THE 2018 Dartmoor Classic Sportive was run in probably the most testing of conditions in the event’s 12 years.

All 2,500 plus riders left the Newton Abbot race headquarters in the dry but very soon afterward the rain fell in torrents.

Organised by Mid Devon Cycling Club traditionally there are three routes that participants can enter – The Grande (107 miles/ 173 kilometres), the Medio (67 miles/ 109 km) or the Piccolo (38 miles/2 km).

Ken Robertson of the MDCC, said: ‘Many any riders seemed unprepared for the conditions despite being warned in the event manual that ‘the weather conditions on Dartmoor can change from benign to evil in minutes.

‘It forced many to abandon their ride or cut the distance back from the 107 miles to 68 miles or even 38 miles.

‘The well stocked food station at Princetown proved the last stop for many of the riders. The medical staff there, aided by the Dartmoor Search and Rescue, Ashburton group, saw that the riders were suitably warmed up and sent back to HQ by bus and car.

‘Despite the conditions the elements eased and for some the final miles were in the dry.  All who completed their chosen distance were able to look back on a day’s riding with a great deal of satisfaction. This included a party of 30 plus Dutch riders who had crossed to Devon.

‘One of their lady riders said she was soaking up the atmosphere and remembering the scenes as painted in the Honda of the Baskervilles!’

Stewart Bergman, also of MDCC: ‘The rains did create us more work but all in all it went pretty well.

The event is not a race but a ‘challenge’ and we had riders aged from 13, the youngest who took part in the Piccolo to riders in their mid 70s.

The way we look at it is that we will have riders of all ages, gender and abilities and that 33 per cent of them will earn a gold medal, 33 per cent a silver and 33 per cent a bronze.’

We did have about 20 riders who arrived in Princetown very cold and wet but they were given a blanket and a cup of tea.’

Children’s charity CHICKs, based at Brentor, was chosen as this year’s beneficiary good cause.