Today was a day for exploration of new territory. On many previous visits to Dr Blackall's drive we had viewed a mysterious and isolated tor on the other side of the deep, wooded valley carrying the river Dart from Dartmeet to New Bridge. Today we planned to stand there, so with maps to the ready we rode the long climb through Holne to Venford Reservoir and then took to the track that leads from the nearside car park. None of us had ever been this way before, so there was a certain amount of excitement in the air.

Our destination was Bench Tor, posed high above the steep wooded slopes and offering commanding views that must be among the finest on Dartmoor. After watching the river wending its way far below us and the hawk hovering higher and higher above the trees we had to conclude that these views were probably as good as many in Scotland.

We searched for a track that might take us down into the valley to meet up with the riverside path and were quickly rewarded with a well-marked but fairly steep descent into the woods. This soon met up with the water authority track that takes the pipes from the reservoir, so we decided to follow that in the hope that it would lead us downwards. It was excellent for a while, offering good riding amongst splendid scenery, but then it climbed steeply and eventually brought us to the top of the woods and the entrance to West Stoke fields. There was nothing for it but to follow the fence directly downwards, a descent that was difficult at times and particularly challenging for Gavin who attempted to ride a particularly steep section and was catapulted over his bike. Perhaps next time we'll make the descent much earlier.

We soon reached the path. Lunch was enjoyed by the river at Sharran's Pool while Gavin nursed his minor wounds. It really was a good feeling to be in such a remote and unfamiliar location and yet so close to home. A few spots of rain gave little clue to the downpour that was on its way, and after a short spin along the easy woodland path we were soon sheltering under dense-leafed trees hoping the rain would pass. Sadly the leaves didn't hold back the torrent for long, so we just headed on through the woods past waterfalls and steep drops, feeling very much as though we were in a foreign land.

The rain stopped as we arrived at New Bridge. Being totally drenched we felt we'd done enough exploring for one day, but perhaps we'll be looking for more new destinations as the summer progresses.

Ride abandoned owing to bad weather.

With Joe on a borrowed bike, Keir with a minor hand injury and Jack on his first ride for several weeks we didn't actually expect to make it to Avon Dam this evening. Everyone was still keen after climbing the hill around Harbourneford however, so we pressed on at the best possible speed and were amazed when we reached the dam by 8.50. Keir needed to borrow a fleece to combat the dropping temperatures but once we were on the descent there was no stopping him - or Jack for that matter. Congratulations to both on completing their hardest evening ride yet.

A late start was inevitable when Tao asked Michael for a puncture kit as soon as he emerged from his car at 10.05. Coupled with Oliver's late arrival, Joe needing tools to fix a new jockey wheel to his derailleur and Gavin discovering a puncture too, we didn't get away until 10.38.

Everyone was impressed with the newly extended Big Peaks shop at Ashburton which now offers a good range of cycling equipment. Soon we were on the long climb from Bickington to Haytor, helpfully divided into 8 stages to assist new rider Gage in gauging progress to the top. He did so well that we were able to make up much of the lost time and enjoy lunch on the old tramway near Haytor quarry. Gage even kept us entertained over lunch by instantly finding two Dartmoor letterboxes and bringing them to us for signing. Tao was amazed, and also realised why he had never been able to find them before - he had been looking for red boxes, not Tupperware boxes!

The bridleway descent into the steep-sided Lustleigh valley behind Haytor was every bit as challenging and exciting as we had expected - and the subsequent climb was every bit as tough as it had looked from Smallacombe rocks! Ruins of the medieval village of Hundatora, abandoned in 1350, cross the bridleway en route to Houndtor. Around 8 houses can be seen, including the manor house shown in the picture. In all the houses cattle and people shared the same space. A long descent from Houndtor brought is to the car park refreshment van: queues were rather lengthy, but the table and chairs were ideal.

Tao came up with the idea of returning home via Cold East Cross, Buckland, Spitchwick and Hembury, a route that made a very enjoyable conclusion to an excellent ride. Congratulations to Gage on completing a challenging first ride with no difficulty at all.

There were no juniors on this evening's ride, but Matthew and Michael enjoyed an energetic spin through Staverton and Broadhempston.

