We were disappointed with the turnout for our very special Christmas Lunch ride to the Ilsington Country Hotel. Ben would have been with us if his rear derailleur hadn't tormented him just before the ride, and a few others just couldn't afford the £16 ticket price for the day. Nevertheless three of us set off from Buckfastleigh on a perfect sunny morning, and Zac, who had been off school for much of the previous week, joined us with his bike near Ilsington just after Ryan and Glen had completed the long climb from Bickington!

We made good progress, arriving exactly on time at 12.30 which gave us nearly an hour to enjoy the private pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Thoroughly refreshed, we were treated to an excellent three-course meal, the soup, turkey and Christmas pudding being particularly delicious. Coffee had risen from £1 per person to £2.90 per person, so we decided to head straight home to avoid the worst of the after-dark chill. Zac's brakes caused him a few problems along the way, limiting his enjoyment of the downhill sections between Birchanger and Ashburton, but he didn't need collecting and we got back to Buckfastleigh by 4.45, just seconds before our fingers froze solid!