We reached the Broadhempston community café with minutes to spare, endured reluctant service and were ushered out at noon. The mood lifted in the play park, where Lawrence twice launched the Frisbee into neighbouring properties, involving the garden’s owner fetched from the pub and a building plot.

Fuelled by a mountain of profiteroles courtesy of John after a quick Tesco dash, a lively evening at Crofters moved from a game-theme quiz to a movie clip challenge that proved very entertaining; the youngsters simply did not want to go home.

Reluctance gave way to one of our best rides since summer as sunshine drew us beyond Venford for the full Dartmeet circuit, with everyone cresting Dartmeet Hill in good time. An angry telling-off for leaning bikes by a wall and a wary brush with Dartmoor ponies punctuated the day.

Plans for Pizza Hut were scrapped when Dillan found Michael and Ash had already eaten, so the evening shifted to a supermarket run and an impromptu movie quiz. A low-key change of course that made for a surprisingly lively finish.

Setting out for Lee Mill, we explored new lanes through Rattery and Avonwick, but at the Wrangaton flyover a dark cloud and the chill A38 wind made us turn back. Snacks from the South Brent co-op at The Island rounded off the ride, with The Hobbit films and games afterwards.

An eagerly awaited cinema night delivered: at Vue Plymouth we settled into pre-booked prime seats for the 3D HDR screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, a rousing finale of Smaug’s wrath and the climactic clash for Erebor, and came out beaming.

Rain and other snags kept us off the bikes, turning the Christmas Lunch into a coffee break then a drive to Ilsington for our meal. The hotel pool was shut for refurbishment, but turkey, fish and puddings and a warm fireside chat made it worthwhile, and we are eyeing a February return for the new hydropool.

An easygoing club social: a bargain meal at Pizza Hut in Plymouth, then back to Buckfastleigh for a lively movie quiz with stills and clips, topped off by a computer games-themed quiz.

A relaxed Boxing Day social centred on Pizza Hut in Plymouth and a brief hunt for Christmas bargains, rounded off with computer games back at Crofters. A simple, good‑humoured get‑together that traded pedals for company.

A relaxed Christmas get-together, with long-standing members reunited over old tour videos and a promise to finally finish the Norway 2003 film. Michael forgot the cheese and biscuits; Tao returned to work on the video and ate half.

With most members away, Dillan called the shots: a low-key evening of computer games followed by a snack run to Sainsbury’s at Marsh Mills. A simple, good-humoured start to the year, more about company than miles.

With only Michael turning out, it became a brisk solo spin to Cross Furzes and on to Holne. The quiet ride found its note of cheer at the café, where he was welcomed as their first customer of the day.