Our Christmas Special turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable rides of the season.  The mist was rising sleepily from the frosty fields and streams behind Dean Prior as the sun shone brightly from low in the eastern sky.  Our first surprise of the day was to discover a Boxing Day hunt on the top of the hill near Gidleigh Bridge.  The normally quiet lane was packed with horse boxes and onlookers, all watching the pack of horses that had just set off across the adjacent moorland.  We had never seen a hunt before on any of our rides, so this was probably just a determined effort by the hunting fraternity to enjoy one final day of fun before the ban comes into effect.

Shipley Bridge was, not unexpectedly, packed with visitors today.  We couldn't resist stopping for some photographs by the river Avon partway up the path: Keir thought about going in for a dip, but decided against it when he tested the water temperature.  At the half-way point John, much to everyone's amusement, discovered a particularly slippery section of ice on the path that the rest of us had managed to negotiate successfully.  There was now enough snow on the ground for a brief snowball fling, but by the time we reached the dam there was considerably more, enabling us to enjoy a full-blown snowball fight!  The whole scene of the snow-covered moorland hills behind the dam, all lit by bright sunshine, made this the perfect destination for our Christmas ride.

Continuing along the track behind the dam we soon encountered the hunt on the horizon, apparently unable to find a fox.  Well, we're all in favour of the ban so I can't say we shared their disappointment.  The snow was now quite deep in places, and by the time we reached the top of the Abbots Way the backdrop of ice and snow made us feel as though we were in the Arctic!  To complete a perfect ride we then discovered a group of Dartmoor ponies grazing in the snow near Water Oak Corner.  They weren't a bit frightened of us, and allowed themselves to be fed, stroked and photographed!

The final descent to Cross Furzes was negotiated with a little more caution than usual.  Keir successfully rode the ford for the first time, then we headed homewards for a well-earned Christmas social that didn't finish until late in the evening.

Please note: The Christmas Lunch ride that we had planned for today proved too expensive for most of our riders, but we will be happy to arrange some special activities during the Christmas week according to demand.

Another well-attended ride - the first when schoolfriends Louis and Sol actually made it to the same event - started with a brisk ride through Dean to South Brent, where Plymco provided lunch for those who had neglected to pack any food.  Riding on to Avonwick we took the back lanes up to the tiny village of North Huish, then took the long and fast descent to Bickham Bridge, a tranquil wooded spot on the river Avon that provided everything needed for an action-packed lunch stop.  The youngsters finished their food quickly so they had plenty of time to play pooh sticks off the bridge with sticks that were so large that two of them were required to carry them!  Louis and Sol also recorded a dramatic chase scene with Michael's video camera.

We continued along the picturesque lanes to the village of Diptford, and then on to Rattery for the final descent to Buckfastleigh via Pennywell farm.  Louis and Sol spent the afternoon editing their earlier video and recording a new one, just to show how good they are at drama!

The weather looked promising and everyone seemed capable so today we set out for the longest ride of the year so far.  After riding through Ashburton and Bickington we met Tao and Louis at Chudleigh Bridge somewhat later than arranged.  Chudleigh provided our last opportunity to buy lunch, but just as we were leaving, Chris' derailleur tangled itself with the rear spokes and required considerable effort to return it to usability.  Chris had come out on his old bike as, apparently, he couldn't be bothered to get his new bike out of the shed!

The sun came out as we took the quiet lanes up to Beggars' Bush, making everyone feel bright and enthusiastic.  Two more delays caused by Chris' derailleur just made us all the more determined to reach our intended destination.  Crossing the very busy A380 took longer than expected, but soon we had ridden along the tracks to Mamhead Obelisk and were enjoying lunch overlooking the Exe estuary, with spectacular views to Exmouth and beyond.

It was nearly 3pm when we set off for the return journey, which took us along the Haldon ridge to Telegraph Hill and the racecourse and then down towards Chudleigh from Buller's Hill.  When Keir got a puncture we really wondered what we had done to deserve so many problems.  Tao did the honours this time, leaving us with precious little time before dusk.  Louis and Tao left us as Chudleigh Knighton, Keir returned home at Heathfield, and the rest of us made it as far as Bickington before Chris' derailleur finally gave up the ghost.  So in the end, Michael's hopes that he could avoid removing it and shortening the chain were dashed.  There was tiredness all around as we took the back lanes through Ashburton, arriving home by around 5.30.  Lights will now be a requirement for everyone on Sunday rides!

