Having taken the main road to Dartington we followed the cycle path past the weir and the train station and then tried the ‘shortcut’ from Bridgetown to Stoke Gabriel known as Fleet Mill Lane. It was a scenic route, taking us through some unspoiled woodland areas, but some parts were rough, muddy or steep and our youngsters didn’t rate it very highly even though it was popular with the club in the 1980s. The main road alternative via Longcombe is actually a little shorter, has a little less climbing and is a good deal quicker, so we will probably take that route next time around.

Once we reached tarmac at Aish we made good speed to Stoke Gabriel, eagerly awaiting a tasty lunch at the Rivershack Café by the river Dart. When we arrived at 12:40, however, there was no food on display despite there being several members of staff on duty. Enquiries revealed that food was off because they were running a barbecue with live music at 2.30 and they “couldn’t do everything”. Michael pressed a little further and was told that cakes and drinks were available, but she wasn’t going to bring the cakes out for us to look at as they all look like what they are – cake! As there are no other cafes in the area we made the best of the situation and ordered what we thought sounded like good cakes. As it happened they turned out to be exceptional, so we were happy in the end.

There was time to walk along the causeway by Mill Pool, where Michael managed to graze his knee after stepping on some very slippery green seaweed, then we headed homewards via Longcombe, Berry Pomeroy, Littlehempston, Staverton and Caddaford at a good speed.

On a hot and sunny evening we rode up Wallaford Road and then decided to ride the track to Lud Gate and the moorland descent to Chalk Ford. As usual the views across South Devon were spectacular and the descent challenging.

For many years there used to be a family of pigs and piglets in the field near Chalk Ford and deer on the higher fields, but today there was nothing. At least there was nothing until we had finished descending the track to Scoriton: here George found a family of lambs looking through a garden gate that seemed very pleased to see him.

The forecast of rain after 1pm encouraged us to organise a morning-only ride to Landscove. After climbing Green Lane we followed the lanes past Baddaford, Penn and Parkfield before looping back to the Hill House nursery at Landscove for coffee.

There was time for some photos by the fountain, but then we had to speed home by the shortest route to avoid the predicted rain. As we were all booked for our summer tour of Norway we used part of the afternoon to make some plans for a glacier walk excursion mid-tour. The rain actually arrived at 2pm.

John needed to be back before 4pm so we chose Dartmeet as a destination, taking us up Silver Street, through Scoriton and Holne and then up onto the moor past Venford. The cloudy start was giving way to increasing spells of sunshine but the light breeze we felt at Buckfastleigh was rather more powerful on the moor.

Arriving at the Badgers Holt café we were greeted by a large sign telling us that new owners had been in residence since last month. Gone were the cats. Gone was the enormous and varied menu. A very limited range was available now, with soup at £5.95 and the cheapest meals starting from around £6.95. Apparently they wanted to focus on fresh food now, but we wondered how some of the previous snacks such as baked beans on toast could be any fresher than a newly-opened tin and fresh bread. Michael asked for a cheese and onion pasty with salad garnish that wasn’t on the menu and got it for £4 but the rest had to buy more expensive fare. We then discovered another consequence of “fresh food”: a half hour delay before our food arrived. Hopefully things will improve when they have settled in, otherwise we may be avoiding Badgers Holt in future.

Finally setting off at 1.45 we rode up Dartmeet Hill with a tail wind and then took the main road route home via New Bridge and Hembury, getting us back for 3.20.

On what must have been the warmest evening of the year so far we headed up Nurston hill and along the rather overgrown track that leads to Skerraton Down. Ascending the open moorland to the high moor was made more difficult by the long grass and gorse, but once we reached the top we were rewarded with extensive views over Buckfastleigh and beyond to Teignmouth and much of South Devon.

The youngsters stopped to climb a fallen tree on the way down to Cross Furzes, then we sped down Wallaford Road on a cooling descent as darkness began to fall.

Our summer reunion ride, proposed by John Stuart and others at the Christmas get-together, provided a chance for old and new club riders to meet up on a fabulous summer day. We would also have had Oliver if he had known we had moved the date back a week from the original proposal of 25th June, but apparently he will be here next week for those who can come again.

After drinks and a chat at Crofters from 9.30 we set off at around 10.30 with the aim of riding to Totnes food market, which takes place on the third Sunday of each month. It’s been a while since we had so many out on a ride, and everyone had plenty to talk about as we proceeded along Colston Road and along the cycle path to Dartington.

John Stuart suggested a detour through Dartington Hall, and what better place for a group photo than in the gardens by the entrance. It’s a shame Michael hadn't learned how to set the timer on his new camera, but two photos provided a suitable alternative.

