Ride Reports
Music quiz
A relaxed music quiz evening in the familiar mould: short clips from popular songs, with points for naming the artist, the title, or both. Straightforward, friendly competition that turned listening skills into the game.
Christmas Lunch, Ilsington
A festive ride to Ilsington brought a steady outward run, a welcome dip and a hearty meal. Gavin lost pool time to a puncture, and Joe learnt he had edged Keir to the attendance trophy, before a brisk, chilly run home.
Cinema: King Kong
We brought the cinema social forward to 5pm to fit in the three-hour King Kong: an action-heavy adventure from Skull Island to New York with a very convincing ape. The youngsters disliked the tragic ending, but everyone still enjoyed a packed evening out.
Christmas special: Holne
On a bitter Christmas ride to Holne, the freeze set the tone: gloves were shared, ice-topped puddles shattered and a planned woodland meander gave way to a rapid Slalom descent and a dash for the Crofters clubroom. The social brought Doctor Who and a Lord of the Rings game showdown—no prizes for guessing the winners.
Christmas special
An evening of festive camaraderie at our Christmas special: network games kept the room buzzing between hot mince pies with ice cream, while clips from past tours sparked plenty of laughs and reminiscence.
Denbury
A sunny first ride of 2006 was marked by Josh’s new bike failing near Staverton, yet the group pressed on and, via a path at Denbury, peered into the unexpectedly large prison complex; the younger riders impressed with speed and enthusiasm.
Badminton: Paignton
Badminton won out for most this evening, but with the nearest free court at Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton it became a small adventure; the youngsters enjoyed the long drive almost as much as the time on court.
Skerraton
An adventurous start in biting cold turned into a snowbound outing, as heavy flakes on the climb towards Gidleigh Bridge forced a change of plan and an early return. A quick group photo at the top, a shivery drop to Nurston, then welcome heat in the Crofters clubroom.
Games evening
After a run of outings, we kept costs down with a night in, linking PCs for multiplayer games. A simple, good-humoured session of teamwork and friendly rivalry.
Skerraton Down
A promising start turned testing when new rider Zac tired and rain arrived early on the rough push to the ridge above Skerraton Down. A cold, wet dash off the hill and the long descent made the Crofters clubroom's warmth especially welcome.
The Great Tesco LanYop party
A Tesco LanYop party: a dash to Tesco at Lee Mill for Yop yoghurt drinks, then back to the clubroom for networked multiplayer PC games, Yops in hand and the contests keen.
Totnes Longmarsh
With Zac on his second outing we chose an easier run to Totnes, rewarded by sunshine and a first-time spin along the riverside at Longmarsh, which everyone loved. A comic turn came in the Barrel House when a squabble sent a carefully made hot chocolate across the table.