A long, devious route through Avonwick and Diptford led us into the quiet lanes around Stert Barton, with the return by Tigley and Rattery. We welcomed Dave Robinson, and were sorry that Janet and Chan Beevers could not make it.

An unexpectedly low turnout was rescued by Kevin Presland dropping in, and we rolled through the Teign Valley via the café at Canonteign Falls. Cotley Castle proved an unromantic woodland earthwork, yet its quiet, sheltered bank made a good lunch stop.

Defined by the climb to Poundsgate and the sweep of Dr Blackall’s Drive back to New Bridge, the ride ran through River Dart Country Park before a swift descent. Janet and Chan, already in from Totnes, sat out the final push, while Dave Robinson suffered his son’s hard saddle.

A planned ride to the Shire Horse Centre became a wet‑weather detour: car trouble and a grim forecast sent us to the Copper Kettle in South Brent, where Plymouth Section sat unruffled by the rain. As the first drops fell we turned for Buckfastleigh and settled for a social at Crofters, computer games included.

Good Friday brought our first evening ride of the season, a relaxed spin through Staverton, Landscove and Pridhamsleigh. The easy pace and light-hearted company—especially Matthew Hamlyn-White and his ‘sidekick’ Andrew Guy—set the tone for the weeks ahead.

Rain didn’t deter 11 riders, drawn by Michael’s promise of Easter eggs; he took a tortuous route to Broadhempston so they earned them, and once soaked the group relished the outing. It ended with tea at Landscove, giving up their seats as queues built.

Fearing mud on Hameldown, we skipped the beacon for a circuit via Widecombe, climbing Southcombe Hill and taking a rocky riverside path. Michael even broke his own rules by drinking from the stream, and we ended by vowing to return for the Holne Bridge descent.

Michael led a roundabout route to time our descent of the Holne Bridge track at dusk, a plan briefly jeopardised by Paul’s broken chain, swiftly fixed by returning member Martin Hills. Darkness in the River Dart Country Park saw Tao ride into a rope barrier, fortunately unhurt.

With Michael briefly at Totnes before a family reunion, Charlie, Seb and Budgie led a hilly run along the Dart via Tuckenhay to Dartmouth for quayside lunch. The group split: some ferried to Kingswear, others returned via lanes, pausing at the Rising Sun tea-rooms.

An evening ride to the riverside at Staverton became a courteous stand‑off with a landowner over the meadow track; Michael’s calm persuasion – and his wife’s goodwill – settled it and we rode on. Returning faces James Gant and Andrew Watson made nine months away look easy.

Only Tao and Michael braved the early showers and pressed on to Fingle Bridge and the Hunters’ Path, rewarded with fine Teign Valley views. A slice of chocolate gateaux at Lustleigh set them up, and later they sailed past a tailback at Sandy Park where a coach was blocked by a badly parked car.

On the warmest evening ride so far, we rode the Abbot’s Way at a brisk pace and, unlike our previous attempt, were back by 9.15pm. Neil kept up on a touring bike while his own was under repair.