Heat built on the climb to Haytor: ice creams at the top and a brief chat with a Cornish visitor admiring Michael’s Mercian, then a quick drop to Widecombe-in-the-Moor for lunch in the Green café garden. We stocked up on brownies before a brisk run home via Leusdon.

Our final junior evening ride of the season followed Josh’s chosen route through Buckfast up to Cross Furzes, where the long climb was rewarded by deer across the far valley. We finished with a fast, careful descent to Chalk Ford, picking a line past the worst bumps and dips.

On a perfect evening we climbed to Skerraton Down and, unable to hurry on, sat to savour the far-reaching view from Dartmouth to Haldon — a short ride made memorable by the quiet pause on the summit.

On a sweltering day we pushed for an ambitious Exeter Ship Canal run, then took refuge at Pizza Hut with unlimited ice‑cold 7‑Up to make absent Joe envious. Longdown proved a masterstroke on the return, delivering a rapid sweep down the Teign Valley.

With no slower riders, we reached Spitchwick in record time despite including Hembury Hill, then chose not to stop and pressed on at top speed up the long wooded climb to Buckland-in-the-Moor before returning via Ashburton.

Our first afternoon ride in years brought a sunny crowd-lined approach to Avon Dam and a lazy pause on the grass. A chance meeting with ex-member Gage added to the mood; the return via Kings Wood was lively, only blemished by Michael’s pinch puncture on the descent.

On a perfect summer evening we rode from Holne along the quiet Venford reservoir path before reaching Bench Tor for sweeping views of the Dart Valley. We paused to savour the stillness, then two punctures for Michael delayed the return and prompted a vow to change his tyre.

With just two riders we set a brisk pace to Littlehempston and explored the tracks around Gatcombe, ending with the descent of "puncture ally", where Michael’s new puncture‑proof rear tyre passed its ultimate test.

With Jack not feeling well, the Plym Valley plan became a gentle morning ride to Landscove via Colston Road, Staverton and the riverside track. Mother Hubbard's was almost empty, yet we waited a long time for cold drinks, teacakes and ice creams, which somehow matched the unhurried pace.

New rider Ryan coped well with our evening ride to Staverton, punctuated by a roadside chat with Michael’s cousins as they set off with two shire horses and a pony. Glen’s new BMX proved hard work on the hills, but he rallied and we still paused for stone skimming at Staverton Island.

Relentless heat reshaped the ride: after a hard climb through Hembury Woods towards Holne, Jack ruled out Venford Reservoir, so we took the back tracks down to the river for a cooling half-hour swim. A short day, but the water made it worthwhile.