Perfect spring weather and a fast group pointed us quickly in the direction of the Avon Dam, one of our favourite destinations. The ascent of Dean hill was delayed by frequent stops for conversation, so it was past 12.30 when we finally reached Shipley Bridge.

We stopped by the Avon for a chocolate break during which Zac decided to undertake a few ill-advised adjustments to his bike. Unfortunately one of these adjustments resulted in a broken valve, and as he had no spare tube he had to return to the car park to wait for transport home.

There was much to see on the moor today, with wildlife everywhere and a magnificent reflection off the surface of the reservoir: Connor, our newest rider, didn't miss any of it. The track behind the reservoir led us up the hill to the magnificent view across South Devon, and then we set about enjoying the fabulous downhill back to Cross Furzes. Ash took a tumble along the way but the ground was soft so there was no harm done. When everyone had climbed the old tree near the ford we took the long downhill back to Buckfastleigh for a well-earned games social. A car was despatched to collect Zac, who re-joined the group shortly after 2pm.

The clocks went forward last night, but even those who had forgotten managed to get to the ride on time with a bit of rushing around. We were very pleased that Adam had finally kept his promise and joined one of our rides.

Callum O'Brien was complaining of feeling ill on the steep climb through Hembury Woods but he felt better on the way down the other side to New Bridge. Callum F couldn't resist the temptation to spend some of his money on an ice cream, but the rest of us waited until we found a quiet area on Spitchwick common and then tucked in to the chocolate box.

Everyone had fun here by the river, some exploring the rocks and island whilst others played Frisbee or just lay in the sunshine for a chat. Callum O'Brien found out it was a mistake to splash Jack with a rock: he was chased without mercy!

The second big climb of the morning was the hill to Buckland, but everyone coped well with it. Today it was Connor who first discovered the words "My Dear" on the clock face, although nobody seemed able to read the word "Mother" just below it. A short climb brought us to the top of Ausewell hill from where we enjoyed an excellent downhill back to Ashburton and home.

Arthur had planned to bring his friend Chris today, but in the end his Dad drove off with his bike so he couldn’t come. Olly Acland was also hoping to come, but on this occasion his father had other plans for him. Ash fitted the new saddle and bottle cage to Connor’s bike (the Club’s Trek 3900), Michael reassembled the new pump after it got dismantled on Friday and then we were ready to leave.

We rode up Holne Road and out to Scoriton and Michelcombe, then we were most embarrassed to be overtaken by a woman on a horse on the way up the hill to Holne. Jack had been asking for a longer ride today but when he got to Holne he seemed quite content with a normal length ride, so we set off up the hill to Venford with skylarks hovering and chirping everywhere.

Brodie and Arthur wanted us to ride a track they knew around the outside of the reservoir, but Michael persuaded everyone that the inner path was more scenic and more enjoyable and by the time we reached the other end everyone seemed to agree. There were several walkers on the path today, but unusually they were all very friendly. We stopped halfway around for a short chocolate break from where we were able to soak up the full beauty of the full reservoir set against perfect blue skies.

Ash suggested some tennis ball fun but nobody seemed interested today, so we headed straight back down the hill and over to Hembury. Here we finally rode the downhill Slalom track through the woods: everyone loved it, especially Jack, Arthur, Brodie and Connor who had never ridden it before.

To finish the ride we took the track through the woods to the Hapstead road. Brodie rode right into the water at the bridge, much to Arthur’s horror. There was an electric fence nearby and Connor decided to hold on to it to see if it was electrified: he immediately got a shock, jumped back and ended up on the ground!

We got back at 1.20 and finished with a couple of hours of Modern Warfare 3 on the PCs.