With confusion over who was leading, Dave Robinson stepped up and steered the group to a discovery: a new track between Kingskerswell and Coffinswell, applauded by all despite a stiff climb on the near side.

At Venford Reservoir, the ride was defined by Luke Hatherly breaking yet another derailleur, this time an expensive Suntour, giving him the excuse to switch to Shimano. New rider Adam found the climb tough, and the reservoir’s exposed muddy banks bogged a few.

A short evening ride took us through the delightful but threatened lanes of Westerland to Yalberton, savouring them before the new ring road, then along the favourite track via Fleet Mill to Berry Pomeroy.

With weekenders bound for Dartington and Salcombe, the evening ride became a chain of delays: Michael’s just‑long‑enough spare cured David Platt Junior’s gear cable, Andrew Caunter needed adjustments, then Andrew Simmons punctured at the hostel—whose cosy fire made many wish they were staying.

Relentless rain scuppered the planned evening ride, but Stephen Larkin and his family rescued the night by welcoming us into their Paignton home. Michael Jones had even driven over from Buckfastleigh to lead, making the hospitality feel all the more timely.

Another wet evening, yet Andrew Caunter pressed for a quick spin round Buckfast while Martin put his new mountain bike through its paces—the cause of last week’s Totnes delay. We then headed to Crofters to dry out.

Clouds lifted on our 130km Tourist Trial through the Teign Valley to Thorverton and Crediton, but progress was hard-won: a stubborn puncture traced in a puddle and a headwind testing Simon on his fixed wheel. Despite a late knock and mechanicals, the finishers made it and will receive certificates.

A puncture sidelined Dave Humphreys at the start, so Mark Lakeman led a detour to Berry Pomeroy castle. Closed gates, playful woodland trails on the mountain bikes and a cautious, dark descent to the main road made for an unplanned but satisfying return to Marldon.

On the last Buckfastleigh evening ride of the year we still took the Hembury track in semi-darkness, to David Junior’s dismay at unseen boulders. After Anthony’s lamp vanished into a verge and drew a curious farmer, we returned under a cold, starry sky to the Hopper household’s welcome refreshments.

A sunny, predominantly rough ride from Ugborough Beacon across the moor to the Abbots Way shaped the day, with panoramic lunchtime views. On the rutted descent, hidden by vegetation, several riders fell, and later some drank from the clear Avon before a dash to Crofters Cafe.

A quick evening run to Stoke Gabriel, sweeping down “Aeroplane Hill” by Barton Pines, then feeling our way home along the millpond track in pitch darkness to Long Road and STC.