We trusted the weather forecast when it promised light showers of drizzle giving way to a dry afternoon, with heavy rain following by early evening. What a mistake that turned out to be. We had got distinctly damp by the time we reached Bovey Tracey. The usual track to Lustleigh provided plenty of amusement (although some were sure it was uphill), and eventually we arrived at the Primrose cafe, which had opened the previous day after the customary Christmas break. Surprisingly there was space for all of us.

As we left we were reasonably confident of finding that the first sunny periods would be evident. Instead we were dismayed to see that the drizzle had changed to steady, driving rain, whipped up by the strengthening winds. Dave Robinson tried a nearby friend to see if we could lunch in his garage, but sadly he was out. Michael then had the bright idea of asking the cafe proprietor about hiring the village hall for an hour. After a few telephone calls we were given the go-ahead - and the keys - and everyone bundled into the hall with considerable relief. It wasn't over-warm, but nobody minded that. The cost was 25p each.

When we were ready to leave, the rain was even denser than before. There was nothing for it but to abandon the ride and head for home. Well, at least we had enjoyed the morning, and reached the destination area. We took a different route back to Bovey, where the two contingents separated. I would be lying if I said the final hours were enjoyable. Many of the youngsters were cold, wet, tired and hungry when they finally reached home. Michael was also slightly angry: he takes a lot of trouble to ensure that members never find themselves so far from home in bad weather, but on this occasion the Met Office let him down badly.

There was plenty of fun for this team game. Even the younger members of the Twydell household took part. Many thanks to the Robinsons for their generous hospitality.

This was certainly an eventful ride. First off, Elliot collected three punctures all at once within ten minutes of leaving Buckfastleigh. And as Michael repaired them, one of the early showers did its best to drench them both. All this made us late at Totnes, but at least the showers stopped as we arrived. When we had chatted with Eugene at the Plains we set off up the High Street, deciding for once to go outwards via Bow Bridge and Tuckenhay - even to the extent of climbing Corky, which didn't amuse Paul HW. Lunch was taken at the top in a stiff and cold wind, whereupon Paul commenced selling his chocolate bars.

Continuing the climb, the next incident was Luke Hatherly's explosive puncture, caused by a split in his Farmer John tyre's sidewall. To make matters worse, he didn't have a spare tube! There was consequently a slight delay while the puncture and tyre were repaired, and then again while Luke went back in search of a metal dust cap which apparently had sentimental value.

Next stop was the Forces Cross cafe - which for once was closed. We weren't too disappointed as we had recently had lunch, so we then continued through to Blackawton. Here there were more problems, as Stephen Larkin collected another puncture near the church. This was quickly repaired with some assistance from Paul, but he then got another one along the track to Millcombe, this time in the rear wheel. What fun we have in the CTC!

There are some delightful lanes alongside the river Gara, but eventually one has to climb up to the main road again. This took a while, but we were soon speeding towards Moreleigh, on course for a reasonable return time (having decided to skip Topsham Bridge in view of the delays).

It was at Moreleigh that both Elliot and Alan Skinner, both under eleven and both without cycling proficiency training, failed to look or signal on a tricky right-turn manoeuvre. Elliot narrowly missed one vehicle, Alan was hit by another. Fortunately he was unharmed: the car was travelling slowly on the corner and only caught Alan's rear wheel. His pedal crank was bent so as to make the bike unrideable, however, so his father was called to collect him. Michael stayed with him while the rest continued homewards in the capable hands of the two Daves.

This is one of the most serious incidents in the Section's history, even though there were no injuries. One of the boys could easily have been seriously injured. We are reminded of the fact that no matter what precautions are taken by the club, a cyclist can still be seriously injured if he or she makes a mistake.

Parents can feel more confident in their child's safety if they have taken part in a cycling proficiency scheme, but this training is only the first step, and does not mean a child is safe on the road: they feel safe, but have not had sufficient practice to guarantee their safety in all circumstances. Many later forget the procedures they have learned, and look or signal only when they feel it necessary, relying on sound to tell them if a car is coming.

The thought of a serious injury to any of our members, young or old, is intolerable. This is why we are now providing short training sessions on grade 2 rides. The aim is to remind all members of the importance of using "The System" (Think, Look, Is it Safe, Signal, Move) for every manoeuvre, on every single ride. We hope that members will take the sessions seriously and never forget the real dangers of undisciplined cycling.

A strong headwind made the climb towards Rattery even harder than usual. Then confusion struck when the leading riders were asked to stop near the junction with the big trees: several of the trees had blown down in the recent storms, so the enthusiastic cyclists could hardly be blamed for going past them.

An important decision had to be made at this junction: should we go for the planned destination or make a diversion? The high winds, coupled with the likelihood of rain, suggested a negative reply so the ride diverted to Dartington via Billany Farm lane.

When Paul had sold some chocolate and various gloves had been donned (it was getting quite cold by this time) we proceeded to Dartington church and Staverton station. Here the rough riders were satisfied with an excursion along the riverside track to the village. Dayle became concerned near the railway crossing when he discovered his pump was missing. He spent some time looking for it, riding back and forth along the track to the station, but eventually concluded, reluctantly, that the pump was lost.

Careful choice of route enabled Michael, Shane and Elliot to avoid getting wet, muddy feet when the group encountered a boggy ditch along the way. There were some, of course, who rode through the muddiest part several times (some would call them foolish, Martin), and who had to be called away from another large lake lying in a nearby field.

Returning once again to Staverton station (location shot for the BBC drama "Little Sir Nicholas") we continued homewards via Abham and Caddaford. And when Dayle got home, what was the first thing he saw? His pump!

Despite the large quantities of mud and debris on the roads (in the wake of the recent storms), Marldon and Newton Abbot contingents met at Coffinswell church as planned. Newsletters, brought out by Martin Luke, were duly distributed by Sir Kenneth, but that was the last duty he performed on the ride. A few minutes later, after climbing the steep hill through Daccombe, his hub spindle broke and he had to retire from the ride.

Nick led the remaining riders down the twisty and interesting lane towards Combeinteignhead. He avoided Netherton, knowing that there were a number of fallen trees in that region, and returned through Newton Abbot to Paignton.

We were fortunate enough to have Martin Hills' video suite available as the venue for our viewing of the pilot episode of Star Trek - The Next Generation, entitled "Encounter at Farpoint". This high quality science fiction series, which will begin showing on BBC television later this year, has just started its third season in the States, so members have at least another 77 episodes to look forward to.

We were amazed and extremely grateful to Mrs Hills for the generous range of refreshments, which resembled a buffet meal rather than a light snack. No doubt we will be returning again next season for another social.

Torrential rain and a bad forecast led to the cancellation of today's ride and its replacement with a social at Crofters. All start points were covered, of course, but only Jamie and David from Dawlish ventured out - it hadn't been raining when they left home! Michael gave them a lift back to Newton Abbot in his car, and then returned to Buckfastleigh to supervise the invasion of his house!

Section slides from the previous twelve months were shown together with some compromising shots of Budgie, John Stuart and Simon Hopper from 1986/87.