With drizzle and outbreaks of rain forecast we decided on a route through Buckfast that would allow speedy return if the weather turned nasty. The rough track through Burchetts Wood provided the first fun of the evening, Gage providing entertainment at the end by riding through the ford and discovering that it was deeper than he expected. Scoriton and Michelcombe brought us swiftly to Holne where the play park provided plenty of opportunity for rest and relaxation. Harry, who was performing well on his first Friday ride, had brought swimming goggles to combat the drizzle that was now beginning to fall, but poor sideways visibility meant he couldn't keep them on for long.

To conclude an enjoyable evening we took the track from Gallant Le Bower to River Dart Country Park and returned via the road from Ashburton. Ben seemed to enjoy his first ride so we hope he will find time to join us again.

We really weren't sure how far Jack would be able to ride on his first day ride. He had done well by the time we reached South Brent, so when everyone had bought what they needed from Plymco we set off boldly for Ermington and Mothecombe. The route includes plenty of downhill riding and everyone did well, so we arrived at the beach shortly before 1pm on what turned out to be a bright and sunny afternoon.

It was as we were settling down to eat lunch that we noticed that Will didn't have anything to eat at all. He had got up too late to pack lunch or money, and had said nothing while we were in the shop at Plymco! Tao gave him his crisps and Michael a piece of his Lemon Meringue pie, and with some rations from our mobile chocolate shop he managed to put together an acceptable meal. Gage and Joe enjoyed riding all over the estuary and everyone joined in the Aerobie game.

In order to return home by a different route we needed to cross the Erme estuary. With the tide out to its fullest extent the task was relatively easy today, and lots of fun in the warm shallow waters. Michael advised everyone to cross barefoot to avoid getting wet trainers, but of course Will and Joe just had to try riding it, with the usual inevitable consequences. Jack enjoyed the wading part so much that he spent another 20 minutes wandering up the river.

When shoes had been reunited with feet we took the easiest route home via California Cross garage, which provide welcome refreshments for the final leg of the journey through South Brent. Jack did incredibly well to complete 35 miles on his first Sunday ride, and Gage also deserves a commendation for doing so well on his third ever club ride.

Matthew's suggestion of taking the track from half-way up Hembury hill started us out on an enjoyable but somewhat muddy adventure. Matthew managed to miscalculate the size of a log and ended up flipping himself spectacularly into the air - much to the amusement of the girls! Recent storms had brought down several trees along the final section of track by the river, making progress even slower than usual.

By the time we reached River Dart Adventures (the new name for River Dart Country Park) we decided to skip the planned climb to Gallant Le Bower and ride instead along the bridleway near Hele. This was another of Matthew's suggestions, so we weren't completely surprised when the second part turned out to be a sea of wet, smelly cow dung! We spread plenty of manure on the roads into Ashburton, then took the back road home to Buckfastleigh.

9-year-old Harry amazed everyone this evening by powering up the long climb from Buckfast to Cross Furzes as though he'd been doing Friday rides for months! Sunshine greeted us as we passed through Lud Gate onto the open moor, and swarms of midges welcomed us to Chalk Ford after we had enjoyed the long moorland descent: the sounds emanating from the tents seemed to suggest that the insects had found a way inside! We didn't hang around too long to find out, pressing onwards along the stony track to Scoriton and then home via Combe and Buckfast.

Michael was using Neil's mountain bike today as his Mercian was temporarily out of action with a split rim - and yes, everyone had been telling him to change it for weeks, but he always likes to get the maximum possible use out of his components! Progress was slow before lunch, with Gavin needing to stop at Ashburton to replace his tyre and tube, and everyone stopping to buy lunch at Bovey Tracey. But the pace picked up on the disused railway track to Lustleigh and we were soon enjoying the exciting tracks into the Cleave, snaking perilously around boulders and trees to the bottom of the Wrey valley.

A narrow log footbridge crosses the Manaton Water, just wide enough to walk as long as you carry your bike. After enjoying lunch by the brook we set about climbing the far side, through steep woodland owned by English Nature. Louis wasn't too impressed with all the climbing, but he was a good deal happier when we started the descent through more woodland tracks, this time owned by the Woodland Trust. Remembering previous encounters with the owners of the Becky Falls estate we kept strictly to the footpath and continued onwards through some new sections of track to the road near Manaton village.

Next stop was Manaton village hall, converted for one afternoon into a cafe serving cream teas. The squashes were so small that we needed four or five to quench our thirst, but at 30p each we couldn't really complain. We took the shortcut to Hound Tor via Bowerman's Nose, a tall stack of rock that supposedly looks like a head if viewed from the right angle. We were anxious to get home today, however, so we pressed on past Cold East Cross to Ashburton.