A bitter wind cut the ride short: after a late start caused by Callum’s two punctures, the climb to Cross Furzes left ears numb. We dropped to the shelter of Lower Combe and headed home early for the usual post-ride games session.

With Lawrence back after illness, his bid for Pizza Hut was edged out and we settled for a run to Tesco Lee Mill for supplies. Back at the club a marathon round of Infected on Modern Warfare 3 had everyone gripped; Lawrence even offered to pay to stay longer, and we finally closed at 10.15.

On a bright, sunny morning we rode to Holne and down to River Dart Country Park, pausing for soup and teacakes. The day’s character came from the woods: a brief play on the Spiders’ Web and a large log awkwardly blocking the gate that made access trickier than usual.

A late session at Newton Abbot turned into friendly but fierce badminton duels, with Michael edging the key rallies—most memorably when Ash levelled at 10–10 before Michael closed it out. Earlier, Lawrence asked for full power, then quickly requested a gentler pace after three rapid points.

A bitterly cold morning ride welcomed new member Alastair with a sheltered off-road loop in Hembury Woods, pausing for a photo and a quick scramble up the tree at Humphrey’s Cross. A lively run down the slalom track capped it, before a relaxed games-and-trampoline social back in Buckfastleigh.

A noisy evening centred on a music quiz that felt skewed by 70s and 80s rounds—only John seemed in his element—before a game-theme round levelled things to a draw. We wrapped up with Infected and One in the Chamber on Modern Warfare 3, enjoyed by all.

On a brisk, chilly spin to Dartington, a lively stop at the Venus café set the mood, capped by Will trying to eat a single scone loaded with all his cream and jam. Later an unfriendly man tried to tell us off on the riverside path, until a nearby lady backed us, and we rolled home to a relaxed social.

A relaxed games night split between Modern Warfare 3, Halo and a music quiz, with the cartoon themes round derailed when Cob, a keen cartoon fan, swept every answer.

The day hinged on snow: a short, biting ride over Dean Hill gave the youngsters their first experience of cycling in it, with one rider in just a shirt suffering, while Jerome and Alastair still set off for Hembury as the rest headed for the fire—a compromise that pleased nobody.

A relaxed evening moved from a few computer games to badminton, meeting Neil at Coombeshead School at 8.30 before a lively run of matches, each with different pairings that kept it fresh.

A café‑centred spin to Holne set the tone, with the welcome surprise of ex‑members Ryan baking coffee cake and Steph serving. We skipped muddy tracks via Hembury Woods and rounded off with a game and old Switzerland tour clips.

A low-key preview night: Michael showed John the full 2002 Switzerland tour video, feeding hopes of a European summer tour, while the youngsters played games on the PC network.