A sociable invitation ride welcomed two new members and tried a new café at Landscove, with self‑service on the lawns at Hill House Garden Centre while dogs entertained the youngsters. The return brought a brief drama when Paul vanished on a Lower Combe detour to the muddy Baddaford track; Tao searched, but the group went home.

Poor weather saw a near-unanimous vote to cancel the evening ride to Hembury Woods and switch to a social at Crofters; the new five-player Dynablasters proved the hit of the night.

With Dave Humphreys and Dave Robinson back, the ride to Dartmeet baked in the heat, lunching in shade. Most skipped Pixie’s Cave; Michael led a small detour, but Tom’s puncture—and no spare or repair kit—ended any chase.

A return to our favourite haunt ran late, but the Avon Dam in overflow made it memorable. A slow bike race up the path and a superb downhill across the moor to Cross Furzes set the tone before a steady ride back.

A perfect evening ride to Staverton Bridge along Colston Road, then the return via Landscove. The overgrown riverside path was the day’s flavour, slowing the pace and lending a gentle touch of adventure to an otherwise serene outing.

An arduous, very hot ride to Elender Cove turned on a single obstacle: the main track at East Prawle had become a lake of mud, forcing a detour through a field and a thorny scramble to the bay. Michael’s plunge into the ‘soup’ and the sunbathers we later woke on the green set the day’s tone.

An unusual start saw two riders both called Michael Jones join the group. The ride headed to the River Dart Country Park, where the youngsters enjoyed the Anaconda Run and its new big brother, before returning to Hembury Woods.

With a surprisingly low turnout, the ride was cut back from Sigford to the Whiddon Farm tracks, returning through Ashburton—a modest route that suited the day.

On the Baddaford–Landscove footpath a herd of curious cows caused brief panic: Neil, Philip and Paul sprinted for the gate, shouting, while Michael, our Dr Doolittle, calmed them before we returned to Buckfastleigh via Colston Road.

From Chudleigh to Blackingstone Rock via Canonteign Falls, the day was defined by the steep pull to the reservoirs and lunch with wide views; a stop at Lustleigh’s Primrose Cafe and the easy run back along the old railway to Bovey Tracey gave it a gentle finish.

At Galant le Bower we debated the Holne Bridge track versus returning via Holne; we chose the track and it was as muddy as warned, yet still enjoyable. We headed back through the River Dart Country Park, mud-spattered but content.