A steady ride to Loddiswell peaked with a nostalgic run along the old railway path to Topsham Bridge - clear at last bar a fallen tree and judged 'all right' by off-road sceptic John. On the lanes home we were held by three huge tractor trailers, likely fresh from a ploughing match.

After a quick catch-up with Gavin’s family following their mini Bonfire Night, we settled back to finish our game of Risk. It proved absorbing and occasionally baffling—thanks to some unusual moves from Will—and by 10.25 we were photographing the board to resume another day.

A relaxed ride to Bovey Tracey turned into a curtailed out-and-back: after brisk miles to coffee and cakes at the Brookside Tearooms, we learned the Primrose Cafe in Lustleigh had closed, then an urgent text sent John home and we retraced by the shortest route.

A relaxed games night of friendly rivalry: PC games to start, then lively music quizzes that moved from raised hands to written answers. Everyone enjoyed it; they each won a game, then George took a second before leaving a little early at 10.10.

A chilly canal spin to Powderham was marked by the brand-new path and bridge at Turf Lock—smart, but it shut out estuary views—and a muddled search for the café. With Alfie along we ate outside in the cold before a quicker, easier return via the proper route.

An easy-going games evening became strategic as a new Risk sparked alliances—George with John, Dillan with Michael—and we stopped with general agreement that Dillan was strongest. Beforehand we debated alternatives to the fully booked Ilsington Hotel for the Christmas Lunch ride.

Surface water defined the day: cars sent a wave over Dillan, filling his shoes. Coffee at Costa Kingsteignton steadied things; plans switched from Trago to Subway, and a smooth run home via East Ogwell and Denbury ended a ride better than it began.

Advertised as a video evening, it turned into games, with the younger members absorbed in Supreme Commander while John and Michael chatted and sketched tour ideas for 2017. We still watched a Star Trek original series episode, which John found interesting.

A quiet Games Evening with just George and Dillan soon warmed up: after some computer games, we all switched to Twenty Questions and kept it going until 10.15—a simple, lively round that had everyone laughing.

A brisk run along the back lanes to Endsleigh, opting for the quiet farm café after finding a huge queue at the main one. We returned via Ivybridge, where George bought a Subway while others tried cheap Tesco sandwiches that disappointed, rounding off an energetic ride.

A quiet games evening with only George and Dillan attending, starting with Supreme Commander on the PCs before we all switched at 9pm to Star Wars Monopoly. The move from real-time strategy to galactic property dealing set a relaxed, good-humoured tone.

On a sunny but chilly ride to Holne, the day hinged on Gavin’s rear puncture and split tyre, kept going by repeated pumps until Hayley arrived with replacements. Slow service from new chef Pippa at the Holne Community Cafe added to the wait before we rolled back via Hembury Woods.