Despite a grim forecast, those who turned up salvaged the day with a dry loop through the Tuckenhay and Dittisham lanes, extended by the Dittisham-Greenway ferry. The mood was set by a smoky Dart Cafe and weak hot chocolate, then a 20-minute wait for a reluctant ferryman on his last day.

A well‑attended AGM reshaped the club: local coordinators took over activity planning and the Social Secretary post was dropped, backed by an expanded winter ride programme and firmer safety rules (lights essential, no headphones) — with the first extra ride courting the local press.

Immaculate timing saw the Paignton-heavy field merge at Fishacre Barton for a gentle run to the garden centre café, briefly enlivened by a certain teacher’s ill‑judged apple scrump. The day will be remembered for the Beaston track: six punctures and a long halt with only one decent pump.

A blustery North Dartmoor reliability ride became a day of happy coincidences, from an impromptu roadside ‘AGM’ over lunch with familiar faces to a deer pausing in the lane before vanishing into cover. Minor niggles—a puncture and a slipped chain—were soon fixed and spirits stayed high.

A relaxed autumn ride to Lawrence Castle was shaped by small delays and big smiles: the forecast rain never came, we lingered at the Canonteign Falls café and playground, swapped bikes on the track and twice fixed punctures, before gliding back through the glowing Haldon woods.

A packed evening at Michael's lounge at Crofters saw us relive a year's riding, with the Cornwall coast and Scotland tours drawing the strongest memories. Paul Smith travelled from Basingstoke to join us, adding to the sense of occasion.

A day ruled by delays: a late start from Marldon was followed by farce when Martin discovered he had no front brake, triggering a long hunt for tools. Later the cafe at Stoke-in-Teignhead was shut, and only a belated stop at Pick 'n' Park steadied the mood.

Persistent rain scuppered Noss Mayo, so we regrouped at the Copper Kettle in South Brent before a playful detour to Gidley Bridge for a picnic, where attempts to topple each other into the stream set the tone; the Paignton contingent, led by Gary in Dave’s absence, sensibly headed home.

The first games evening of the new season at Southpark Centre was a real success, with 23 enjoying table tennis, pool and board games. The standout moment saw members trying short mat bowls in the main hall, guided by the local indoor bowling club.

On a cold, sunny afternoon we swept down Aircraft Hill and along the quiet lane by the millpond to Duncannon, a gentle ride made memorable by newcomers who tried hard and kept up. The riverside finish and the hush by the millpond gave the day its calm character.

Richard feared that starting from Chudleigh Bridge would make reaching Hittisleigh difficult, but a brisk ride in brilliant autumn sunshine via unfamiliar roads brought him and Hazel in by 12.10—just in time for lunch before the AGM. A tailwind sped them home, and his mileometer showed the route was no longer than feared.

Determined to try the Ashburn-to-Whiddon track the hard way, we ground up through Whiddon Woods and still reached Sigford, despite Paul’s puncture near the top. Enjoyable if testing, and we resolved to return early next year to ride it the easier way.