An easy morning spin became a sociable outing when George and Will were coaxed from bed, the group pausing to admire pigs at Littlecombe before bacon-laden fare at Holne. As the weather turned, the younger riders vetoed a River Dart Country Park return and we slipped back via Hembury Woods.

This mid-week outing proved popular as we headed to Vue Plymouth for Taken 3, with Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills on the run after being framed for murder. New member Tom enjoyed meeting everyone, though he cannot make weekend rides.

On a very icy evening, John treated everyone to a free meal at his Buckfastleigh restaurant between sessions at Crofters. We ended with Supreme Commander and a music quiz.

The ride changed course when Lawrence missed the Newton Abbot bus, sending us by lanes to Ashburton. Politics filled the talk; after pasties at the Ashmoor Centre, Will opted for badminton while the rest went via the play-park to the ruined hilltop church above Buckfastleigh.

After a snack run to Tesco at Lee Mill, we settled at the PCs with a new HD widescreen setup for a long Lord of the Rings session, finally beating the computer at 10.45. A low-key evening turned into a late, satisfying win.

A late-starting run along the Totnes cycle path became a lesson in speed: using fast routes at the start and finish, the youngsters realised they could reach further and vowed to try longer rides. Sunlit photos at the weir and a stop for blue gloop gave the day its flavour.

After an hour of games, there was still agreement on a late visit to Pizza Hut despite most having already eaten; George and Dillan tackled full pizzas while John and Michael settled for desserts.

With roads too icy to ride, we switched to a snow hunt by car and found deep cover at Venford Reservoir, where the morning became a fort‑building snowball battle. Lawrence’s plan set it in motion; he and Michael won all three rounds, but the shared effort and laughter made the day.

Michael offered a cinema trip to see Big Hero 6, but the youngsters opted instead for a snack run to Tesco Lee Mill and a Music Quiz. Friendly rivalry carried the night, with George taking a narrow win.

Answering the youngsters’ call for longer, more adventurous rides, we rode in bright winter sun to Bovey Tracey and up to Haytor, where the climb tested us. Dillan battled a detached brake spring yet rallied, and patches of lingering snow sparked impromptu snowball fights before a spectacular summit view.

A games evening at Crofters centred on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, played across the PC network.

With no takers for the planned car-assisted adventure to Mamhead Obelisk and Haldon Forest Park, the day quietly turned into a solo local morning for Michael.