An easy spin to Dartington turned into a small treat: Ash’s sore knees faded once we hit the new cycle path and its lively descent, and Cranks at the Cider Press Centre set the tone for a relaxed browse in Tridias and the ‘healthy’ sweet shop before rolling home via Staverton Bridge.

On a glorious summer morning we rode through Hembury to Spitchwick, savouring quiet lanes and woodland. The return took the long way, with a testing climb through the trees to Buckland before a swift drop of Ausewell Hill into Ashburton.

A damp morning kept it brief: a simple out-and-back to Riverford along Colston Road, returning by the track past Hole Farm to Abham. The drizzle set the tone, but the track section added a touch of interest.

On a cold, windy evening we ground up to Cross Furzes in 45 minutes, then broke out a Frisbee on the moorland. Spirits stayed high despite the weather, but we didn’t linger before heading back.

A curtailed junior outing defined by low energy and a navigational mishap: after Ryan ran out of steam and the missing chocolate shop in Michael's pannier, the group dropped down Dean Hill only to lose him; he'd turned left and taken the back road home, prompting a reminder about waiting at junctions.

A borrowed bike with no lights kept it to a short run to Hembury Woods, with the return timed as darkness fell. Congratulations to Callum, who handled his first club ride superbly.

Michael’s mystery ride mixed a steep pull to Parkfield with a rewarding off-road run: a rough edge-of-fields track tipping into flat, sometimes muddy woodland that everyone enjoyed. A welcome cafe stop at Landscove and an impromptu Frisbee game gave the day its easy, playful finish.

Tonight’s run along Colston Road to Staverton felt different, with darkness for almost the whole way. We returned via Hole Farm and Caddaford, and Callum did very well, keeping going despite being tired.

Michael’s “Mystery Ride” rose to Avon Dam for a quiet chocolate stop, briefly marred by a dog diving into the reservoir, then delivered the moorland track revelation: a sweeping view from Teignmouth to Paignton and an exhilarating Abbots Way descent the first-timers were still praising at home.

On the final evening ride of the season we climbed to Holne for a turn on the rope swing while Michael handed out celebratory chocolate, then slipped back through Hembury Woods, half-hoping to glimpse the rumoured ‘wood worshippers’—but the glades were quiet.

A quiz-led mystery ride kept the pace lively, with questions about the next village and hidden features. We lingered to watch shoals of fish from the old bridge over the Avon near Diptford, then learned why one rough-track shortcut is best avoided when it ended in a boggy field.

With Callum sidelined by a cut hand, the rest of us headed to Plymouth for an easy-going night of ten-pin bowling, followed by three games of pool and a spin on the arcade machines. We finished with a quick Tesco stop so Ryan could pick up some cheap sweets.