Seb and Phillip Robinson were waiting for us. The ride took us through Compton, East Ogwell and Highweek to the fascinating paths and tracks of Stover Lake Country Park. We enjoyed lunch by the lake and then sped off towards Buckfastleigh for the local afternoon ride …

Nobody except Michael felt much like pressing on to the Ship Canal, so we opted for a shorter route that took us through some new lanes to Haldon, where we enjoyed lunch in a woodland glade. Ken kept us entertained by talking continuously about bikes, but it was too cold to listen for long.

Doddiscombsleigh was the next stop - Seb quickly found the parish noticeboard and pinned up a club poster. We concluded the ride with drinks at the nearby nursery, which gave Tao and Paul an opportunity to fix Paul’s puncture. There then followed a brisk ride to Chudleigh and home.

Weather conditions today were distinctly wintry rather than autumnal. The ride took us through Rattery and Diptford and up a steep hill to a gateway which overlooked the village of North Huish. Tom commented that it looked cosy - and so it did!

We returned through Avonwick, taking in as many attractive lanes as we could find.

Only Tao and Michael appeared at the Buckfastleigh start, so Michael had the bright idea of driving to the Avonwick pick-up in his car (the weather wasn’t really too pleasant). When they had ridden up to Crofters, Michael realised his house was locked with the keys inside, so he couldn’t get the car keys out until his mother got home! They set off for Avonwick on their bikes, and after taking a wrong turning eventually arrived at about 11.15. Charlie and Andy were there in their car (without bikes), and while they were talking Michael discovered his car keys in his coat pocket! Tao was not impressed.

Michael and Tao decided to cut the ride short and returned to Buckfastleigh.

The new tea-rooms at Woodland made an excellent destination for today’s ride. Ken, Charlie and Andy arrived in advance of the Buckfastleigh contingent and had already started on their refreshments by the time the others arrived.

The food was excellent as usual, and the 20% discount brought prices down to an acceptable level.

The torrential rain ensured that nobody ventured out for today’s ride.

Lorraine had prepared a superb range of home-baked food for us. Charlie showed us his piranha fish and some video scenes from his recent trip to the USA. There was then time for a board game before the evening drew to a close.

Many thanks, Charlie and Lorraine, for all your efforts.

Some members decided that the weather was just too miserable to contemplate cycling to Ilsington for our annual Christmas Lunch ride, preferring instead to rely on motorised transport.

One of the benefits of choosing Ilsington is that there is a private indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, used by the health club. Our members were allowed to use the facilities on payment of a modest fee - apparently the money was well spent!

The meal itself was acceptable although not up to home-baking standards. There was a delay after the main course owing to a power failure, but the staff coped well under difficult circumstances.

Paul Oakley received the junior attendance trophy for 1992/93 and several other members received certificates for completing the Ten Tors event in October.

This weather was perfect for this special Boxing Day morning ride. The route was straightforward, taking us along the riverside path at Staverton and homeward through Broadhempston.

Risk, hot vegetarian mince pies, computer games and some video presentations made this a thoroughly enjoyable social to conclude the Christmas festivities.