Thick fog shaped the ride to Avon Dam, lingering so long we paused on the bank and kept close as sound vanished in the murk. A ‘penguin’ on the dam proved a cormorant, and the swoop to Cross Furzes provided a lively finish to the final morning ride of the season.

Our first evening ride of the season turned dramatic: after a riverside race in Hembury Woods, Gavin’s wheelie attempt at River Dart Adventures ended with SPDs stuck, a broken coccyx and an ambulance. The rest climbed Holne Woods in the dark and cold, strong lights making the ride home a pleasure.

With mist and light drizzle for company, we kept things brisk, threading quiet lanes through Harbourneford, South Brent, Diptford and Rattery; a short, purposeful circuit that traded views and café stops for the simple satisfaction of covering ground.

Cold weather spurred a brisk evening ride to the Totnes cycle path via Colston Road and Rattery, with the group back in Buckfastleigh by 8.50. The pace set the tone; hot drinks at the Crofters clubroom were very welcome.

Gage’s return was marked by a brisk, uncompromising outing from Ashburton, up Chuley Hill and along quiet lanes to Carey Kennels. In the morning sunshine the dogs were out and, after a quick Frisbee stop in Broadhempston, we rolled home via Green Lane.

An evening ride to Staverton centred on welcoming new rider Conor, who kept pace with ease. A stop on the cricket field for an impromptu Frisbee session lifted spirits, but the soaked grass meant wet feet and a brisk return as darkness fell.

Heeding a bleak forecast, we chose a short loop via Buckfast and Coombe to Cross Furzes, hoping to outrun the weather. The rain set in regardless, soaking us well before we reached Crofters.

Torrential rain washed out the planned evening ride, so we diverted to a lively badminton session at the Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton. A simple change of pace kept spirits up and salvaged the social.

A gentle run to Shipley Bridge split in two: Gage and Joe headed for the Avon Dam and along the Abbots Way—after a Dartmoor letterbox find and Gage fixing a sheep skull to his bike—while Keir and Michael returned via Didworthy, noting ducks, wildfowl and peacocks.

An eerie, misty evening in Hembury Woods saw a hard opening climb give way to quick, rooty descents and stream crossings, with Conor battling on before a fallen tree halted the path to River Dart Adventures and sent us back through the darkening woods.

Steven’s first ride for years became a confident return as Keir led a first visit to Stover in years. Election fever in Ipplepen—a Lib Dem candidate in a large rosette—and Peter’s narrow‑tyred racer coping with the tracks added colour to a demanding day.