Budgie led Paul, Philip and Edward on a wet morning ride to Scoriton, Holne and Combe.

Risk proved to be our favourite board game yet again.

For a change we tried the track descent to Topsham Bridge from Moreleigh. It turned out to be very rough and muddy, so Chris, Neil, Paul and Tao chickened out half-way down and took the escape track back to the road at Preston Farm. Those of us who continued had to contend with rocks, mud, nettles and a lake of muddy water that stretched across the lane.

We ate lunch on the path of the old railway line, overlooking the river Avon in full flood, and returned via South Brent and the Copper Kettle cafe.

We found a long and devious route through Avonwick and Diptford to the interesting lanes around Stert Barton. Return was via Tigley and Rattery. We were pleased to welcome Dave Robinson on this afternoon’s ride, and sorry that Janet and Chan Beevers were not able to join us as planned.

The turn-out would have been just two if Kevin Presland hadn’t decided to drop in on the ride unexpectedly. The cafe at Caononteign Falls is not Kevin’s favourite, but we nevertheless enjoyed some excellent drinks there before pressing on through the Teign Valley.

If the name Cotley Castle had conjured up images of towering stone walls and pointed turrets in our minds, we were certainly disappointed with the circular bank that we found in the woodlands on Haldon! It was peaceful and sheltered, however, and made an excellent lunch stop.

We rode through the River Dart Country Park on the outward journey, struggled up Holne Chase and descended speedily to New Bridge. Janet and Chan did well considering they had ridden from Totnes, but it seemed sensible to rest at New Bridge while the regulars climbed to Poundsgate and did the famous track descent back to New Bridge.

Dave Robinson had joined us again from Paignton, but today he was on his son’s bike and complained bitterly about the hard saddle.

Michael had car problems and the forecast was bad, so the ride was diverted to the Copper Kettle cafe at South Brent, where Plymouth Section were comfortably ensconced. They didn’t seem worried about the prospect of rain, but as we set off for Buckfastleigh the first drops began to fall. A social at Crofters seemed to be the order of the day.

Good Friday was our first evening ride of the season. Blessed with the company of Matthew Hamlyn-White and his sidekick Andrew Guy we enjoyed a leisurely ride through Staverton, Landscove and Pridhamsleigh.

John Stuart, back in Devon for Easter, and Daniel Broadbent from Totnes boosted numbers to 11 for today’s wet Easter ride to Broadhempston. Everyone was determined to attend the ride despite the rain because Michael had promised an Easter egg for all those who turned up!

Michael selected a tortuous route to Broadhempston to make certain that everyone earned their eggs. Surprisingly, however, the ride was great fun - once we were wet the rain didn’t really bother us!

The ride was concluded with a visit to Landscove for afternoon tea. We would have sat in the cafe for the remainder of the afternoon, but the queues were building for our seats.

Ride abandoned owing to bad weather.