An easy spin to Holne turned into a soaking dash home when the rain finally arrived, but not before a relaxed Frisbee session in the park. Tao then led a muddy slalom through Hembury’s woods, sealing a lively evening despite the downpour.

Heavy showers turned the planned morning ride into a home games social, a sensible call as more downpours followed. The group swapped miles for Modern Warfare 3, Command & Conquer 3 and the Olympic men’s singles badminton final.

A damp start gave way to a gentle spin to Staverton Garden Centre, where the café’s tiny £2.20 coffees and the all‑ginger cake selection became the talking point over drinks by the river. Back home there was Minecraft and a rewatch of the Olympic diving on the Games’ final day.

Relentless rain scuppered the planned ride, so the youngsters turned it into a sport social: Minecraft at home, a burst of squash in Ivybridge, then back for more games. A simple switch of plan kept spirits up despite the weather.

Welcoming two newcomers, we took an easy evening ride to Staverton, where the youngsters insisted on playing in the park after dark. Back via Abham, we finished at the club with a few games of Modern Warfare 3.

With showers threatening, we abandoned Venford for Hembury, twice rerouting to dodge the weather and even sheltering in bushes before rolling back dry to Crofters by noon. A post-ride games social rounded things off, though Will left early, irked by Modern Warfare 3.

Perfect weather drew us onto the moor for Chalk Ford, but the climb overran and we found ourselves descending in near-darkness. Will handled the off-road despite doubts; we passed a lone police car, and a late puncture in Scoriton was fixed by bike lights before heading home.

A rare non-stop ride to Bickham Bridge set the tone, chosen over Totnes to skip the café. Michael paused to photograph the bridge before a breezy return via Diptford and Rattery, where the final climb proved tiring for Jack, yet we still finished close to our target time.

With Ash unwell and no lights for Will, we kept it short in Hembury Woods, exploring paths before a tense return along the dark riverside where a collapsed section demanded teamwork. Home by 8.45, we ended with Modern Warfare 3.

An easy Lustleigh Cleave outing was defined by Callum’s recurring punctures—and the revelation he hadn’t brought a pump—yet the ride still rolled on after repairs. Memorable flourishes: a playful cave hunt in the Cleave and a helicopter suddenly parked at Knowle House.

A relaxed evening spin to Ashburton set the tone, with time in the park as dusk fell and a loop behind South Dartmoor School, where a few sampled a new downhill to Emmetts Park. We returned via the A38 path for a change, then rounded off the night with Modern Warfare 3 at the club.

With heavy rain cancelling the ride, the day became a social: computer games at Crofters, a lively squash session in Ivybridge, then more games. The standout moment was Callum proving unexpectedly strong on court.