Riding along the cycle path to Totnes we stopped at the new Totnes Weir Hydro station as none of our older members had seen it. Only one of the twin Archimedes Screws was in operation today as the river flow was lower than usual. It can supply electricity for up to 400 homes, but at present it is used to power King Edwards VI College and a local aluminium foundry.

We continued along the path to Borough Park and then up the main street to the market. There seemed to be even more stalls than usual today, selling just about every kind of food and drink you can imagine. Julian said he wasn’t hungry for anything here, until he saw a bratwurst stall. Gavin got one too, and Tao just couldn’t resist an expensive cheesecake with nutty base. Everyone found something to their liking so it was a good while later that we finally set off again, with many vowing to return again on a future date.

Proceeding down the hill past the castle we re-joined the cycle path and followed it back to the Cider Press centre, now renamed The Shops at Dartington. Dillan and Julian couldn’t resist playing on a pair of spring rides that we passed on the way in. We stopped in the Venus café for air-conditioned hot and cold refreshments, although Tao preferred to sit outside on the only shaded seat.

We returned home via Staverton Bridge, narrowly squeezing past the level crossing before the station controller closed the gates for a steam train. We got back to Crofters just after 3pm to find Kevin Presland waiting for us on Michael’s lawn. Neil joined us later, and we all enjoyed iced drinks and fresh strawberries with ice-cream, clotted cream and Elmlea cream, making a perfect end to a very enjoyable day. To top it off, Kevin produced the Colin Brierly Memorial Shield from his pannier which he duly presented to Michael as a token of thanks for his contribution to the club over the years, which left Michael rather speechless.

Oliver didn't get the message about the rescheduling of our Reunion ride to last week, but he turned up today as promised for an excellent moorland ride to Dartmeet. As we rode there only a couple of weeks ago we decided to take ride the usual route in reverse, climbing Hembury Hill and then dropping down to New Bridge. John had to get back for 1pm so he left us at the Holne turnoff.

Google had come up with a new route along a lane past Hannaford Farm that none of us knew existed, so we couldn't resist giving it a try. It was strange to discover a new route so close to home, and it turned out to be a much easier and quieter ride than the main road, boasting cattle roaming free, delightful country houses and some fabulous views over the Dart valley.

Once we had negotiated the steep climb through Poundsgate we were soon descending Dartmeet Hill to Badgers Holt where Oliver left us to join his family for a lunch. Gavin pressed on home for lunch while the rest of us tried Brimpts Farm café. There was no savoury food here and a limited range of cakes and drinks, but the filter coffee and cakes were quite good value and provided us with a welcome break.

Setting off again at 1.25 we rode through Hexworthy and up Combestone hill, passing a friendly cow and calves halfway up. The descent through Venford and Holne to Scoriton was then rapid and enjoyable. Leo's owner, who was outside at Scoriton, told us Leo had been busy all morning but she brought him out for us to give him our usual greeting before we headed on homewards for 2.30.

With John away today seemed like the perfect opportunity for some serious off-road, so the Avon Dam was selected in record time. We were all feeling the heat by the time we had ridden around Harbourneford and up to Bloody Pool.

The rhododendrons along the path from Shipley Bridge to the reservoir were beginning to grow back at last following their heavy pruning last year. When we got to the reservoir we sat down to enjoy the scenery and Michael was asked by another visitor to work out the distance back to Shipley: it turned out to be 1.8 miles, which was perhaps surprising.

We followed the moorland path behind the reservoir, passing, unusually, a family who were fishing in the lake. Joining the Abbots Way we pushed to the top of the hill where the views across South Devon opened up before us. This was a new experience for Jude, and there was no doubt that he thoroughly enjoyed the long moorland downhill to Cross Furzes despite the final section being somewhat overgrown with gorse.

We got home as planned by 1.30.

Gavin joined us this evening for what turned out to be ride of revelations for Michael. While riding on the lane to Barkingdon Gavin suggested that we had just passed under a cherry tree that was loaded with cherries. Now Michael, who hadn’t seen a real cherry until he was in his twenties and even that was only on a tour to Norway, had no idea that cherries grew wild in the UK. To discover real cherries on a road he has ridden hundreds of times made him think he had just transferred to a parallel universe.

Most of the cherries were way too high for us to reach, but we managed to pull down one of the lower branches and got quite a feast from it before pressing on to Broadhempston. Here there was some new equipment in the play park that provided some entertainment and photo opportunities.

Returning home via Ron Greet we passed a cultivated cherry tree loaded with red cherries and another wild cherry, as if to make certain Michael had caught up with reality.