A sunny ride to Pixie’s Cave peaked with a boggy field trek and the disappointment of a closed Dartmeet café, before a hilly return via Hexworthy that split opinions.

Michael turned his lounge into a clubroom for a slide show of the past year’s rides, giving a running commentary. Laughter peaked at a few compromising shots of Budgie, John Stuart and Simon Hopper from 1986/87, setting an easy, affectionate tone for the evening.

Ken even turned up with a planned route, but amid Gary’s fears of mud we rode past the Long Lane turnoff and kept to the roads, ambling via Galmpton to Berry Head. There a biting wind had most of us shivering while a few enthusiasts rode down to the foot of the cliffs.

A well-attended ride to the Avon Dam and over the moor was defined by the long, grassy drop from Hickaton Hill through Water Oak Corner to Cross Furzes—pure off-road joy. Earlier, youngsters walked the dam to watch water overflow through the central gap; new riders coped admirably.

A road safety quiz at Dave Humphreys’ Paignton home proved decisive: with few local members turning up, Paignton socials will be cut from 33% to 15% next season. The evening still raised smiles thanks to Dave’s wordless ‘fishing’ routine, which had universal approval.

A rail-assisted club outing to the Cyclex exhibition at Olympia made a lively change from our usual rides, with bikes to try, BMX stunts and gleaming kit from the big manufacturers. The only downbeat note was how mountain bikes dominated; we ended the day hands-on at the Science Museum’s Launchpad.

Advertised for Hansel Mill, exceptional March warmth drew us to the coast via Slapton instead, a quick, sunny run. We saw a minor crash on the Slapton road, and a chocolate boost sent young Eliot too fast into a gravelly bend—he bounced up unhurt.

First time at the Southpark Centre and arguably our best social yet: pool and table tennis kept the room busy while Philip’s radio‑controlled car stole the show between board games. A small loss on the night, but members felt 60p would cover it next time.

An outing to Lustleigh Cleave turned dramatic when Martin crashed on a forest track near Becky Falls; with access blocked by storm damage a police helicopter airlifted him to Torbay Hospital—mercifully only a bad bruise. Earlier we’d admired a £1,179 Roberts and soaked each other in the river.

A perfect spring afternoon turned into a meander through Ipplepen, Torbryan and Broadhempston, all blossom and calm companionship, with seniors shepherding the youngsters. The kiddy-back club rolled in, and the last hill nearly finished the newcomers, but everyone made it.

The first Paignton evening ride of the new season set a brisk pace in cold sunshine, Dave leading to Ipplepen; when the café was shut we looped via Red Post and Broadhempston before returning to Marldon, still suiting those who had ridden over from Newton Abbot.