Charlie had been dreading Dartmeet hill ever since he saw it from the track, but as it turned out he wasn't anywhere near the last person up the hill - some youngsters just can't stop talking!  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent Dr Blackall's track along the Dart valley and the subsequent high speed descent to New Bridge.  A final climb to Holne Chase allowed us to finish on the Slalom track through Hembury Woods, a favourite with many of our riders.  

Crossing the moorland behind the beacon we were soon enjoying the rough descent to Aish: there were a few tumbles along the way but the soft grass ensured that nobody was hurt.  A final section of track brought us to some tarmac from where we continued along lanes that had even Gavin confused until we reached South Brent.  The local Plymco provided lunch, and when everyone had eaten their fill we returned to Buckfastleigh via Harbourneford once again.  Congratulations to all the youngsters who took part in today's ride.

We had clocked up 11 miles by the time we reached Fermoys restaurant, so Keir and Ben were eagerly looking forward to their first twenty mile ride as we tucked into a range of excellent value lunchtime meals.  When everyone was rested we set off for our return route via Ipplepen and Staverton, calling in at Orley Common for a quick spin around the tracks. 

The showers began in earnest as we left the park.  Some proposed a detour along Beaston track, but sanity ruled the day and we headed back on tarmac via Green Lane.  Ben concluded the ride by falling off at 3mph and being more concerned about the health of his bike than himself.  When everyone had showered and eaten lunch, many took advantage of the afternoon social at Crofters.

Several Western Power Distribution vans were parked outside Crofters when we returned.  Apparently a squirrel has short-circuited a three-phase overhead line in Michael's field while we had been out, causing a loud explosion and leaving half of Buckfastleigh without electricity.  Sadly the squirrel will no longer be visiting Michael's bird table.

The ride along the Avon River would have been straightforward if Joe had kept his eyes open and not turned left with Louis after everyone else had ridden past.  Twenty minutes later they finally rejoined the group, with Joe looking distinctly sheepish about his mistake.  Everyone was doing well today though, including new rider Chris, so we had no difficulty returning via Rattery by the usual 1.30 deadline.  As usual, an afternoon of computer games was enjoyed by nearly all those present.

The remainder of the evenings was spent enjoying Michael's newly-refurbished lounge - and the usual computer games of course.

The route back to Buckfastleigh was busy for the next few miles, taking us through Churston, Paignton and Marldon before we finally hit the quiet lanes to Red Post.  This had been long and har, but both lads coped well with the strain.

Harry's ever-quickening puncture required an increasing frequency of pump stops on the route home through Pridhamsleigh and Green Lane, so it was close to 9.30 when we finally arrived home. 

The village's maize of narrow, old-fashioned streets were packed with people despite the lateness of the season.  We ate lunch overlooking the river, plagued by some seabirds intent on getting as much of our food as possible.  After browsing several of the fascinating shops we enjoyed ice-cream deserts in the Tasty Corner cafe and then headed back to the large expanse of beach for some frisbee throwing.  A strong wind made the activity slightly more difficult than usual so we quickly moved to rockpool exploration before continuing on our journey homewards.  Cornwall always offers an exciting day out, and today had been no exception.

Our weekend to Bellever began with slightly improved weather conditions than had been displayed during the morning.  Harry and Gage were on their first weekend trip, and whilst Gage had bought a rack for his bike and affixed some borrowed panniers, Harry was content to let Michael carry his small bags of spare clothes and food.

A nasty shower at Holne forced us to take cover under the slide, but it soon cleared up and we were off again to Venford reservoir and Combestone Tor.  Sunshine followed us all the way through Hexworthy to Huccaby bridge, where we took time out to enjoy the deserted beauty spot to the full.  A short ride along the Two Bridges road brought is the Dunnabridge and the long track across the moor to Bellever Woods.  More brilliant sunshine accompanied us, although the breeze was a little stiff at times.  A final descent through the woods brought us to Bellever youth hostel by 6.15pm, where Gavin (who had been working all afternoon) was waiting for us.

The hostel was further upgraded in February: there is now a proper games room, the staircase has been moved and the toilets and showers have been completely replaced.  Gage's noodles didn't look too appetising, but at least he prepared them himself.  Harry only had a pot noodle, but he still needed help to make it: his contribution was to boil the kettle and get the fork!  We can forgive him though as he's only 10.  The warden, previously a chef at Buckfastleigh's Furzeleigh Mill guest house, offered an excellent menu of home-cooked food, so Gavin and Michael were pleased to order treacle puddings to conclude their meals.  The remainder of the evening was spent walking to the river in the semi-darkness and playing games of pool in the games room.

