A sunny introductory ride in Hembury Woods centred on welcoming new rider Stephen, who relished the riverside tracks and a Frisbee-and-chocolate pause at the top. He kept spirits up with three soft tumbles, the earth forgiving and no harm done.

We welcomed Tom back after more than a year away with a gentle ride on the lower Hembury track to Shuttaford, paused for Frisbee in the glade beyond Hembury Barn, then followed the northern edge of the wood, emerging as darkness fell.

A relaxed evening spin to Staverton, with a friendly pause at Colston Farm to meet Michael’s relatives, then a quiet riverside path and return via Abham. Tom enjoyed it so much he’s now keen on a weekend ride to Street.

With showers drifting about and Zac flagging, we skipped the ride for a sociable switch indoors: games at Crofters, then badminton at Ashmoor.

We set out for Chalk Ford, but as we climbed towards Cross Furzes the mist thickened and the drizzle turned heavy, so we abandoned the plan. Tom’s answer was simply to ride back down the hill to home, so that is what we did.

Zac was expected but didn’t arrive, so we switched to a games social at Crofters.

A straightforward evening ride towards Staverton, probably via Green Lane, then home along Colston Road with a brief photo stop—the simple highlight of a calm outing.

A brisk loop from Silver Street through Burchetts Wood and up the steep pull to Ridgey Cross paid off with a fast return down the lower Hembury Woods track. In the afternoon we swapped lanes for the cinema, enjoying the new Star Trek—a punchy reboot tracing Kirk and Spock’s beginnings.

We took the back lane to Dean, climbed Dean Hill and crossed Dry Bridge to Rattery, but when Tom tired we turned for home via Pennywell.

When rain arrived by 10am, the ride became a social: an hour of badminton at Ashmoor (11–12) followed by computer games at Crofters. A simple change of plan kept it enjoyable despite the weather.

An evening ride to Hembury built around simple fun: the youngsters climbed a tree, we explored the fort, then took the Slalom track through the woods. New member Matt, steady on his BMX, was slow but loved it and plans to return.

A long-awaited car-assisted outing to Fingle Bridge delivered a gentle, scenic day by the river, with bluebells carpeting Cod Wood and lunch beside the water. Stone skimming and a chilly, stony attempt at wading to end the day; newcomer Matt impressed throughout.