After an afternoon of rain the skies cleared for a short, sociable compromise: a spin via Pridhamsleigh and Ashburton, then the riverside track from River Dart Country Park to Hembury Woods. The highlight was James’s marked upturn in form after last weekend’s tour.

The day began with doubtful weather and a cautious plan to reach Fermoys for lunch. Everyone rode so well that, after the youngsters’ half-price roasts, we still took an impromptu detour along the Hembury Woods track from River Dart Country Park.

A warm evening ride introducing Ashley and James to new climbs and a moorland track to Chalk Ford, memorably halted by Morris dancers filling the road outside the Tradesmans Arms. With light to spare we squeezed in a final steep detour before heading home.

In unseasonal heat, our beach run became a breakthrough: the youngsters pushed past 40 miles, a first since 2001, with Will back from a broken collarbone. A long pause at Slapton for sand and sea set the tone, and later Will topped it by riding the ford at Bow Bridge.

Heavy rain cancelled the planned evening ride, so we gathered at Crofters for a low-key computer games social.

A rare early-season foray onto Redlake Tramway delivered a fine, remote sweep of Dartmoor with skylarks and far views. The day's character came from a Dartmoor Rescue official unexpectedly emerging from Petre's Cross and the sudden sight of huge ancient hillside rings, clear before summer growth.

A short spin to the old Belford Mill behind Ashburton set the tone: a glimpse of history, then a flowing drop through the woodland track back into town—a compact loop marked by a quiet landmark and a shaded return.

History and exhilaration shaped a moorland ride to the coffin stone at Dartmeet, capped by the sweeping descent of Dr Blackall’s Drive. A secluded streamside lunch and a careful crossing of the stepping stones set the day’s unhurried, memorable tone.

With Oliver back in Devon, we slipped onto the moor for a quiet ride to the Avon Dam. The water lay glass-still in warm sun, the calm broken only by brief birdsong — a simple outing defined by silence and space.

On a hot, sunny day Kevin’s detours made a simple ride into a meander to Bovey Tracey and beyond, with a well-laden family tandem tackling its first off-road beside Tottiford reservoir. Lunch by the water, George identifying a May bug, and later cold drinks in Moretonhampstead set the mood before the climb home.

The first of five special junior rides gave Buckfastleigh trainees their first taste of adventure, riding carefully by the book to Staverton Island and skimming stones across the Dart before heading home. A confident start that left everyone eager for more.

A return to Avon Dam by popular demand delivered the timeless stillness of Dartmoor at dusk, fish leaping through glassy water in the golden light. As darkness gathered, a thrilling flat-out run across the moor to Cross Furzes sealed the evening and left us longing to loop back.