Start Point tempted only three; the rest lingered on Slapton Sands, managing two cafés—Sea Breeze the pick—before regrouping for a Dartmouth ferry return. Minor cuts from glass in the sand and, after local advice, a cautious pass of new barriers on the Blackpool Sands closure gave the day its edge.

An evening ride to Spitchwick via Hembury turned memorable when David Platt mistimed the rope swing over the pool and cut himself; Michael patched him up before he was whisked away. Riding back with Simon Barnes, we met uncanny cold patches that felt like ghosts along the lanes.

An unusually peaceful afternoon ride towards North Huish through delightful scenery, though the heat made it tiring. On the way back via Diptford and Rattery we settled on strawberries and ice cream at Crofters—Paul wasn’t at the Spar to witness the purchase.

Hot sunshine on the Teign Valley and Hunters’ Path gave the day a lift—despite early delays, a futile river‑crossing attempt and Luke’s lone bid to ride the climb—until Martyn’s front brake cable snapped, sending him over the handlebars; a retired nurse, an ambulance and a doctor saw him safely cleared.

Despite sunshine, a sparse crew set off for Stover, morale lifted by Mark Moxham’s timely appearance. A misadvised locked gate and walker-packed paths sent us to Bovey Tracey for ice creams, while Michael found his smart new mountain bike harder work than his old road bike.

A punchy evening run to the trig point at The Beacon, with long, steep climbs and a rough-track drop to Stoke-in-Teignhead, delivered big views, while Dave Humphreys set the pace. A chance meeting at Roccombe led to a tour of the organic ice-cream factory—alas, not a scoop in sight.

With a smaller group but perfect weather, we climbed Bigadon, dropped to Huxham's Cross and on to Staverton Bridge, Catherine outvoted on the riverside path. On the return a couple of youngsters played chicken with Simon - he won - and we still made Buckfastleigh before dark.

Planned for Denbury, the ride diverted to Whilborough Common’s woodland tracks at the boys’ request and became a test of navigation, with Dave repeatedly marooned in similar clearings until Peter and Philip came back to collect him.

Michael’s late start and a roadside mechanical problem set a stop‑start tone, but the riverside track to Totnes made the evening—thankfully the river was low, so no waist‑high wading. A return by the same route was vetoed; failing lights and no hostel refreshments saw us home for 9.48.

Arthur Brown’s rough-stuff brought Devon’s sections together for a sunny picnic at Bickington, then solo runs over the marshalled rough sections. Marking felt subjective, yet our riders shone: Dayle Guy scored 57, just two off the win and took first junior, with Martin Hills close behind.