For the final social of the season, the youngsters led the way: pizza in Plymouth, then a 9pm badminton booking at the Life Centre that left everyone happily exhausted.

On a sunny spring morning we rode to Staverton Bridge for a quick photo among the walkers, then on to Hill House Nursery where Neil and Phil had bagged the sunniest garden table and we lingered over drinks. A muddy detour from Higher Penn earned Michael the nickname “Mud” before an early finish.

An easy evening ride to Staverton Park via the riverside path was defined by Michael’s new Volt 1200 front light, whose beam impressed everyone and showed how far bike lights have come. We returned by the usual lanes past Hole Farm and Caddaford.

On the hottest day of the year we rode out to Fermoys at Ipplepen for drinks and paninis, a relaxed ride enlivened by Tao's 'shortcut' that added distance and climb. The return brought its own curiosity: a junction with 34 manhole covers near Denbury.

With Michael recovering from a virus, the planned evening ride became badminton at Ashmoor followed by a Music Quiz at Crofters. The Ashmoor Costa machine kept everyone going, and Dillan was the undisputed 2017 quiz winner.

Despite a bad cold, Michael shepherded a brisk Princetown outing that the youngsters turned into a full circuit with cunning car assists. A welcome return to the Foxtor café and a downhill chase to Plymbridge — he arrived only minutes ahead — gave the day its flavour.

Our evening ride climbed Dean Hill and circled Harbourneford to a bench above South Brent, where Michael’s new camera did well in poor light. The standout novelty was a first-ever Co‑op snack stop before we headed back via Marley Head.

With rain all day, we cancelled the ride and turned it into a sociable indoor day: an hour of badminton on two courts at Ashmoor, then a games social at Crofters. Enjoyable, though pricier than expected.

A brisk ride via Colston Road to Dartington and up the Totnes bypass set a livelier tempo, before turning home through Rattery. The long climb left legs tired and some riders chilly, but it was a welcome change of pace.

Perfect weather set the tone for a relaxed ride to Cockington and Torquay, highlighted by an impromptu canine gathering in the park after two enormous Newfoundlands caught our eye. For Dillan and Jude, a first ride along Torquay harbour capped a day of café stops and unhurried exploring.

Unsettled weather turned the planned ride into a trip to Pizza Hut and Costa in Plymouth to mark Jude’s birthday, followed by two games of pool at Tenpin, with Jude and Michael the winners.