Drizzle became real rain, scuppering the planned evening ride. The youngsters made the best of it with a trip to Tesco at Lee Mill followed by computer games, turning the night into a damp but companionable social instead.

An unhurried exploration of the Grand Western Canal from Tiverton to its present terminus brought wildlife, canal history and a steady headwind out, a swift glide back. Highlights included Dillan sprinting for every bridge and the horse-drawn Tivertonian turning mid‑canal before tea at the café.

Keeping it short on a gloomy evening, we raced up Hembury’s main hill and had an uncanny moment: Michael recalled seeing a deer years ago and, seconds later, a young deer stepped out and stared before wandering off. Birdsong and fresh leaves softened the ride back through the woods.

With showers threatening, we made up the route as we went, ducking into the Holne café just as the rain began before heading back via Hembury Woods to beat the afternoon band. Only Lawrence took on the 'Slalom' track, and the rain reached Buckfastleigh almost to the minute.

A very brief report: another unpleasant evening saw the planned ride switched to a Pizza Hut social in Plymouth, which Dillan enjoyed immensely.

With the Bellever YH weekend cancelled for exam revision, just Dillan and Michael headed to Haldon Forest Park for a thorough exploration of the blue and red tracks. They wrapped up by 1pm with an all-day breakfast at the Route 5 restaurant.

An evening built around curiosity: we paused to inspect the almost-finished Dry Bridge near Rattery—astonished to learn its £1.6m price tag—then tried a new route, sweeping down to Huxham’s Cross before returning along Colston Road at dusk.

Marking our 30th anniversary on Dartmoor, we mixed letterboxing with heritage: a visit to the elusive Ten Commandments Stones crowned the views, and Dillan and Will each found a box. An early broken chain was deftly fixed, and Widecombe’s Green Café proved a startlingly smart new stop.

With Dillan under the weather we kept it to a gentle spin along Duckspond Road to Cross Furzes, then used the spare evening to sketch out our summer tour—likely Scotland. A modest outing that turned into purposeful planning.

A lively Camel Trail outing where drizzle never dulled the pace, with small mishaps shaping the day: a puncture conveniently outside the Boscarne café and, on the return, a sheepish seagull-that-was-a-goose moment by the lake. Padstow was heaving, but the riding was fast and fun.

Newcomer Tom took on Staverton as his first real outing and surprised himself by keeping pace along Colston Road. In a glowing sunset by the River Dart we paused for stone skimming, before he found the courage to ride the final hills back to Buckfastleigh. A fine start.

A damp start and forecast saw the planned ride swapped for a badminton social at Ashmoor. Dillan pushed himself to his limits, finishing with as much exercise as a ride.