Computer games dominated the club’s social evening, with Lord of the Rings the clear favourite.

With perfect weather we pushed further, returning to Broadridge Woods and threading lanes to Bradley. The day's flavour came from the youngsters discovering old lime kilns and Dennis perking up after lunch at Fermoys, before a tired but happy roll home.

A quiet games evening saw a small group happily absorbed in DVDs and linking up on the PC network, a relaxed night that did exactly what it promised.

A birthday ride for Donald drew a lively pack to Holne, newcomers conquering the climb and downhill into River Dart Adventures through Hembury Woods stealing the show. Dennis went over his handlebars to keep the support car busy, then it was lunch at Buckfast and a post-ride search for fireworks.

The usual fun games evening, with computer game battles across the PC network keeping everyone absorbed and happy for hours.

Seeking something more adventurous, we climbed Dean Hill towards South Brent, only to find the promised pastries long discontinued, then enjoyed a sunlit sweep down to the Avon bridge at North Huish. Mud stripes marked the descent, and Joe’s try of a touring bike proved a revelation.

A repeat visit to Tesco proved popular: huge racks of discounted chocolate puddings quickly dispelled early reluctance—Kane’s most of all—and the youngsters enjoyed the outing, then the puddings.

Expecting a soaking by 11, Michael kept it short through Buckfast, but when the rain failed to show we stole a detour along the woodland track by the cricket pitch and were back at Crofters by 11.30; the first drops didn’t arrive until nearly one.

The younger riders led us to Vue Plymouth for Chicken Little, a brisk Disney film where a panicky chick who once cried the sky was falling redeems himself amid an alien mix-up and makes peace with his dad. A simple, good‑humoured evening that suited everyone.

Keen to explore new ground, we climbed Holy Brook to Holne and followed the Two Moors Way through Holne Woods to New Bridge, slogging through mud for fine river views. With no ice cream van in February, we climbed towards Hembury then enjoyed the long track descent to River Dart before heading home.

Indecision made the night: torn between trying the newly arrived Battle for Middle-earth II and yet another trip to Tesco Lee Mill for chocolate puddings, we did both and had a grand evening.

With Kane on a borrowed bike we kept it gentle, pausing for scones at the Landscove garden centre before trying a couple of muddy tracks from Abham to Charlie’s Cross. He wasn’t keen, so we returned by the main road—a modest outing shaped by keeping the group together.