Dominic’s return from winter hibernation set the tone for a short but lively evening ride: the ever-exciting woodland track behind Ashburton, a new route into River Dart Country Park, and a satisfying finish along the riverside through Hembury woods.

In warm, near-June sunshine we took the hilliest route to Berry Head for boats, a grassy lunch and quiet tracks, a ride so good no one wanted to end it. We caught the 12:20 steam express at Galmpton and were joined unexpectedly by the Twydells at Goodrington Sands.

Oliver’s surprise return from university set a lively tone as we pushed hard from Buckfast to keep the light for the moorland track to the ford and on to Scoriton. We squeezed in a detour via Holne and Hembury before dusk, then warmed up with welcome refreshments at Crofters.

We traced the granite Haytor tramway into the quarry, lunched by Becka Brook and, improbably, found a mobile signal there. After a stiff climb we rested in the roofless medieval village, battled the wind at Houndtor and dropped to Widecombe for tea as showers gathered.

An easy evening to Totnes stood out for playful misadventure after the big climb: Tao overcooked a trick at the bridge, then later plunged into a thorn bush to rescue a wayward Frisbee, with a delightful riverside run to Dartington and a quiet return on Colston Road.

A heavy shower just before the start almost cancelled the ride, but it soon cleared to a generally fine afternoon. We rolled through Woodland to Fermoys Garden Centre, the abrupt shift from soaking to sunshine giving the outing its quiet lift.

The first junior ride of the season brought the new trainees onto the lanes via Colston Road to the river island near Staverton, where stone-skimming delayed our return. The youngsters handled the route confidently and completed their longest ride yet, pleased with what they’d achieved.