An evening run up Green Lane to the Beaston track was set against criss-crossed plane trails as flights caught up after the ash cloud. A late puncture scuppered the planned Penn woodland loop; while we waited, curious calves gathered, and we settled for the Landscove play park.

A relaxed spin to the Cider Press Centre turned memorable when the bill showed a shortcake at £2.20 and a tiny cupcake at £2, prompting Michael to vow to check prices next time. In sunshine we swung through Staverton and tried racing a steam train back to the bridge, only to find it had long gone.

Rain cancelled the ride, so we held a film night with the new Blu-ray of Avatar, Cameron’s sci-fi epic in which an ex-Marine on Pandora must choose between a rapacious mining project and the planet’s people amid luminous, otherworldly splendour.

A bitter morning kept the ride short, up through Hembury Woods and down a middle track to the riverside, punctuated by lively stops comparing the political parties. We headed back early and continued the debate at a social at Crofters.

A brisk evening ride to Belford Mill, with the favourite woodland track back to Ashburton for Ryan, was capped by a tense but civil exchange in Hoskings Court, where a resident challenged us—then accepted we were walking quietly and keeping the youngsters in order.

A steady run to South Brent came alive at the river: photos on Lydia Bridge and a chocolate stop while Ash and Zac picked their way across the stones. Back early and riding well together, the group looked ready for more adventurous routes as the summer improves.

An exploratory evening ride centred on the discovery that the perpetually boggy Burchetts Wood track has been tamed with stone and wood chips, now a pleasant woodland path. We noted the old Lower Combe village hall reborn as a house and finished with Ash leading the climb and a fine sweep down to Crofters.

Showers kept us alert on the run to Staverton Bridge, where a dog stood on the edge as if ready to jump. We sped home, even beating a steam train to Buckfastleigh, then, as heavier rain arrived, a well-timed trip to the cinema capped the day.

On a hot morning the group tackled a longer Stage 1 ride to Fermoys, taking in Orley Common’s woodland tracks before a relaxed garden stop. Zac’s first visit featured a children’s roast while others praised very large fruit scones, and iced drinks back at Crofters capped a strong day.

With the youngsters persuading Michael to shorten the route, we took a brisk circuit of Hembury: a pause for Matt’s repeat ascent of the big tree, then the slalom descent to the car park. Back by nine and a cheerful post-ride social with trampoline and computer games.

Starting on the Plym Valley cycleway, the ride became a spirited push to Burrator and on to Princetown, everyone climbing strongly and home from there in 90 minutes. A huge thorn missed in a tyre check and a pause to watch peregrine chicks gave the day its character.

Seeking cool water, we headed to Spitchwick, taking the Chasegate–New Bridge path and swooping the top field in remarkable light. The far end was deserted, so we swam for 25 blissful minutes before a late riverside return—our longest evening ride for ages.