Our first full-day ride since September became a breakthrough for newcomers Ben and Joe, helped by newly laid Sharpham Drive cycle paths that made the Ashprington approach a joy. A riverside picnic was memorably set up in a stranger’s garden, and Ben’s wobble over the stepping stones raised smiles.

Inviting evening sunshine gave way to a biting cold that defined the ride. Ben nearly set off in T‑shirt and shorts; after Ashburton, up Chuley Hill and down a favourite track via Landscove, the chill had us skipping a final detour for home.

Despite a drizzly start for Keir’s first outing, we kept it short but made it count. Burchetts Wood was almost dry, the climb to Holne tested legs, a Galaxy bar revived him, and the lively descent through Hembury Woods sent everyone home smiling.

The evening centred on the surprise comeback of one of our founding members, John Stuart, bringing out his old Saracen for the long climb past Nurston to the moor. A thorn gave Michael yet another puncture, and at dusk tiny ponies raced us down to Cross Furzes.

Starting grey and crowded, the day proved Tao’s choice of Blackpool Sands right as sunshine broke through for a bracing beach lunch and a fine coastal run via Little Dartmouth. We were amused by the beach’s punctual 12.30 swimmer and a glimpse of Thomas the Tank Engine from the ferry.

After morning rain, a warm evening ride along the Ashburn and Hembury riverside tracks set the tone, with Keir pedalling away from a horse intent on licking his neck and a blind corner at River Dart Country Park revealing a barrier that almost caught a few.

With the forecast proving wide of the mark, a sunny start became an impromptu push to Paignton, lunching on the sand before racing home ahead of the rain. Joe’s tenacity on the climbs stood out, and two steam trains passing at Staverton added a memorable flourish.

After early showers, the ride to Landscove opened into a calm, sunlit evening, with a detour on the narrow track and hills glowing gold at sunset. Ben then struggled with knee pain on the final climbs.

A gentle, unhurried ride to Avon Dam centred on lingering for a long, easy chat above the reservoir. Skylarks busied about to draw us from their nests as we took in panoramic moorland views, a quietly memorable morning.

A slower-than-usual spin into the back lanes of South Brent via the rough track behind Marley Head, with Keir tired after a day of school gymnastics, saw us drop the Avonwick detour and head back via Rattery. Joe’s nettle chase and a chilly descent from Pennywell Farm set the evening’s tone.

From Bovey Tracey to Lustleigh and up through the Cleave, the day was defined by hard climbs and a moorland shower on the return. Along the way we played dog-spotting on the old railway and found the Primrose cafe still pricey—its tiny hot chocolate and no hint of a discount.

An evening ride that turned unexpectedly eventful: a playful stop became a full rescue as we coaxed an escaped chicken from a bramble hedge to its grateful owners, and later we passed a car crash—only discovering afterwards that two local lads had been seriously injured.