Callum started the ride by complaining about the cold weather - apparently 4 degrees was too cold for cycling! By the time we got to Buckfast he was feeling better, and the warmth of the lower Hembury track put an end to all his complaints. The track really did look delightful this morning, with dappled sunlight highlighting the fallen autumn leaves.

Our plans to ride to River Dart Country Park were abandoned in favour of the Hembury Woods tracks by popular request. We took the left turn at the top which brought us to a choice of wooded glades. For a change we took the middle path which brought us to a fun, leaf-covered downhill track that brought us eventually to the river. Jack, as always, took the path very cautiously, trying to avoid the hidden stones and potholes that lived under the leaves. We concluded an excellent morning ride with the riverside track back to the car park.

Everyone was up for our Fermoy’s Special today, although by the time Jack arrived late and Michael was even later there was no chance of an early start. We took the lanes through Staverton and Ambrook to Ipplepen, arriving at Fermoy’s at around 12.15. We all treated ourselves to luxury hot chocolates and cakes in the well-stocked cafe, then browsed through the Christmas goods and the pet stores.

We set off for home at around 1.20 on what was now a warm and sunny afternoon. Riding towards Denbury, Callum ended up sprawled across the road after rounding a bend that evidently had an icy covering: the look of surprise on his face suggested he had never encountered ice before!

With the temperature barely above freezing at the start of the ride we rode through Buckfast in search of suntraps and found one on the lower Hembury track where the bright winter sunshine warmed the sheltered woodland air. Michael seemed to spend quite a bit of time trying to pump his tyres - his pump didn't seem to work properly after Zac used it last week!

From Gallant Le Bower we took the woodland track descent to River Dart Country Park, where unsurprisingly there were no campers to be seen at all.

We were very pleased to welcome our two new members, Callum and Connor on a dull but dry morning. The plan was to run a fairly easy morning ride that included a few fun tracks, and after toying with the idea of Landscove we eventually settled on Colston Road, a popular route for new riders. We may good progress to the Dartington cycle path, but then Michael's planned route through Staverton hit some resistance from our regular members who quite rightly pointed out that we went there quite recently. After some discussion we decided to take the Rattery road home, stopping at the footpath on the left for some Frisbee and rocket fun.

When our new riders were fully rested we continued up the long climb to Rattery sawmills - it has to be said that Callum was very relieved to finally reach the top! Compensation came in the form of the downhill from Pennywell Farm, made all the more enjoyable by the appearance of the winter sun. Congratulations to both our newcomers, who performed really well on a harder-than-planned ride. We'll keep it easier for Callum's next ride.

Spring is coming, and our members are turning out in ever greater numbers. Eight of us set off on a chilly morning for a detailed exploration of Hembury Woods. Callum O'B, out for only his second ride, was feeling the pain from a recent leg injury by the time we had ridden through Buckfast, so we abandoned plans for a detour through Michelcombe and set about tackling the main hill through Hembury.

From the top we took the path through to the fort, where Ashley was particularly disappointed to find that logs had been placed strategically to prevent cyclists riding down the steep slope. Our devious route took us through to one of the glades at the far end of the woods, where chocolate was enjoyed by the hungry ones and Ashley and Gavin vied to see who could throw the rocket the farthest (Gavin one by a few metres).

On the rough descent to the river Conner B, who had not done an off-road ride with us before, could be heard shouting "I . .don't .. want .. to ... die .. yet ..", so he was clearly enjoying the fun. Callum F's fun came to an abrupt halt however when he picked up a pinch puncture on a particularly rocky section of the track. A spare tube ensured a speedy repair, and we concluded our ride with the riverside track back to the car park, where Zac finally met up with us at 12.30.

Having ridden up Green Lane and partway along the track towards Riverford Connor discovered what he described as the best attraction of the ride so far - a very long rope swing dangling from an overhanging tree branch. There were more to come however: the riverside track from Staverton station was followed by the catwalk path up to the park, where Frisbee and rocket fun were punctuated with chocolate snacks.

From Staverton village we took the lane to Landscove, pausing along the way to oil a few squeaking chains. Callum needed encouragement to push himself up the climb towards Penn, and since he was very thirsty Michael found that waving a water bottle at him from the top of the hill helped him find energy he didn't know he had! The downhill woodland track to Lower Combe made the climb all worthwhile, concluding a very enjoyable spring morning ride.