Due to meet the group at 9.30 Jeff (TTR 250) and Barney (KTM 525) arrived at my house in good time for a gentle ride to Roborough, taking in a couple of lanes en- route. The day's plan started to unravel at this point...I was not ready! Eventually we set off and the first time I took my hand off the throttle it stayed open. Immediate steps were taken to effect a repair (thanks Barney) and we then headed towards Roborough post haste, arriving late and realising that I'd left my freshly printed section of map behind.

Already at the start were Bonny (Serow), Brian (CRF 230) and David the Rain Monkey (XR 250 kicker), bikes finely fettled and tuned to the peak of perfection and they were itching to get going, so we did.

Very shortly we were into the first lane, not one of my personal favourites, but a good one to warm up on. Waiting at the end, on the tarmac, I wondered where Barney had gone as he had been at number two and I couldn't continue until he was with me to point the way for the others. In due course he arrived, a little wet ( well soaked really), having decided that he had time to indulge in a spot of trout tickling.

We moved on to the many gated second lane, the first section of which is now well chewed up by farm vehicles, but I was unaware of any problems behind me.

The height of the tide precluded a crossing, so we diverted via the alternative lane to arrive at the top of 201-044 which Jeff took Bonny, Brian and David down whilst Barney and I positioned ourselves at the trickiest part ready to push and shove as required. A sensible option for Barney who was on his first proper ride- out since breaking his ankle 6 weeks previously. While waiting for the others to hit the bottom and return we saw three of the 'Group D Motorcycles' riders, also going down, on their team practise for the forthcoming Ten Tors Trial. As regular Enduro riders they will find it a little different to their usual competition.

Both Brian and David took the right hand line and lost their rear wheels on the canted rock slab while Bonny took the left hand line and bounced and footed her way up the steps, as did Jeff but without the footwork! This was followed by a slither around the edge of the estuary, in both directions before we headed off to 201- 043 and followed this with the other two local lanes before a little road work brought us to 201- 063.. We were held up for a while as the area had to be made safe before we could progress past the shotgun club onto 201- 037. Onward to the dead end, tame and benign 201- 036 ( I always ride this lane when leading just so it can go on the 'Lanes Ridden' form for our ROW officer).

Several more lanes brought us into Cornwall. At the usual fuel stop at Pearces we decided to miss the local lanes and head directly to Louis Tea Rooms for a sociable lunch. Brian had pressing things to attend to at home so he left us but David came along and partook of the feast before heading back to Plymouth. We sat outside, in gorgeous weather, admiring the view and enjoying the craic - we dallied over lunch..there was no rush, we were out for the day !

David now left us and as he rode out of the car park I saw his lips moving. I assumed that he was saying further goodbyes, but within minutes, before we hit the next lane, it started to rain. Soon it was raining heavily and very quickly we were drenched through. The visibility rapidly worsened and the lunchtime fine weather was but a pleasant memory.With hindsight David was obviously muttering some foul incantation to the god of foul weather to really stick it to us. Now, whether this was because he had to leave us and he was insanely jealous of our day passes or it was nothing personal and he just wanted to keep up his average, as it were, I have no idea, but it was proof enough, to me anyway, that he is aptly nicknamed as The Rain Monkey!

Never mind, nothing was going to stop us and every adversity produces a benefit. It is well known to regular TVTR riders that at every fag stop, tea stop, lunch stop, puncture repair stop, mechanical repair stop or just a plain stop, our Bonny has a penchant for removing her clothing! Consequently when the team are ready to move, Bonny is still often only half clothed. The benefit today was that the weather was too bad for the removal of clothing, the ride kept moving and we kept warm.

Barney, on his first ride out since his ankle break was steadily gaining in confidence, both in his own ability, his bikes capability and the strength of the pins in his ankle. Good job we didn't ride past a large magnet then? The route called for a descent of 201- 037, sometimes known as Angel Steps, where I waited at the bottom while Jeff, Barney and the fully clothed Bonny ascended and descended again. Why didn't I join them? I'm a coward and if I had been killed it would have ruined their ride. Presumably if that unfortunate circumstance had occurred Jeff would have had to take the lead, Barney as the new boy would have settled into the number two slot thus leaving Bonny's rear completely unprotected, and those of us who have had the task of riding behind her know how much she likes her rear covered.

The weather was by now really closed in and darkness was approaching fast as we reached the lanes which together produce our longest lane. It has everything..... loose rock, mud, fords, deep puddles, forest track and open moor..... but no rocky ascent. No wonder I like it!. Everyone was happy to progress at their own pace and at the far end we turned round and did it all again, necessary because there would be a few road miles to the next lane and we needed to get back to Tavistock..

210- 006 had to be ridden, by now it was almost completely dark and with the mist rolling in from somewhere.  We turned at the end and rode back along it, none of us wishing to spend too much time on the main road in those conditions especially as one of us suddenly had no rear lights at all (me){it was a duff bulb holder}. Half way back to Tavistock Barney realised that these old eyes, in combination with the inclement weather conditions and the 400's feeble headlight, were producing a speed that was almost requiring a feathering of the clutch. He kindly took the lead and gave me his tail light to follow while Jeff gave me the benefit of his TTR's superior headlight, from behind.

Fortunately we all arrived at our respective homes unscathed and ready to fight another day.

Thanks to all the riders who took part. Once again it was a great days fun, the kind of day I shall remember when I'm sitting in the old folks home sucking my gums.