We didn’t quite get a white Christmas in Devon this year, but there was plenty of cold weather around to keep Torbay Section shivering throughout most of December.

Getting the month off to a good start was the Afternoon Ride which, as usual at this time of year, took place on the day after the Annual Dinner. Frank was feeling well enough to come out of hibernation for a few hours and Simon Haly made a welcome return after a break of several months. The ride took us via Berry Pomeroy to Parliament Hill, where Frank summarised the rise and fall of the British Monarchy in the time it took us to walk to the top.

As we came out at Yalberton it was getting colder and darker by the minute, and when someone mentioned something about a warm fire and a cup of tea, eight cyclists made straight for 24 Great Headland Crescent. I hope that Kevin Phillips and Paul Harman enjoyed their first ride with us – no doubt Kevin will bring a good warm pair of mitts with him next time he comes out!

(Michael Jones)