Once again this was just another very pleasurable evening of computer and board games.

Ashley, Paul and Philip took the harder route from Sigford to Birchanger via Bagtor House. We attempted the ride across Haytor, but the headwind turned out to be too strong. We returned instead via Birchanger, Halshanger and Ashburton, delayed only by Neil’s blow-out.

This should have been a cinema trip to see the film Star Trek - Generations, but because Michael was laid up in bed with a fever an indoor games social was hastily arranged at the last minute.

With Michael still too ill to ride, Budgy led today’s ride to Mamhead. At Dawlish Warren the group played with Budgy’s Aerobie on the beach - and somehow managed to lose it in the sea! Budgy was not amused, as Aerobies do not seem to be easy to come by!

After a shop stop at Dawlish we climbed the hill to Little Haldon. On the track descent to Humber, however, we ran into a problem with a pair of horses. The leading riders passed the horses without problems, but as Richard and Andrew approached, one of the horses got frisky and ran off, throwing the rider to the ground. The injuries were made worse by the fact that the girl got her foot stuck in the stirrup and was dragged along for a short distance before the horse came to a halt. We telephoned immediately for the girl’s mother, who took her to hospital.

When we telephoned the mother a few days later we discovered that she had fractured her leg and had been forced to spend a few days in hospital. Whilst there was agreement on both sides that our cyclists were not responsible for the injuries, members should take note that horses are sometimes easily frightened by cyclists and so we can never take too much care when riding past them. Always make sure the riders know you are there, and give the horses a wide berth.

We had to meet at 6.15 to get to the cinema in time for the early evening showing, which was earlier than we had been led to believe. The film was perhaps not as good as some Trek films, but everyone enjoyed the evening - except perhaps Budgy, who prefers Babylon Five these days!

Michael was early at the start today. Our ride took us through Hembury Woods, where a squirrel nearly got squashed as it ran across the road just in front of Michael’s front wheel. Tao was waiting for us at the top of Holne Chase: having left Newton Abbot somewhat later than planned he decide that this would be the best place to intercept us.

As we neared Spitchwick there was a general consensus that Buckland’s Round House cafe would be a better destination than Ponsworthy, so after playing on Spitchwick Common for a while we climbed the hill through the woods and spent a good half an hour in the cafe.

It was on the climb out of Buckland that Paul managed an incredible feat: he fell off his bike while riding uphill and grazed his arm quite badly! Michael escorted him to Ashburton hospital to have it treated while Budgy led the rest of the group homewards.

Once everyone had relaxed we had a lot of fun with this team miming game in which members act out the title of a film, tv series or book. Julian’s team won by just three points, but the Star Acting Award definitely goes to young Kim Murray.

Towards the end of the evening there was a lot of interest shown in a new computer game which allowed members to play inside the story of the Tortoise and the Hare.

The Buckfastleigh starters took the Colston Road route to the Totnes pickup, and when Harry had rolled in at 1055 we set off for Ashprington.

Everyone except Julian and Budgy decided to ride the Sharpham track. Today the surface was not too muddy, and the primroses looked magnificent in the morning sunshine. There were several styles to tackle along the way, and a steep climb that Paul nearly rode to the top, but the whole ride was a lot of fun.

We met up with Julian and Budgy at Bow Bridge, near Tuckenhay. Budgy was most disappointed to learn that this was not the Bow Bridge of our destination: there were still several more miles to ride! Lanes took us on to Forces Cross, where the large lady of the cafe was nowhere to be seen. At Blackawton Tom rang for his parents, as he had to be home for lunch. The rest of us enjoyed the steep and rough descent to Dallacombe and quickly found the correct Bow Bridge amongst the woodlands on the River Gara.

The bridge offered some shelter from the chill wind so we settled there for lunch. While we were there we overheard Phillip and Harry saying how they needed new bikes. What were the reasons for these decisions? One had a slightly buckled wheel and the other had a poorly adjusted front brake! We suggested to them that Budgy should perhaps have got a new bike as well because he had a puncture!

As we passed Shepleigh Court Michael told of how it was once rumoured to be a naturist centre: it looked somewhat cold today for such pursuits!

With all speed we returned through Moreleigh to Diptford, where Michael broke a spoke and we met briefly with Plymouth Section. We had plenty of time to visit the Copper Kettle tea-rooms at South Brent before returning to Buckfastleigh by 4.55.

The last social of the season saw the arrival of a new version of the popular five-player computer game Dynablasters that had come free with a computer magazine. Called Master Blaster, this exciting new action game boasted lots of new features to collect and brought new levels of fun for our members.

This evening’s fun made a fitting finale to our highly successful weekly 1994/95 social season.

This excellent afternoon ride brought us to the Tea-rooms for 3.05. Ken and company arrived shortly afterwards, and we spent a happy hour enjoying refreshments on the grass and playing games in the play area. Tao, who polished off a whole dish of cream left over from his scones, was warned by Michael of the health risks of eating too much cream - he didn’t seem bothered, however.

Our return route took us along the rarely-used lane past Pitt Farm. It was here that Michael narrowly avoided a collision when his front brake broke. The pheasant farm brought us quickly to Green Lane and Buckfastleigh.