On Tom's second ride we mixed gentle climbs with his first off-road, then uncovered why hills felt brutal: his front derailleur was stuck on the big ring. Set to the small ring, he breezed up, and a huge friendly black pig by Dean Hill provided the evening's most unlikely companion.

With a disappointing turnout on a fine summer afternoon, we abandoned Avon Dam for the Hill House Garden Centre tearooms at Landscove. A brief halt for a puncture and scones in the gardens gave the ride its quiet charm before we retraced our route to Buckfastleigh.

A planned day ride became a morning ride to Holne. The mood turned reflective when we found Leo, the Scoriton dog, too weak to rise; after a brief split—Dillan taking the short climb while Michael and John looped via Michelcombe—we met at the café for hot refreshments before returning via Hembury.

We welcomed George back after a 10-week absence with a gentle spin to Staverton Island. A quiet stretch of riverside beach for stone skimming, with children at a nearby adventure party spotting us from the woodland, gave the ride its own mood, and we finished knowing he hadn't lost his touch.

With George absent, three of us took a relaxed ride to the Totnes Food Market, sampling its busy stalls. The day’s talking points were the weir turned building site for a new hydro scheme and an eerie single‑file parade of Canada geese up the river.

A tranquil summer ride found its heart on the quiet track through Burchetts Wood. Earlier, Dillan fell into a ditch after Michael turned into what looked like a gap in the hedge, and we were relieved to find Leo the dog at Scoriton fully recovered.

With the damp not lifting by 11.00, the planned morning ride was abandoned in favour of two courts at Ashmoor Leisure Centre; 75 minutes of energetic badminton turned a washed-out start into a lively session.

With thunder brewing we kept it short at Hembury Woods: a detour back to Grange Road for a lost helmet peak, then a cautious climb of the lower track and a return over Hembury Hill, getting home just as the first drops fell.

Showers were forecast and Dillan hesitated, but by Rattery Hill we were moving well, skimming over the new Dry Bridge and past a fly-plagued Moors Head. The rain never came; instead Michael’s freewheel seized, forcing him to pedal downhill and spend the afternoon on repairs.

George chose every turn, leading us up to Cross Furzes and along the Abbot’s Way, where the ride briefly became a peaceful Frisbee session on a quiet, grassy hillside in warm, still air, before we reluctantly headed back the way we came.

Rain cancelled the ride, so we switched to badminton at Ashmoor, where Ewan’s skills came on notably from a low base and everyone enjoyed some energetic games. The social afternoon continued with a round of Lord of the Rings and a spot of PC repairs.