We rode up to Cross Furzes on a lovely sunny evening with a great turnout, and then on to Lud Gate. Ash somehow managed to burst his tube on the moor, and as he didn’t have a spare tube and had two holes the repair took around 15 minutes. This allowed everyone the time to get to know some friendly horses that were watching us from a nearby field.

By the time the tube was repaired the sun was low and it was getting cold – Michael’s fingers were freezing after repairing the tube. Most of the youngsters wanted to go back the way we had come as they were cold and wanted to be sure of enough game time! Ash, however, was determined not to miss out on the downhill to Chalk Ford so he pressed on at high speed and the rest of us went back home via Cross Furzes. Ash was pleased with himself when he arrived just 6 minutes after us, at 9.04.

Today was a one-day heatwave, but Jack had to leave by 2pm so we contented ourselves with a ride through Buckfast and Michelcombe to Holne play park where we spent some time playing on the rope swing and slides. Ash annoyingly had another front puncture, caused by sharp rim tape.

Holne Community Shop and Tearooms was disappointingly still not open despite its previously advertised opening date in May, so we returned home via the track to River Dart Country Park and then along the old Ashburton road. Everyone was pleased to reach the relative coolness of Crofters, although many later went out to enjoy the trampoline.

Today’s ride turned out to be especially good fun for everyone who took part. We parked the car on the road just beyond California Cross on a hot and sunny morning and rode the short distance through the lanes and down the hill to Aveton Gifford. We took the tidal road towards St Anne’s Chapel, entertained along the way by a man playing with his expensive radio-controlled speedboat on the river.

Ash was impressed with the luxury properties on the climb to St Anne’s, many of which had remote controlled gates and multiple garages. He imagined some might have underground garages full of luxury cars, rather like the game Test Drive that he plays frequently at the moment.

We bought some refreshments at the shop and sat down on the seat outside to eat them, then rode down the hill to the village of Ringmore. We had planned to take the bridleway down to the cove but ended up on the footpath instead which involved a style and a pleasant path across a field.

It was hot and sunny when we arrived at the beach. After eating lunch on the sand we explored the sea, trying to find our way out to one of the rocky islands: there were large patches of spooky-looking seaweed but we found a way that largely avoided that. The rocks underfoot were a bit sharp but we soon reached the island and then discovered a fabulous sheltered pool which kept the youngsters happy with endless dives.

Returning to the bikes we followed the bridleway back to Ringmore and then took the main road back to the car from St Anne’s Chapel. The lads really enjoyed today’s ride which was easily the best of the summer so far.

On a cloudy but dry morning we had a good turnout and, happily, everyone seemed up for a slightly longer ride today. We rode through Caddaford and arrived at Staverton Station just as a steam train pulled in. There were calls for fun in the park as we rode past, but Michael kept everyone focussed on the destination and was impressed when we arrived at Fermoy’s garden centre by 11.55.

Five ordered hot food, and as the sun was out now we tried one of the outside tables. This turned out to be a bit unstable however, and it soon got a bit chilly, so we moved inside to a large round table. After looking around both sections of the pet store we crossed the car park to check out the new falconry centre: the birds here were impressive, especially the Hedwig lookalike and the other large owls. Apparently anyone can fly a bird from the glove for £35 per hour!

We left around 1.25 and headed back to Broadhempston via Denbury. After playing in Broadhempston Play Park for fifteen minutes we headed home via Green Lane, arriving back at 3.10 for a trampolining and Call of Duty social until 4.30.

Some of our members were apparently “too sleepy” to come out today, but we proceeded with our planned ride to Dartmeet with Julian adding to our numbers.

We made good speed through Buckfast, Scoriton and Michelcombe, then raced a horse up to Holne. Whilst the weather was mainly dry at Holne it turned damp on top of the moor as we rode past Venford and Ash and Callum were getting anxious about the dark clouds. We took the track over the moor from Combestone Tor right down to the stepping stones over the Dart: the water level was not too high today so we were able to cross easily, although Jack was happy to let Ash carry his bike over.

We arrived at the Badgers Holt restaurant by 12.30 or so, enjoyed some tasty refreshments and then Ash purchased a doggy tax disc holder from the gift shop for his mother’s birthday. We then tackled the big climb of Dartmeet Hill which turned out to be hot work at times.

Dr Blackalls Drive offered the usual spectacular views over the Dart Valley, but progress was interrupted when Ash got a pinch puncture. Things were delayed further when Michael discovered that Jerry had failed to put the cap back on the repair fluid, leaving it solid and useless. Julian saved the day by loaning Ash his own spare tube.

We concluded a good ride with the rapid descent over the moor to New Bridge, the climb to Hembury and the final descent of the Slalom track. Arriving home by 3.10 we finished off the day with some Modern Warfare 2, although Julian spent some of the time watching the Tour de France.

This officially turned out to be our best ride of the summer. We rode to Ashburton on a glorious sunny morning and tackled Ausewell Hill with enthusiasm. Callum O’B got faster as he went up and it was a great feeling when he actually reached Cold East Cross with the rest of us. Just for a change this notoriously chilly cross roads was warm and very pleasant.

Jack had been really looking forward to visiting Bonehill again, a destination that had always been his favourite ride with the club. It was so good there today that we ended up spending 25 minutes there: everyone really enjoyed it and Callum O’B wanted us to visit again on another ride soon!

We took the track to Natsworthy and then followed the road down to Widecombe where we had a very enjoyable café stop in The Green restaurant: the milk shakes were nice, but not as good as the ones Michael makes at Crofters, even though they used the same Crusha syrup. We met ex-member Luke Fursdon in the car park, now running 15 acres of his parents’ farm and a b&b.

On the steep downhill into Ponsworthy Michael’s front brake cable snapped and had to be replaced. He was pleased to see that Ash and Jack were coming back up the hill to see where he was this time, an improvement on a recent ride to Staverton. We continued down the lane through Leusdon, made an adjustment to Callum O’Bs brakes and then rode along the grassy riverside at Spitchwick.

When Michael checked his pannier for his blue Aerobie Superdisc Ultra (Frisbee) it wasn’t there. He assumed he had left it at home, but in reality he had failed to pack it away after we used it at Spitchwick on Friday evening. If only he had realised he could have initiated a major search for it. Still, Spitchwick was very busy, so it was likely it had already been taken by someone.

Ash and Jack rode the Slalom on the way home, bringing us back to Buckfastleigh by 4.30. There was time for games until 5.15.

The forecast today had been for showers, but the day dawned bright and sunny and stayed that way for the whole ride. Jack wanted to take us to the Rare Breeds Centre café at Totnes where he works, so after setting off late at 10.45 we rode to Totnes weir via Colston Road, Dartington and the cycle path. Unfortunately Michael had left his camera at home in the kitchen, so we had to make do with smartphone photographs today.

After an altercation between Jerry and Callum O’B that involved the use of water bottles we made our way to the Rare Breeds café through Totnes steam station. This was indeed a delightful spot, apparently frequented by many CTC cycle groups. Michael was very satisfied with his latte and coffee cake, and others were equally happy with their Shmoo milkshakes and tea, so we ended up spending a very enjoyable time here - we’ll undoubtedly be returning again in the near future.

The crew were all up for returning by a different route, so we continued along the path to Totnes and then returned home via Littlehempston and Staverton, getting back for around 2.10.