Heavy rain turned the morning ride into a social: after coffee and sombre talk about the London Bridge attack, we swapped bikes for badminton at Ashmoor Leisure Centre.

With rain threatening, the group rode to Rattery Mill then, after some debate, chose a short return—just as drizzle began. They reached home minutes before the downpour and finished the evening with games at Crofters.

A breezy run to Dartmeet was overshadowed by Badgers Holt’s new regime: the cats gone, the once expansive menu pared back, higher prices and a 30-minute wait for "fresh" food, leaving us wondering whether to avoid it in future.

On the warmest evening so far, we worked through overgrown tracks and long grass to reach Skerraton Down’s high moor, rewarded with wide views over Buckfastleigh to Teignmouth. On the way down the youngsters climbed a fallen tree before a fast, cooling descent into dusk.

Our reunion ride brought old and new members together via Dartington Hall and the Totnes food market. The day’s high point came at Crofters, where iced treats and the presentation of the Colin Brierly Memorial Shield to Michael rounded off a memorable return.

With a hint of drizzle we kept it short: along the old road and railway to the wedge-shaped Belford Mill, then back beside the Ashburn. Curiosity about where the river meets the Dart found no view at Dart Bridge, so the confluence was left for Google Earth.

A reversed moorland run to Dartmeet was defined by an unexpected Google-suggested lane past Hannaford Farm—quieter, easier and with fine views over the Dart valley. A friendly cow on Combestone and a quick hello to Leo at Scoriton rounded off a contented ride.

Poor weather led us to skip the ride, play badminton at Ashmoor Leisure Centre in Ashburton, and finish with PC games at Crofters — a relaxed, sociable change of plan.

With John away we opted for serious off-road to Avon Dam, taking in wide views across South Devon from the Abbots Way and giving Jude his first long moorland descent to Cross Furzes. A passer-by asked Michael to work out the 1.8 miles back to Shipley, and the last stretch was overgrown with gorse.

An evening of revelations for Michael: after Gavin pointed out a roadside cherry tree, he discovered wild and cultivated cherries along lanes he has ridden for years, briefly feeling in a parallel universe. New kit in Broadhempston’s play park added light-hearted stops and photos.

Time was tight, so the group headed for Ilsington’s Village Stores, where Jude’s mum served coffee and cakes in welcome air conditioning and John shared biscuits. A quick check of Jude’s overclocked PC—its graphics card apparently cooked—ended the day.

On a warm evening we rode via Pennywell Farm and Rattery to the river near Beneknowle, where the cool shade by the Avon gave us fifteen unhurried minutes with sticks and stones. The return via South Brent and Harbourneford was marked by Michael’s baffling loss of Google Maps.