An easy afternoon spin via Dean and Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam found the reservoir not overflowing – a sober reminder of last year’s drought. We rolled back over Cross Furzes and finished with refreshments on the Crofters lawn.

Threatening skies kept numbers low as Ken led an uncertain dash to meet prospective member Dominic Steeples, only for a disintegrating tyre to derail plans; thumbs were sacrificed to a stubborn Hutchinson bead. We looped via Coffinswell, keeping within 40 minutes of home to hit a 9.30 finish.

An interesting evening loop via Ashburton, Buckland in the moor, Spitchwick and Hembury was defined by a long pause at Spitchwick, where a few waded in the cool water, leaving us home later than planned.

Rather than Burgh Island, Martin and Richard chose a pre‑Rough Stuff explore on unfamiliar lanes, pausing for tea in Totnes before rolling on to Woolston Green—a simple detour that made the morning about discovery rather than the advertised destination.

Meeting the Devon DA at Beaston Track set the tone for a superb Rough Stuff: a testing course by Arthur Browne and warm hospitality from his wife. Buckfastleigh riders arrived late after a Totnes detour; the freshly baked currant buns were a fitting reward.

After joking about 'Kenotandophobia', Lorraine was coaxed onto Ken's tandem for a short ride round the block and found hills suddenly flat; she was hooked and joined the ride. The rest was a straightforward loop to Broadhempston and back, enjoyed by two new members.

A tranquil evening spin to Lambsdown, crowned by a secluded field beside a stream high in the valley, cattle and sheep grazing amid the surrounding woodlands. We climbed the track and crossed the moor via Cross Furzes to return to Buckfastleigh.

A moorland ride was overshadowed by Bank Holiday traffic, turning the climbs into fume‑filled slogs and crowding the honeypot destination by the river. A kite flown across the road added to the hazards, and at Dartmeet an efficient but dismissive proprietor spurned calls for a no‑smoking area.

An evening ride to Staverton became a civic detour when we called in at the courthouse meeting on the proposed cycle path between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. We voiced support but were outnumbered by residents worried about peace and privacy, and headed home by the quickest route.

Sheepstor was defined by Martin’s bid to be noticed: he dragged his bike to the summit to pose, then duly removed his sunglasses before riding the Plym Valley tunnel. Lunch was taken halfway up the tor, a good compromise between village and summit.

An invitation ride that drew one of our largest attendances to date; groups met at Broadhempston, took a short play in the park, meandered the lanes and finished with tea at the Pick ’n’ Park café in Ipplepen.