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)

Not so nice the next Sunday, when Topsham Bridge was the destination – no, not the one where the devil hangs out in Ken and Iris’s parish, but on the river Avon, downstream from Gara Bridge. It was nice to have an addition to the female strength, with a friend of Frances’ – Kim Marshall – out for the first and, we hope, not the last time.

We took the lanes to Harbertonford and Moreleigh before dropping to our destination down the “white road”, which inevitably had a hundred yard section where white was a very inaccurate term! There was, however, a grassy bank where the bikes could be carried and feet kept clean, so no harm was done, although Michael Ward did find a different route that wasn’t quite as clean!

Fairly cool but not too wet for our picnic, with the bridge giving a bit of shelter from the wind. We were pleased that Iris Buckler could join us, even if only for a few miles from the lunch spot to where we turned off to Gara Bridge. We headed home past Curtisknowle and Crabadon in an attempt to beat the impeding rain.

(Colin Brierly)

[2 points: Iris Buckler]

On Sunday, Ralph rode over from his home in Taunton to join us, and then led the Exeter B-section back to his home for our morning coffee break – thanks Sheila for the super cakes! This was to be Ralph’s last ride for a while, as the next Sunday he was going into hospital to have an operation on his eyes for cataracts. I am glad to report that he has been able to have both eyes done and that he is getting on very well. We all hope it won’t be too long before he is back on his bike and riding with us again – we miss his smiling face!

From Taunton we took the lane route through Langford Budville and Bathealton, finding a sheltered spot for lunch. Then it was on to Rockwell Green, along some more lanes, up and down a few hills, across the railway line and over the M5 to ride down to Willand for tea, which ended a good weekend awheel.

(Jean Luxton)

Hard headwind and showers Lunch in a bus shelter. Colin and Jean took tandem to top of Longdown on roof of car.

(Kevin Presland, diary extract)

I believe Torbay Section rode home on a more direct route, through Wiveliscombe.

(Michael Jones, 2018)

The Rough Stuff was well-supported by Torbay, with sixteen members riding out to Haldon in the morning. When lunch had been eaten in the glade, ten of our number decided to brave the competition, including Jason, Justin and Glenn, and Colin and Stephen Downer. As official photographer I was excused this year! A full report by the organiser appears below, but I think it may be said that everyone enjoyed themselves. It was, as always, a pleasure to spend the afternoon with the A Section.

(Michael Jones)

This year the event was based on a small triangle of woodland near Thorns Cross on Haldon, and several observed sections were marked on a decreasing scale of severity according to the riders’ performance. The premium was on good control, especially in turning, and generally the whole entry coped well with the obstacles.

There was a preponderance of juniors among the entry as many of the Bs were away on an Audax ride. Consequently juniors figured high in the results. Overall winner and best junior was Colin Rowe who beat almost the whole course, following closely by Mark Morton and Andrew Rowcliffe. Amongst the ladies, Julie Strong pipped her mother by virtue of the tie-break.

May I say many thanks to the entrants for making the event successful and worthwhile, and further thanks to the marshals who delighted in deducting marks from the said entrants. Our thanks are also due to the Brierlys for refreshments afterwards: “trade” was excellent.

A full list of positions follows.

1 Colin Rowe
2 M Morton
3 A Rowcliffe
4 A Bethke
5 C Brierly
6 K Presland
7 M Fillan
8 M Greatorex
9 S Wellaway
10 M Fowler
11 S Downer
12 D Webber
13 P Fildew
14 M Dalley
15 C Downer
16 D Hassall
17 J Landen
18 K Strong
19 G Powling
20 J Parnell
21 Julie Strong
22 Iris Strong

(Arthur Browne)

[2 points: Colin Downie, Nigel Wilson]
[4 points: everyone else]