A reversed moorland run to Dartmeet was defined by an unexpected Google-suggested lane past Hannaford Farm—quieter, easier and with fine views over the Dart valley. A friendly cow on Combestone and a quick hello to Leo at Scoriton rounded off a contented ride.

Poor weather led us to skip the ride, play badminton at Ashmoor Leisure Centre in Ashburton, and finish with PC games at Crofters — a relaxed, sociable change of plan.

With John away we opted for serious off-road to Avon Dam, taking in wide views across South Devon from the Abbots Way and giving Jude his first long moorland descent to Cross Furzes. A passer-by asked Michael to work out the 1.8 miles back to Shipley, and the last stretch was overgrown with gorse.

An evening of revelations for Michael: after Gavin pointed out a roadside cherry tree, he discovered wild and cultivated cherries along lanes he has ridden for years, briefly feeling in a parallel universe. New kit in Broadhempston’s play park added light-hearted stops and photos.

Time was tight, so the group headed for Ilsington’s Village Stores, where Jude’s mum served coffee and cakes in welcome air conditioning and John shared biscuits. A quick check of Jude’s overclocked PC—its graphics card apparently cooked—ended the day.

On a warm evening we rode via Pennywell Farm and Rattery to the river near Beneknowle, where the cool shade by the Avon gave us fifteen unhurried minutes with sticks and stones. The return via South Brent and Harbourneford was marked by Michael’s baffling loss of Google Maps.

George’s birthday pick sent us to the Exeter Ship Canal for pizza, a smooth riverside run tempered by officious signs keeping bikes off the high bank with the views. Highlights were a calm swan with cygnets and the hand-hauled Butts Ferry shuttling passengers despite a footbridge nearby.

With heavy rain cancelling the evening ride, our youngsters switched to a badminton social at Ashmoor, where marked improvement across the board led to tiring, closely fought games.

After John’s worn tyre split at the start, the ride settled into a calm thread of traffic‑free paths: Stover Country Park and the new Stover Canal to Newton Abbot for lunch. Aside from three awkward crossings at the new roundabout, we headed back by lanes.

Michael’s shakedown of his newly built wheels defined the ride, a minor gear issue found on the climb that needs fixing before the Norway tour. We ran home fast through Hembury Woods as dusk closed in.

With the Norway tour days away and John nursing a headache, we kept it short: after a quick chat we rolled out, climbed the lanes, splashed through a deep flooded stretch, and enjoyed excellent cakes at the Hill House café in Landscove before heading back to preparations.