A day of amused frustrations defined the ride: a lorry sealed New Bridge so we inched our bikes along the wall, and Budgie’s Frisbee—followed by two bargain aerobies—wouldn’t fly, one vanishing into a hedge. Yet the miles flowed, from Telegraph Hill’s sweep to the sea wall into Dawlish.

A showery evening took us out via Colston Road and Huxham’s Cross to Staverton Bridge, where we chose to walk the riverside path to keep the peace with local residents, before turning for home along Green Lane.

Fresh tree felling left the lower Hembury track a muddy mess, though the remaining trees gave brief shelter from the drizzle. When the rain turned unpleasant at Holne we cut the ride short, heading back early through Michelcombe and Scorriton.

Despite a local warning, our first visit to Redlap Cove brought a steep, nettle‑choked descent that ended at a fence and no beach access, but the setback led to a fine discovery: a high coastal bridleway from Little Dartmouth with magnificent views to Dartmouth Castle.

An evening run to Avon Dam found the reservoir full to the brim, the highlight of a quiet route via Dean and Skerraton. Darkness fell as we dropped down the Abbot’s Way bridleway to Cross Furzes, forcing a cautious finish. Holidaymaker Ewan Taylor joined us for his first ride.

A South Brent-friendly spin through Owley brought a brief mishap when Neil, John and Keir overshot a turn and were retrieved from Lydia Bridge. Toby then guided us via Glazebrook to the Copper Kettle, where Julian and Keir managed two pieces of rich chocolate cake each.

With no full report, the ride was almost certainly the familiar climb to Skerraton Down on Dartmoor, the moorland finish that gave it purpose. A small group in the fading light, with wide views at the top, was likely the lasting note.

A steady ride to Haytor turned brutal at the turn for Cold East Cross, where a gale drove icy rain into our faces as the light ebbed away, making the exposed road a slog. Relief came only on the descent towards Ashburton, out of the wind.

A first outing to Hunters Tor Fort brought fine views and taxing moorland tracks via Lustleigh Cleave, then on to Becky Falls and home by Bowerman’s Nose. A pick‑up mix‑up and ‘Manhattan’ at Manaton added humour.

An otherwise brisk evening run through the lanes to Broadhempston gained its story when Keir punctured near Buckfastleigh without a pump; riding last, he waited a while before help arrived. A timely lesson in carrying the basics on cold, fine nights.

Low tide shaped the day: the group waded the River Erme and then took the tidal road to Aveton Gifford. A near-miss from an ill-judged wait just beyond a blind bend, and Tao’s broken spoke, were the only alarms on an otherwise calm outing.

Indecision gave way to a brisk half-ride through Buckfast, Hembury, Holne and Michelcombe, capped by the killer climb to Cross Furzes. The final drop past Crofters sealed the evening’s fate, with the second half spent indoors on computer games.