Exceptional weather conditions call for exceptional club rides. Last night's light snowfall - the first real snow of the season - was quickly melting in Buckfastleigh, but the roads were still too treacherous for cycling so we made the most of the morning by using the car to search for thicker snow. We found it at Venford reservoir and spent the rest of the morning enjoying snowball fights.

It was Lawrence's idea to build two "forts" for a massive battle. It took over an hour to roll up enough snow blocks to make walls of a suitable size, but everyone was very satisfied with the results and the battle rounds that ensued were the highlight of the day. The rules were simple: if you were hit by a snowball you were out of the round, and the last team standing were the winners. I have to report that Lawrence and Michael's team won all three main rounds, but everyone had a great deal of fun.