A late start and muddled messages about the Galmpton fireworks sent us back and forth between the village and the hostel for a display that sputtered out in twenty minutes. Neil’s chain slip on Luscombe and a near-mishap on the bonfire were offset by a lively Crazy Post game back at Maypool.

Arriving late after Ben’s puncture led to missed meet-ups and, at last, a shuttered Old Forge tearooms. Michael, with Tao, rescued the afternoon by running an impromptu café at Crofters, complete with cheese on toast.

A muddy run towards Brixham set the tone: a deep pool at the bottom of the track to Mansands turned one rider back, then Neil’s puncture and lack of tools delayed us. It was redeemed by a rare visit to Berry Head, with sheer cliffs and a lighthouse said to be the smallest in Britain.

A relaxed indoor social took a memorable turn when Julian became engrossed in the computer game Canon Fodder, rising after each round to stand to attention and salute his fallen troops. The mix of earnest ritual and laughter defined the evening.

With a poor forecast and thick fog, we cut the route short, took shelter in South Brent’s cafe, then climbed to Avon Dam and navigated carefully along the Abbots Way to Buckfastleigh. Roy lightened the moor by accidentally diving into a puddle on the hilltop.

A good turnout enjoyed an evening preview of the 1995 junior tours to Cornwall and Norway; a 1993 Cornish Coast video and 1989 Norway slides set expectations and conveyed the terrain and spirit of the trips.

Rain split the day: a hardy quartet carried on to North Huish while the rest turned back at Rattery. Michael led them through Dean Prior to Crofters for extended computer games, with others joining later.

Another well-supported computer games evening, bringing members together indoors for a relaxed social away from the bikes.

A ride to Underdown was defined by Keir’s ill-judged overtake on the descent to Lustleigh, clipping Budgie’s bars and knocking him off. Earlier hopes of the Christow BMX track vanished amid a busy event, so the group pressed on for the reservoirs.

The ever-popular ten-pin bowling social at Newton Abbot’s LA Bowl drew a lively crowd, with friendly rivalries on the lanes; some members also spent time in Lasercraze.

Steep hills set the tone, with Michael’s route choice earning him a puncture for his troubles. We reached Broadhempston at dusk and nursed Luke’s tyre with repeated pumps rather than a roadside fix, a patient shuffle home that summed up the day’s good humour.

A relaxed social evening where computer games stole the show and kept everyone gripped. Good-natured rivalry and shared laughter set the tone, a simple indoor meet that felt like the perfect off-bike fix.