On our final junior ride of the season we headed to Ashburton and up the long woodland track to Holne Park for the customary Frisbee session, before rolling home via Michelcombe and Scoriton.

An evening ride turned into a search for every rough track. Highlights included a rocky, muddy plunge towards Pridhamsleigh and, still wanting more, an overgrown, stony run past Ware, Michael’s childhood home.

Our first beach ride of the season took us to Mothecombe, an easy run to the Erme estuary. Lunch was in the shade of the only tree—South Brent having no sandwiches—and with the tide falling we waded across to Wonwell beach before a brisk return via California Cross.

An evening on the moor saw Reuben cope well on his first ride up Nurston hill as midges and thick haze hurried us on. Near Cross Furzes a deer leapt from a hedge into Dennis’s path—both were shaken and grazed, but recovered.

Oppressive heat turned the planned Bickington climb into a salvage job: on the ascent Michael fell when his right crank snapped clean in half. With no backup, we hobbled to Ashburton where BigPeaks fitted a second-hand chainset, then cooled off at Crofters and headed home.

On top form, we made easy work of the ride to Venford Reservoir and had time to circle it in calm, unhurried fashion. The quiet water and a duck with ducklings gave the ride its gentle highlight.

With just Joe and Michael we made it a tougher day: down to the Exeter Ship Canal, swans and cygnets for company, then into Exeter for a hard-earned Pizza Hut lunch and two drink refills. The baking climb from Shillingford St George to Underdown left Joe drained before a swift run home.

Bad weather cancelled the evening ride, so it became a social, with computer games on the PC network instead. A low-key change of plan that kept the group together.

An adventurous ride to Tuckenhay blended swift progress on the improved Sharpham path with playful pauses—a rope swing and a picnic by the river at the stepping stones, feeding the ducks—before a hot, hilly return that pushed some riders to their limits.

An evening of playful woodland climbs and descents, crowned by the slalom through Hembury Woods, with wide views in the sunshine on the path back to Ashburton. Keir even piloted Michael’s touring bike through town despite the size mismatch.

On the hottest Sunday so far, we kept to the cool Teign Valley woods, lunching at Fingle Bridge before a high traverse on Hunters Path and a lively return along the riverside Fisherman’s Path. The steep flights of steps tested the youngsters, with Michael and Gavin stepping in to help.

With just Joe Venables and Michael Jones out, the evening became an energetic loop through Hembury woods, the warm sunshine encouraging a lively pace.