Sunday morning dawned as sunny and dry as predicted.  When Gage had returned from the top of the first hill to retrieve his gloves we pressed on to Postbridge where everyone walked around the clapper bridges and Gage bought a souvenir from the village store (made in China!).  Riding on again the youngsters were interested in the Powder Mills site, used in the 19th century for the water-powered manufacture of gunpowder for local farmers.  We diverted again to look around the derelict buildings, having a good look at the chimneys and the proving canon.

The stiff headwind made the journey into Princetown a little more arduous than planned, so were were glad to see the Foxtor cafe looming large in front of us.  Service was exceptionally slow today, but we were kept amused by the Torbay CTC members taking part in an Audax ride; they had been reading of our antics in the Highway, but their first question was "which one is Gage?".  Gage had no idea he was so famous!

The only really unpleasant shower of the day forced us to abandon plans to investigate the railway cycle path and head directly for home.  Harry, who had earlier said he didn't mind getting wet at all, now had different ideas.  The shower came to and end fairly quickly so we detoured home via Dartmeet Hill and Dr Blackall's drive, Joe discovering along the way that Gage's idea of a shortcut via Sharp Tor was not such a good idea after all.  The track descent was as exhilarting as usual, and we even had time for ice creams in the afternoon sunshine at New Bridge.  All the youngsters thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and looked forward to our next exciting adventure.

More pictures in the gallery.

While we were contemplating the possibility of taking in Fingle Bridge and Chagford on the return route we continued along the valley to Dunsford and rode the first half of the delightful woodland track from Steps Bridge.  The heat was by now very oppressive, however, and with Gage still a relative newcomer we decided to return via Chudleigh Knighton, Bovey Tracey and Bickington - longer, but significantly easier.

Bogs made the descent to the Abbots Way more difficult than we had imagined, but once there we were able to follow paths along the upper sections of the river Avon as it passed through rich and stunning moorland scenery that few people ever get to see.  Gage was pleased to have completed his stage 4 offroad qualification and to have visited the Avon Dam, his Stage 2 destination.  The going had been difficult at times, but this had been a spectacular ride through the heart of Dartmoor that none of us will forget.

After crossing a ford and descending some steep banks the gorse began to close in until we were forcing our way past the most prickly of bushes.  Just when it seemed we might have to turn back we arrived at the path gate, with just enough light remaining to negotiate the steep and rocky descent into the valley.  A final splash through the Holy Brook brought us to Michelcombe ready for the final journey home through Scoriton.

We continued along the track past Honeybag tor which both lads thoroughly enjoyed, descended to Widecombe for refreshments and then headed over to Ponsworthy for the big decision on whether to go for the climb to Dr Blackall's Drive.  The sight of the initial stages of the climb didn't encourage them, but they both decided to go for it and soon we were speeding down one of the most spectacular tracks on Dartmoor.  Of course when they reached the bottom they just wanted to do it all again, but time was pressing on so we contented ourselves with refreshments from the ice cream van and a homeward ride through Hembury Woods.

Next stop was Manaton village hall, converted for one afternoon into a cafe serving cream teas.  The squashes were so small that we needed four or five to quench our thirst, but at 30p each we couldn't really complain.  We took the shortcut to Hound Tor via Bowerman's Nose, a tall stack of rock that supposedly looks like a head if viewed from the right angle.  We were anxious to get home today, however, so we pressed on past Cold East Cross to Ashburton.

By the time we reached River Dart Adventures (the new name for River Dart Country Park) we decided to skip the planned climb to Gallant Le Bower and ride instead along the bridleway near Hele.  This was another of Matthew's suggestions, so we weren't completely surprised when the second part turned out to be a sea of wet, smelly cow dung!  We spread plenty of manure on the roads into Ashburton, then took the back road home to Buckfastleigh.

When shoes had been reunited with feet we took the easiest route home via California Cross gagare, which provide welcome refreshments for the final leg of the journey through South Brent.  Jack did incredibly well to complete 35 miles on his first Sunday ride, and Gage also deserves a commendation for doing so well on his third ever club ride.

To conclude an enjoyable evening we took the track from Gallant Le Bower to River Dart Country Park and returned via the road from Ashburton.  Ben seemed to enjoy his first ride so we hope he will find time to join us again.