Having taken the main road to Dartington we followed the cycle path past the weir and the train station and then tried the ‘shortcut’ from Bridgetown to Stoke Gabriel known as Fleet Mill Lane. It was a scenic route, taking us through some unspoiled woodland areas, but some parts were rough, muddy or steep and our youngsters didn’t rate it very highly even though it was popular with the club in the 1980s. The main road alternative via Longcombe is actually a little shorter, has a little less climbing and is a good deal quicker, so we will probably take that route next time around.

Once we reached tarmac at Aish we made good speed to Stoke Gabriel, eagerly awaiting a tasty lunch at the Rivershack Café by the river Dart. When we arrived at 12:40, however, there was no food on display despite there being several members of staff on duty. Enquiries revealed that food was off because they were running a barbecue with live music at 2.30 and they “couldn’t do everything”. Michael pressed a little further and was told that cakes and drinks were available, but she wasn’t going to bring the cakes out for us to look at as they all look like what they are – cake! As there are no other cafes in the area we made the best of the situation and ordered what we thought sounded like good cakes. As it happened they turned out to be exceptional, so we were happy in the end.

There was time to walk along the causeway by Mill Pool, where Michael managed to graze his knee after stepping on some very slippery green seaweed, then we headed homewards via Longcombe, Berry Pomeroy, Littlehempston, Staverton and Caddaford at a good speed.

On a hot and sunny evening we rode up Wallaford Road and then decided to ride the track to Lud Gate and the moorland descent to Chalk Ford. As usual the views across South Devon were spectacular and the descent challenging.

For many years there used to be a family of pigs and piglets in the field near Chalk Ford and deer on the higher fields, but today there was nothing. At least there was nothing until we had finished descending the track to Scoriton: here George found a family of lambs looking through a garden gate that seemed very pleased to see him.

The forecast of rain after 1pm encouraged us to organise a morning-only ride to Landscove. After climbing Green Lane we followed the lanes past Baddaford, Penn and Parkfield before looping back to the Hill House nursery at Landscove for coffee.

There was time for some photos by the fountain, but then we had to speed home by the shortest route to avoid the predicted rain. As we were all booked for our summer tour of Norway we used part of the afternoon to make some plans for a glacier walk excursion mid-tour. The rain actually arrived at 2pm.

John needed to be back before 4pm so we chose Dartmeet as a destination, taking us up Silver Street, through Scoriton and Holne and then up onto the moor past Venford. The cloudy start was giving way to increasing spells of sunshine but the light breeze we felt at Buckfastleigh was rather more powerful on the moor.

Arriving at the Badgers Holt café we were greeted by a large sign telling us that new owners had been in residence since last month. Gone were the cats. Gone was the enormous and varied menu. A very limited range was available now, with soup at £5.95 and the cheapest meals starting from around £6.95. Apparently they wanted to focus on fresh food now, but we wondered how some of the previous snacks such as baked beans on toast could be any fresher than a newly-opened tin and fresh bread. Michael asked for a cheese and onion pasty with salad garnish that wasn’t on the menu and got it for £4 but the rest had to buy more expensive fare. We then discovered another consequence of “fresh food”: a half hour delay before our food arrived. Hopefully things will improve when they have settled in, otherwise we may be avoiding Badgers Holt in future.

Finally setting off at 1.45 we rode up Dartmeet Hill with a tail wind and then took the main road route home via New Bridge and Hembury, getting us back for 3.20.

On what must have been the warmest evening of the year so far we headed up Nurston hill and along the rather overgrown track that leads to Skerraton Down. Ascending the open moorland to the high moor was made more difficult by the long grass and gorse, but once we reached the top we were rewarded with extensive views over Buckfastleigh and beyond to Teignmouth and much of South Devon.

The youngsters stopped to climb a fallen tree on the way down to Cross Furzes, then we sped down Wallaford Road on a cooling descent as darkness began to fall.

Our summer reunion ride, proposed by John Stuart and others at the Christmas get-together, provided a chance for old and new club riders to meet up on a fabulous summer day. We would also have had Oliver if he had known we had moved the date back a week from the original proposal of 25th June, but apparently he will be here next week for those who can come again.

After drinks and a chat at Crofters from 9.30 we set off at around 10.30 with the aim of riding to Totnes food market, which takes place on the third Sunday of each month. It’s been a while since we had so many out on a ride, and everyone had plenty to talk about as we proceeded along Colston Road and along the cycle path to Dartington.

John Stuart suggested a detour through Dartington Hall, and what better place for a group photo than in the gardens by the entrance. It’s a shame Michael hadn't learned how to set the timer on his new camera, but two photos provided a suitable alternative.

Riding along the cycle path to Totnes we stopped at the new Totnes Weir Hydro station as none of our older members had seen it. Only one of the twin Archimedes Screws was in operation today as the river flow was lower than usual. It can supply electricity for up to 400 homes, but at present it is used to power King Edwards VI College and a local aluminium foundry.

We continued along the path to Borough Park and then up the main street to the market. There seemed to be even more stalls than usual today, selling just about every kind of food and drink you can imagine. Julian said he wasn’t hungry for anything here, until he saw a bratwurst stall. Gavin got one too, and Tao just couldn’t resist an expensive cheesecake with nutty base. Everyone found something to their liking so it was a good while later that we finally set off again, with many vowing to return again on a future date.

Proceeding down the hill past the castle we re-joined the cycle path and followed it back to the Cider Press centre, now renamed The Shops at Dartington. Dillan and Julian couldn’t resist playing on a pair of spring rides that we passed on the way in. We stopped in the Venus café for air-conditioned hot and cold refreshments, although Tao preferred to sit outside on the only shaded seat.

We returned home via Staverton Bridge, narrowly squeezing past the level crossing before the station controller closed the gates for a steam train. We got back to Crofters just after 3pm to find Kevin Presland waiting for us on Michael’s lawn. Neil joined us later, and we all enjoyed iced drinks and fresh strawberries with ice-cream, clotted cream and Elmlea cream, making a perfect end to a very enjoyable day. To top it off, Kevin produced the Colin Brierly Memorial Shield from his pannier which he duly presented to Michael as a token of thanks for his contribution to the club over the years, which left Michael rather speechless.