A sunny May Day afternoon after a wet morning took us to Haytor, where the ride became a test of tools and patience: Dayle nursed a buckled rim and Tao’s derailleur failed. Spirits stayed high; Martin did the fixes while the rest enjoyed soup and ice creams from the refreshment van.

With rain closing in, we kept it brief, reaching Galant Le Bower before turning for home via Holne Bridge. The only incident came as Matthew Hamlyn-White slid out on the corner leaving the park, shaken but unhurt and more worried about his bike than himself.

Our annual Rough Stuff meet with CTC South & West Devon served up a testing circuit around Bovey Tracey, with tracks so steep none of us could ride one beyond halfway. Trailer-side tea and buns rounded it off; Seb led our Section and Tao took first junior.

A relaxed evening spin to Spitchwick set the tone: riverside paths, talk on the Common, then the climb to Buckland. Nick found he could match the pace and pledged his first full-day ride, and most rounded off a sociable night with Michael’s free hot chocolate at Crofters.

First time to Yealmpton, we bagged a £1 visit to the Shire Horse Centre—falcons, foals and a slide that skinned elbows. Michael’s inspired shortcut became a muddy detour, to Budgie’s fury, before a brisk run home as the first drops fell.

A misty, drizzly evening kept numbers down and led to a planned all‑tarmac loop, but a tempting downhill soon pulled us off course. As the rain set in at Charlie’s Cross we abandoned Colston Road and sprinted home on the main road.

While Budgie chased in vain after a puncture, the rest of us were happily waylaid at the Christow BMX track for an impromptu session with local youngsters that took up most of the day; a gentler loop afterwards saw Philip Oakley complete his first full-day ride.

Defined by mud and caution, the ride began with Ashley sensibly turning back after a dangerous rim; the long pull past Nurston Farm then plunged into gluey tracks where Philip’s shoe disappeared and was dug out, before a fast, fun sweep across the moor to Cross Furzes welcomed newcomer Becky.

A not-too-long ride found its ideal rhythm with Michael’s long-forgotten track short-cut into the valley towards Dartmeet. A pause for nerve on the stepping stones left a few with wet feet, before the superb descent of Dr Blackall’s Drive sealed a memorable day.

Drizzle cut the ride short: after a short run past Buckfast Abbey and a stiff climb by Bowerdon to Cross Furzes, a puncture and the wet tipped the balance, so we turned back to Crofters for computer games.

Delayed only by Seb’s puncture at Charlie’s Cross, the ride soon settled into its real purpose: the garden cafe at Landscove. With the tea-rooms full, lawn seats brought priority service—drinks and sponge arriving within minutes, a spot to revisit.

Launch night for our trial evening rides for younger riders drew a better than expected turnout, to Michael’s surprise. A gentle loop via Colston Road to the riverside at Staverton, back by Abham and Caddaford, kept spirits high—and the youngsters finished keen for more.