With rain looming, we swapped Slapton for a test of the council’s Littlehempston route, only for the day to be defined by a run‑in with a furious local who tried to bar us from a footpath even while we agreed to push. A locked new Dart footbridge and a sodden ride home framed it.

The Give us a clue evening was a reasonable success, with Paul’s flying Batman impression the highlight.

Gavin Taylor planned to follow at a distance, but loose handlebars left him on foot until, by luck, Michael Jones and Richard Burge stopped near Water Oak Corner to fix a brake cable and lend the allen key he needed.

Defined by Tao’s burst front tyre on the Cleave, the ride became a test of resolve: with an unrepairable split and the mapped phone at Manaton missing, he pressed on and we only caught him near Cold East Cross. Even the closed Primrose Cafe set the tone.

Another lively Crofters computer-games social. 4‑player Lotus dominated the evening, drawing everyone into friendly, competitive fun.

Exploring a circular route near Ringmore, we abandoned Blackberry Lane’s quagmire for tarmac to Challaborough and its striking rock shelves. The day turned on mishaps and resolve: Arthur slid into the mud on the Aveton Gifford descent, then a closed Avon Mill café sent us on to South Brent for tea.

Ken Twydell coaxed the long‑absent Dave Cutts back onto a bike for this February afternoon, and the group promptly gravitated to the cafe at Fermoy’s garden centre in Ipplepen—irresistible as ever. A simple ride made memorable by a welcome return and a favourite stop.

A low-key TV night saw a small group absorbed by a videotape on the construction of bicycles and their components; simple, technical and satisfying.

With only Michael keen to push on, we braved the bitter wind along the almost deserted Exeter Ship Canal, abandoning lunch in a bank’s meagre shelter before speeding for Exeter and home. Salvation came at Chudleigh’s Wheel Croft cafe, a find we’ll be returning to.

With heavy rain ruling out the planned ride to Haytor, Richard Burge led a wet alternative through Scoriton, Holne and Combe, a determined outing in poor conditions.

Our board-games social was dominated by Risk yet again, the clear favourite and focus of the evening.

A bid to reach Topsham Bridge via the Moreleigh track defined the day: rough enough that part of the group turned back, while the rest battled rocks, nettles and a lane-wide lake. Lunch on the old railway path looked over the Avon in flood before a gentler run via South Brent and the Copper Kettle.