Newcomer Richard proved far fitter than billed as we sped through Staverton to Fermoys, our dash briefly checked by two groups of frisky horses. Excellent drinks and a serene summer garden set the mood, and an all-different return via Broadhempston sent him to his map at home.

Our first ride after Norway took its cue from Oliver’s wish to see Skerraton Down: a lane from Dean, a push through gorse to the open moor, and wide South Devon sea views, capped by the exhilarating drop to Cross Furzes and the long sweep back to Buckfastleigh.

Lucky timing saw the only showers pass while we were inside at the Widecombe cafe and later at Luke’s house, leaving a brisk, dry ride between. We kept the pace up and made it back just in time for Oliver’s Sunday lunch.

A stop-start evening ride, dominated by issues with Stan’s recently revived Raleigh and capped by Philip’s drawing-pin puncture at Dartington; yet we still raced the track to Totnes and returned via Rattery, whose climbs gave Stan plenty to ponder.

A ride whose highlight was an unhurried discovery of Haytor Vale, with a playful twenty-minute 'dam building' pause behind Ashburton that was really a food stop. Ice creams by the rock rounded it off before a swift run home for lunch.

A gentle evening meander took us up Green Lane, down the cross-field track to Landscove and back through Staverton, the ride distinguished by a brief stop to help an ailing pigeon near Riverford.

Planned for Bradley Woods, the ride veered off when Tao’s ‘best way’ led to a very long, muddy, overgrown track, with stings and scratches forcing us to abandon the woods. Fermoys’ freshly squeezed orange juice revived us, and Will completed his longest ride.

An off-road evening in Hembury Woods kept to shade and water, swapping a planned swim for a puncture repair before a rare climb of the track usually taken as a descent. At the top we reunited a lost dog with its owner, then swept down the Slalom track as darkness fell.

On the hottest day on record we kept it short: a morning spin to the River Avon by South Brent for a cooling dip, then on through Avonwick to Diptford with wet shirts for relief. As the heat climbed and no more watering holes appeared, we headed via Rattery for an air‑conditioned cinema afternoon.

With Tao due on a late shift, we turned the evening into a brisk, short loop that kept us in trim, threading quickly through Ashburton, Landscove and Caddaford. A purposeful ride, neatly done before work called.

A warmly lit morning ride centred on the sweep of Dr Blackall's Drive, with spectacular views over the Dart Valley and a lively descent before we kept it off-road back to New Bridge, avoiding the risky section. The missing summit ice-cream van brought a small let-down, answered later by cones in Hembury Woods.