresistible and there were cups of tea all round before we set off down the hill to Drum Bridges and home – thanks Kevin!

(Michael Jones)

[1 point: Colin Downie]
[2 points: Iris Buckler]

Things were a little more energetic the following week. Seventeen riders took part in all, including – wait for it – yet another new rider, 16-year-old Andrew Giles from Ideford Combe. The Marldon brigade were out in force this time, obviously keen to tackle the ride. We were also pleased to see Paul Kerr on the bike again, following a major overhaul (of the bike I mean). The weather was generally bright during the morning, and the countryside looked very attractive as we passed through Sandygate and Ideford to Luton. I’ll bet everyone was pleased that we didn’t have to climb that delightful hill called “Little Haldon” – if that’s little, I don’t fancy coming across any big ones!

Rixdale is, according to Colin, one of the easiest crossings over Haldon, and it certainly didn’t feel too bad as we descended the hairpins to Milton. Don, Michael and Frances were waiting for us just before Langdon and we had lunch near Gulliford on the wide grass verge. I still don’t know why I never get any peace at lunchtimes! And so via Black Forest Lodge to Kenton and, finally, to our destination – the Kenn Valley. Kevin chose the crossroads near Willsworthy to collect another puncture; when this had been fixed we continued towards Kenn beside the river Kenn.

On the way, Paul and I noticed a most peculiar sign – it was a red triangular one, like that used for roadworks, except that the silhouette was of a girl kicking a ball down a ramp! Perhaps the people of Kenn were warning us that the lady inhabitants are not to be tangled with!

Crossing the A38 at Kennford we continued along the valley through Clapham to Dunchideock, where time and tide told us that it was time to leave the river Kenn and make tracks for home – one day we’ll have to find the source, which isn’t far from Dunchideock.

The “tracks” towards Torbay which we made were not easy ones at first, involving a long climb up to Webberton Cross. Here, Justin had his first puncture (“I’ll never get a puncture..!”). When repairs has been effected we proceeded past Laurence Castle and then enjoyed the benefits of all that climbing as we dropped down through Trusham to the Teign Valley. Dartmoor and Torbay riders parted at Chudleigh Knighton. I understand that one or two young lads were beginning to feel just how many miles they had done that day as they cycled back to Marldon – well done, all of you.

(Michael Jones)

I missed the main bunch from Buckfastleigh at the Glendennings meeting point so had to chase on to the Newton Abbot pickup point to catch everyone up.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

Twenty five lads and lassies rode down to Maypool youth hostel on Saturday 13th February, using the coast route. Iris and I drove down later in the day to attend the St Valentines Party held at the hostel.

It’s a long time since we visited what I think is one of the nicest hostels in the region. I have very fond memories of weekends spent there with Cliff Charlton as master of ceremonies in similar games and fun back when we first joined the Bees. With this in mind I called on Cliff to see if he still had the crazy games he used to set up for us. We were in luck – he very kindly found them and brought them round for us to take. On opening the box we saw to our amazement score cards of Iris and Jean Brierly from way back in the early fifties.

There were a good crowd at the hostel, and I hope they enjoyed their evening’s happenings. We certainly enjoyed the warden’s food and hospitality. Please support them at Maypool as much as possible, as there is talk of having to close the hostel if it doesn’t get more usage this year.

(Ken Strong, Exeter A-Section)