The Dunchideock ride at the end of September got off to a dull start, but Paul wasn’t dissuaded from returning for a second dose of our medicine. We set off bravely through Kingsteignton to the lanes. At this point Martin assured us that rain was on the way. Much to his disappointment the sky cleared before lunch, but this only served to give the sun a better view of Carl’s puncture – the first of our troubles that day. We hobbled across the dual carriageway in search of a more secluded lunch spot and were pleasantly surprised to find a picnic area in the forest complete with tables and benches.

An hour or so later, appetites had been satisfied, the puncture had been repaired and we were off – at least we would have been if Nigel’s tyre hadn’t decided to pick a thorn out of the undergrowth and puncture itself with it. A leisurely repair, accompanied by Robert’s accordion, was followed by the discovery of yet another puncture and a buckled wheel, and it was well into the afternoon when we finally escaped from the forest.

A whistle-stop drop through our destination and we were climbing up the other side. Unfortunately, on reaching the top, Robert realised that we should have turned off at the bottom, so down we went again, passing Don and the girls (!) coming up. If looks could kill .. ! It soon became apparent that Martin had done a rain dance back in the forest so we made a brisk return home via the Teign Valley before the weather became too unpleasant.

We subsequently discovered that Philip, after missing us at the start and pick-up points, completed the ride all by himself. It’s hardly surprising that he didn’t find us at lunchtime.

(Michael Jones)

[Attendance verified]

[2 points: Noel Downie]
[3 points: everyone else]

About fifteen attended the Section AGM at Colin’s house in Paignton, when the main things that were decided were that there would be “100” rides on 12th October and that Michael Jones would take on the Section Secretary’s job. It was a fairly short meeting as most of those present had ridden from the Buckfast/Haytor area.

(John Stuart)

[The attendance list for this event is currently incomplete]

Three new riders on the October afternoon run made numbers up to 15½, the fraction being contributed by Dave Eyres’ little boy, Richard, who rode as passenger. Richard Reade and Matthew Tewson of Paignton were two of our youngest riders for some time, and Mark Jones came along at Mark Morton’s invitation.

We took the lanes through Staverton and continued to Dartington Hall where we spent an enjoyable time walking (and rolling) around the gardens. Visitors must have been amused to see us all on hands and knees hunting for beech nuts – one word from Martin and we’ll do anything!

(Michael Jones)

We rode out early to Buckfastleigh to see the raft race, but it had already finished when we got there.

(Kevin Presland)

The routes for the 100 miles and 100km runs had this year been planned to allow Dartmoor members to begin at Ashburton, meeting up with the rest of the club at Drum Bridges. When we arrived we were pleased to welcome Michael Ward of Torquay on his first ride. We said farewell to Antony, Colin, Peter and John who had decided to attempt the 100-mile route.

Don led the kilometre bunch off to Liverton and the rest of us proceeded at a steady pace through Bovey Tracey and the Teign Valley. It was a cold morning but the sun was shining and we were soon enjoying ourselves. A short stop at Exeter to stock up with food and we were off again, pressing on through Pinhoe, Broadclyst and Cullompton before stopping for lunch at the usual spot.

The Exeter Sections were doing their kilometre rides today and it wasn’t long before we caught up with the large A-Section who were just finishing off their lunch. We rode with them from Waterloo Cross to Tiverton but our paths then parted as we turned southwards for Exeter and home.

Don and Grace kindly gave us tea, biscuits and moral support at Dawlish before the last lap to the finish and it was almost eight o’clock when we finally arrived home, tired and hungry. Congratulations to all riders who took part, especially young Nigel Wilson who completed 105 miles with a brave face, and our sympathy for our only casualty, Peter Adams, who was sadly forced to drop out of the “100 in 8” due to a minor injury (he pulled a muscle in his abdomen).

(Michael Jones)

Another special event upset the usual schedules today – Torbay’s annual visit to Salcombe youth hostel. Michael Ward was out again for his second ride and, after the addition of ten Dartmoor members at Totnes, we were quite a sizeable crowd. Kevin had decided it was about time he had some toeclips, so he was using some borrowed pedals for the weekend and bought some new pedals for £1.90 at Totnes to fit before next week.

