With the weather once again reminiscent of October, the few hardy souls prepared to brave the elements set off towards South Brent in good spirits. Whilst sheltering under a suitable oak tree on the main road to Wrangaton it was decided to make the rider shorter than would have been the case had climatic conditions been more favourable, so at Shute Cross we turned left and headed towards Avonwick via the charmingly-named Sign of the Owl Cross.

A slight diversion to avoid a busy stretch of main road became a longer diversion due to a navigational error, but Diptford is quite nice and we were soon back on course, returning home via Rattery – which must be jinxed for us as once again the group became separated here.

Today we probably rode to Ffestiniog hostel via Capel Curig, keeping us within the Snowdonia national park. No doubt the poor weather was the reason for the total absence of photos today.

Today's ride took us through Dolgellau and then up a long clim before descending past the Alternative Energy Centre (which we probably stopped to look at) to Machynlleth. The final miles to the hostel at Borth were generally flat or downhill.

A different group provided an opportunity to re-run the 20th August ride to Rattery and Avonwick, the only difference being that darkness fell as we approached South Brent on this occasion.

After riding via Hele Cross and Auswell Cross there was a small dilemma as we looked for a track marked on the map. But the search was to no avail so we continued to Stone Cross and Pudsham Down for an early lunch.

As we reached Cold East Cross Michael felt a little ill so he headed home. The rest of us carried on with the ride and during the afternoon we collected a creditable fifteen boxes! May all future letterbox rides be so successful?

A quiz on general cycling know-how demonstrated just how little everyone knew about their bikes. But don't worry, the winter social season will put things right.