We set out in high spirits towards Ashburton, but a muddy Parkfield track turned sour when Arthur’s front tyre came off and refused to stay on. After a long, chilly wait for his lift and careful phone coordination, Michael led the rest home, ending with PC games in the clubroom.

A brisk, sunny run to Totnes turned into a visit to the Food Market when the usual café was closed. Earlier, by the weir, the youngsters climbed a tree for the camera amid the sad sight of newly felled trees, before we rolled back via Dartington.

A day that swung from misnavigation and a boggy bridleway to smooth miles on the Exe Trail and a sunny beach stop, salvaging the first Easter Special. Highlights included one rider losing a shoe and falling in the mud, and a near-misadventure with a swan’s nest.

With just four riders, we enjoyed a relaxed, sunny ride along the Camel Trail to Padstow. Zac’s puncture at Wadebridge was changed in moments, and the harbour pause brought pasties and the sight of seagulls deftly catching food—though rhubarb pasties were ‘out of season’.

An unhurried ride along the Grand Western Canal delivered spring wildlife and a sense of history. A puncture became a gentle interlude as ducks fed from a hand, and a horse-drawn tourist barge near Tiverton set the day’s quiet, nostalgic mood.

With some riders lacking lights, we kept it brisk, looping up Holne Road and back to Hembury Woods for the slalom and a quick tree climb. The Royal Wedding lent a festive finish: a trampoline “garden party” with chocolate and drinks.

With showers forecast we kept close to home, yet the morning stayed dry as we climbed to Holne and looped back via Hembury. The highlight was Callum O’B surging up the steep hill, then a chocolate break on a windy Hembury fort before returning home dry.

Thunderstorms cancelled the evening ride, so we made it a social, playing Lord of the Rings and Modern Warfare 2 until ten. The only drama came on the way home, with heavy rain and lightning all around.

Sun and a breeze saw six set out for South Brent, with Callum O’B back to form and pressing on up the climbs. A riverside stop brought the day’s laugh when stone-hopping went awry: Callum got damp and Ash went right in. We rolled home via Rattery, passing a bustling vintage car rally.

An evening loop to Landscove was marked by a silly number-plate game that went too far, until Michael stepped in to calm it. After a pause on the school field we took the rough, overgrown track to Barkingdon Road and headed back via Green Lane.

With exams looming we kept it short, riding up to Skerraton Down on a sunny morning rich with bluebells and wide views, then swooping off the moor to Cross Furzes. The youngsters even broke the descent to climb an old tree before the after-ride social at Crofters.

An evening loop via the old Ashburton road and River Dart Country Park, marked by a stiff climb to Gallant Le Bower. Best of all, it was the first ride this season where we didn’t need lights.