We took the lanes through Harbertonford and Moreleigh and then continued past New Bridge to Churchstow. On again to West Alvington where we took the main road to Marlborough and dropped down towards Bolt Head and the youth hostel.

The day had been sunny and clear but now it was quite cold and we were glad to settle down to a nice hot meal. The highlight of the evening came when Don announced a competition, with chocolate for all who entered and a special YHA mug for the winner. Obviously we were all delighted with the idea, but then came the details: continue the sentence “I think Don is the greatest because ..” in not more than 249 words. All entries were to be judged by a panel of judges – Don!

Naturally, no-one missed the opportunity of saying everything they had ever wanted to about their Dawlish hero, and so, not surprisingly, only two or three odes were even considered for the prize. The winning entry was a poem by John Pope (which may be published elsewhere), but Val came a close second and was rewarded with an extra bar of chocolate.

(Michael Jones)

I bought new pedals in Totnes with toeclips for £1.90, so this was my first ride with

Next morning we awoke to the smell of porridge and, after lengthy debate, decided to get out and face it like men. Kevins hostel chore was to lay the breakfast table for us, and we reckoned he had done a fair job.

Revitalised we said goodbye to the Downie family, who were taking the short route home, and proceeded to Salcombe where we had planned to try out the ferry to East Portlemouth. Sadly Michael felt ill and could not face cycling back to Torquay, but just when we were trying to work out how to get him home, Don met a friend who happened to be going to Newton Abbot, so the problem was solved.

The ferry turned out to be little more than a dinghy but we were all across after three crossings and we thanked the ferryman for his trouble. Back on dry land again we continued through Chivelstone to Torcross for coffee and lunch before tackling the steep ascent to Strete. The road through Tuckenhay was scenic but provided us with more steep hills to climb and, after parting at Totnes, we were all glad to get home to a warm meal.

(Michael Jones)


Michael used up two final photos from his old 110 camera today

Back to normal for the last week in October with a day run and dull, miserable weather. Richard, Matthew and Mark re-joined us for their second ride, bringing attendance to 17, but unfortunately we hadn’t gone far past Holne before the heavens opened and spirits (amongst other things) were dampened. To make matters worse, Richard picked up an evasive puncture which moved twice to avoid Colin’s and Don’s patches, but eventually Don managed to corner it and we turned tail and headed for the Downie Nest in Buckfastleigh as quickly as possible.

By the time we arrived we were decidedly wet and words could not express our gratitude to Mrs Downie for the friendly fire and sumptuous tea – but no doubt she noticed our reluctance to leave, even at six o’clock! I certainly didn’t envy the Torbay crowd’s ride back to Marldon that night!

(Michael Jones)

Well into double figures on a very cold day for our November Afternoon Run. Included in the gathering was “MacBoyes of the Corrieyairack”, making a welcome emergence from semi-hibernation. There was a certain amount of sunshine to alleviate the effects of a biting wind, and our wander through East and West Ogwell was very pleasant, but when John collected a puncture the sun was already disappearing behind a cloudy horizon and the temperature reducing rapidly. A farm outbuilding stopped people freezing too quickly and, while most chatted with the friendly farmer, John’s tube was soon changed and we headed for home.

(Colin Brierly)

Carl and Mark got a puncture each according to my diary!

(Kevin Presland)

On another bright but cold day we were due to go to Chagford but, finding ourselves well behind schedule by the time we reached the top of Haytor, we decided to pay Bowerman’s Nose another visit. With care we managed to find spots out of the wind to sit and have our picnic before walking up the steep tracks to have a closer inspection of the “Nose”. We made a further stop to look at Becky Falls before the exhilarating run down to Bovey, then Teigngrace and home.

(Colin Brierly)

The two little children from Marldon were a bit slow today, and one of them got a puncture, which accounts for the delay getting to Haytor.

(Kevin Presland)

With a morning to fill in before the DA AGM at Chudleigh Knighton we found some roads that we don’t often use in the Haldon area. There were plenty of fine autumn colours to be seen, although the sun didn’t shine at the right time for much camera activity. We reached the top of Haldon above Ideford and then zig-zagged along the ridge for a few miles before dropping down the Chudleigh Old Road to the meeting venue.

(Colin Brierly)

[2 points: Frank Boyes, Iris Buckler, Philip Wrigley]
[3 points: everyone else]