A cold, sunlit Christmas ride to Avon Dam turned the moor into a snowy playground. We threaded past an unexpected Boxing Day hunt, then found snow deep enough at the dam for a full-blown snowball fight – a bright, unforgettable end to the year.

New Year’s Eve at Crofters was a relaxed off‑bike social centred on a surround sound film, with festive games to follow. A simple, good‑humoured close to the year.

The year opened with a steady ride via Staverton to Fermoys in Ipplepen, rewarded by excellent food and half‑price Christmas decorations. A playful stop in Broadhempston for some Frisbee throwing gave the morning its own light‑hearted finish.

An informal club night off the bikes, centred on networked PC games and DVDs. A low-key, sociable evening of friendly competition and shared viewing.

We set out breezy for Totnes, pausing at the weir before a slightly frosty reception at the Terrace Coffee Shop over muddy footprints, soon softened by hot chocolate and pastries. Keir and Joe’s last‑minute shopping saw the rain set in, and a warm, splashy return via Staverton followed.

At LA Bowl in Newton Abbot we played two friendly games: Michael won the first and Gavin the second, while Keir learned to bowl without the side barriers. Light-hearted competition was the thread of the evening.

A prudent detour to Cold East Cross turned a sluggish climb into a ride of two halves: a wintry battering over the moor, then bright sunshine to New Bridge. Emblematic moments: the youngsters racing sticks at the Ashburn bridge and a lively Slalom descent in Hembury Woods.

Our first food social took four of us to Plymouth’s Pizza Hut for a simple celebratory meal; the defining moment was Keir insisting on his own helium balloon, just like the children.

A bright but biting day turned into a ride against the cold: after a riverside lunch we climbed through the Cleave and hurried on as dusk neared. Hot drinks at Hound Tor helped, but it was shared gloves and a Buckfastleigh newsagent’s warmth that got us home.

After a few computer games we settled down for the first half of Titanic, an epic romance and disaster aboard the ill‑fated liner. A quiet, sociable evening with the film paused halfway.

Guided by Tao’s route choices, we took new lanes to Kitterford Cross, a long descent to the quiet Avon at Gara Bridge, and a faster return via Harbertonford and Totnes. Joe’s missing Cream Egg reappeared later, melted into his coat pocket.

A simple social night: after watching the second half of Titanic, computer games took over and kept everyone entertained for the rest of the evening.