An evening loop to Belford Mill took a stark turn when we found the coniferous section of our familiar wood newly felled, bleak until the deciduous track returned. Holne Chase then bit hard, with Callum fading part-way up, while newcomer Liam impressed on his club bike debut.

After a damp start, the pace lifted into a brisk, upbeat ride, with Callum’s speed and friendliness setting the tone. A playful detour over the Cobbly Walk at Avonwick and a post‑ride Modern Warfare 3 session lent the day its own character.

Making the most of a dry window, we kept it steady to Staverton Bridge, pausing to chat with Michael’s relatives at Colston Farm and sparing the hills for Callum’s cracked rib. A quiet spin along the riverside path to the park ended with the usual regroup at Crofters and computer games.

Ash was short on sleep, so we abandoned Exeter for a gentler loop: Green Lane to Baddaford, the Bulland track and a playful detour up the Parkfield track, before scones and drinks at the Hill House nursery tearooms. The day closed with a post‑ride Lord of the Rings battle.

Despite a wet forecast we chanced an evening ride to Cross Furzes, climbing steadily from Buckfast Abbey. Mid‑ascent Jerry felt unwell—coffee cake and cream to blame—so Ash paced him while the rest topped out and enjoyed the long run home. We rounded off with a Lord of the Rings online session.

On the first sunny Sunday for months, a small trio drifted from a tentative plan to Venford into a relaxed spin that ended at the Holne café. A Frisbee stop set the tone; later Ash and Callum took the Hembury track and discovered why Michael had sensibly avoided the mud.

Heavy drizzle ruled out the evening ride, so we switched to badminton at Ashmoor, then rounded off with computer games at Crofters. The rain stopped as we drove over, but the change of plan made for a lively, welcome break, especially for the younger riders.

In bright summer sun we took Jerry for his first visit to Avon Dam, lingering to enjoy the views. The reservoir was full to overflowing and Dartmoor ponies dotted the moor; a simple, unhurried outing that left Jerry delighted with the place.

A relaxed ride to Ashburton took a fresh turn with the shortcut up to Druid, the lanes looking oddly new in that direction. We kept the return simple at Will’s request, and John’s free chips were eaten at Crofters over a game of Lord of the Rings.

On a sunny ride to Torbryan, the day hinged on the quiet footpath by The Old Rectory, where a vigilant resident again confronted us despite our pushing bikes; a calm legal exchange ended with reluctant thanks. With Broadhempston café shut, 25p pub soft drinks and a group photo kept spirits up.

Ash led a new route through Kings Wood from Hapstead to Bowerdon, the final stretch overgrown but otherwise easy. We cut it short at Cross Furzes to be back for the Olympics opening ceremony, rolling in just in time to watch it.

A downpour just as we were setting off cancelled the ride, so we switched to a social at Crofters, playing Command & Conquer 3 and catching Olympic events on TV. Not the outing we planned, but a relaxed afternoon indoors.