A devilish ride across Dartmoor ranks as one of the best in history

A record field, including riders from Switzerland, Scotland and Wales, helped to make the 32nd Dartmoor Devil marathon bike ride one of the most successful in its history.

Entries topped 250, with 199 eventually reporting to the start/finish point at Bovey Tracey’s Cromwell Arms. The gruelling 70-mile route kicked off immediately with the 1-in-7 ascent of Bovey’s Hind Street.

More than 8,000 feet of climbing tested the legs of the field to the limit as they headed to Bickington, Widecombe, Manaton, the Wray Valley, back onto the moor to stops at Wonson (Northmore Arms) and Princetown (Plume of Feathers) and then back to Bovey via the ‘walls’ of Dartmeet and Widecombe hills.

The fastest of the early (8am) starters were back at Bovey in six hours, although the last riders home did not arrive until 6.30pm.

Among the finishers were Kevin Presland, completing his 25th Devil, while fellow South Devon CTC members Dave Prudden and Steve Main both logged up 18 editions.

The event raised money for the Devon Air Ambulance.

Mid-Devon Cycling Club sisters Eva and Lauren Fox made it a family double with wins at Round Seven of the South West Cyclo-Cross League at the Exeter Bike Park near Kennford.

Eva was the first Junior Female, while national road circuit champion Lauren continued her comeback from tackling asthma with a win in the Under-16 group.

Other MDCC results: Vet50 – 6 James Bovey; U16 – 3 James Allen, 5 Omar Wilson; U14 – 5 Oliver Gray; U12 – 4 Freddie Simcock, 12 Henry Hatton, 17 George Bleloch; U10 – 4 Caspian Wikeley, 5 Risu Wikeley, 13 Jenson Scott.