After a muddled start with riders split between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, the group settled into a swift run to Slapton Sands, taking shelter from a shower in the Sea Breeze with pizza and chips. High spirits on the beach ended with an officious telling‑off at the tank before a sunny ride home.

Aiming for an early finish, we climbed through Hembury Woods and dropped from below Galant le Bower to the Country Park. Squirrels kept us company, then Martin and Clive looped back through Hembury while the rest headed via Ashburton to Crofters for refreshments.

A perfect afternoon ride to Stert Barton, with Richard and Toby on their tandem through hilly lanes where hedgerows brimmed with spring flowers; the climbs came and went but spirits stayed high. Back in Buckfastleigh, the day closed with live computer entertainment at Crofters.

After the steep climb to Heathercombe, unfamiliar moorland navigation split the group; an hour’s searching ended in a fortunate reunion—helped by latecomer Dave Humphreys, who had also got lost. Earlier, Richard Hopper’s seat turned out to be a disguised drain.

We headed for Buckland Beacon at Matthew’s suggestion, rewarded by the sight of a hot air balloon yet stung by the bitter cold. A quick vote sent us back the same way at speed, to warm up and play games by the fire at Crofters.

Wind and fine sand defined the day at Bantham Sands: lunch was taken in a semi-permanent sandstorm, while a huge kite kept lifting its owner a metre off the beach. The return stop at the Sorley Tunnel Centre cafe brought welcome shelter and good food at bargain prices.

A re-run of a favourite evening loop took us along Colston Road to the riverside track at Staverton, where the meadow had been newly fenced, closing the old shortcut. We returned via Landscove and were back by 9pm.

A lively ride up the Teign Valley to Holcombe Burnell was defined by two turns: a rain-driven retreat to a farm cafe where Michael's 'milk' proved to be double cream, and a wet descent to Bovey where Daniel fell and needed hospital dressings before riding home.

Damp weather and no advertised destination made the call easy: Michael, Martin H and Neil skipped the evening ride at Buckfastleigh and chose a Crofters social instead.

A sunny day at Slapton Sands became simple beach fun, the vast shingle keeping everyone amused—especially when handfuls of pebbles were tipped down Alex’s shirt.

Another damp evening scuppered the ride, so we switched to a games evening at Crofters instead — a simple, sociable fallback that suited the weather.

Our invitation ride drew 25 riders to Broadhempston before a gentle meander through the lanes to refreshments at Fermoy’s Garden Centre. A sociable afternoon, with groups converging from different start points and peeling off home afterwards.