A rugged moorland ride to the medieval site of Graetor, with rocky tracks few adults enjoyed, was softened by lunch beside the Becka Brook. Seb arrived breathless but later found an easier line round Hound Tor; the Paignton group headed home while the rest queued for the ice-cream van.

With Michael at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal, Richard Burge led a short evening ride to the Shipley Bridge area; a straightforward outing distinguished by the last‑minute change of leader.

A riverside amble via Curtisknowle, lunching in the woods before a muddy track back to Gara Bridge and a stop at the goat farm. Tom’s envy at Michael and Neil heating a can of Sainsbury’s soup and Ben catching a Star Trek episode at day’s end gave the ride its quiet charm.

An hour’s climb to Venford Reservoir led to a demanding traverse of the moor, with gorse snatching at wheels, before we finally found the path to Michelcombe and dropped into a steep, secluded valley—a tough, rewarding descent that defined the ride.

An easy afternoon run to the Old Forge café in Holne ended with play in Hembury Woods, where Michael filmed Seb and Ben sweeping down the twisty track our members call the Slalom.

An unforgettable evening at Avon Dam centred on Dayle’s ill-judged attempt to jump his bike off the dam wall: a burst tyre and ruined front wheel left him pushing back across the moor. Later, Julian sped past in his car and missed our attempts to stop him, so the invitation never reached them.

Chief business was testing the Primrose cafe under new owners: discount secured, cakes not quite up to the old standard but the place seemed acceptable. Later, after the rough drop to the Bovey, Tom produced a tin of soup and, spoonless, stirred it with rolled foil before we tackled Houndtor Wood.

With our dispensation still in force we rode through River Dart Country Park, pausing to try the new tubular slide by the Anaconda Run, before returning via Holne. Sanctioned access and a quick turn on the slide gave the ride its character.

Another very wet evening saw the ride abandoned, but Michael offered a Computer Games social at Crofters instead, with the consolation that at least the reservoirs should be well filled for the summer.

Despite a rain forecast the day was fine, but weeks of downpours turned the Rough Stuff into a test of mud, peaking on the Baddaford–Lower Combe track where Peter bogged down and Michael went back and forth to free rider, bike and, finally, the shoes. Gavin Taylor took first junior.

Perfect weather set the tone for a gentle evening ride along Colston Road to Staverton Bridge, where the lure of the riverside track proved, as ever, irresistible, drawing the group into a relaxed detour beside the water.

A muddy evening in Hembury Woods: Peter laboured on the climb, but the track down to Holne Bridge redeemed it, fast yet boggy at the bottom. Julian and Richard sensibly took the road, spared the worst of the mire.