Ride Reports
Buckfast
A bitter easterly wind turned our planned Broadhempston outing into a short, shivering loop: the icy drop of Crest Hill convinced us to head back early. Consolation came with hot drinks, Supreme Commander and trampoline fun during a long after-ride social.
Supreme Commander
We all stayed in for a long game of Supreme Commander, teaming up against two computer opponents and finally defeating them by 9pm, then rounded off the evening with other games until the 10pm closing time.
Easter Special, Broadhempston
An earlier arrival brought a surprisingly warm welcome at the Broadhempston community café on our Easter Special, before a lively egg hunt and ball games in the park. Michael alone chose a latte while the others opted for cold drinks and Kinder eggs, and even a grumpy Will joined the after-ride social.
Bath and Somerset 4
Cold sunshine and lively company shaped a youthful tour from the Bristol–Bath path to the crescents and down Cheddar Gorge, defined more by choices than sights. A firm refusal at Wookey Hole sent us on to Wells and Glastonbury; later, bravado in the Cheddar tastings met its match in the Hell Fire chutney. The finale was a canal dash to the train, with thanks from the guard.
Games evening
Most preferred a final social over the planned evening ride, so Michael obliged and the group spent the night on Black Ops and Modern Warfare 3—a light‑hearted send‑off to the season.
Cross Furzes
With rain forecast we kept it brief: up Wallaford Road to Cross Furzes, back via Buckfast to stay dry. Will warned Michael not to push his luck; the skies held and we were home by noon, swapping bikes for Black Ops 3 until the rain finally showed at 3pm.
Belford Mill
Our first evening ride of the season took us to Belford Mill and along the woodland track, but the night belonged to the youngsters: a spontaneous game of Manhunt in the park delayed us to a chilly 9.30 return, before Modern Warfare 3 rounded things off.
Holne
A sociable detour to Lower Hembury Woods set the tone, with a pause at Holy Brook where Ash batted stones off a fallen tree, before a café stop in Holne and a spirited run down the slalom track—John even joined the descent.
Skerraton
An evening bid for Skerraton Down faded as a slower pace left us topping Nurston Hill late and the cold bit hard, so we turned back via Dean Hill, glad to get home. We thawed out afterwards with rounds of Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops.
Landscove tearooms
Plans shifted on the way to Landscove when Ash felt unwell, but the day was defined by the group agreeing on a summer tour to Switzerland. Cake-fuelled café chat set the mood, while Will chose a lone table for his scones, cream and jam.
Chalk Ford
Will led us to Chalk Ford despite the rough, off-road route, and the moor rewarded us: deer watching from across the valley, then three friendly pigs on the track to Scoriton. Back home, a Modern Warfare 3 social turned spiky as Michael's kill-death metric irked Will.
Totnes
We made brisk progress to Dartington and on to Totnes for photos at the weir before a time‑pressed return. The day flipped when George, brilliant early on, faded to a crawl, John staying with him while the rest headed home so Will could squeeze in some Zombies game time.