Seven Thursday Nighters had another week-end at East Ilsley with Inkpen Beacon as the main attraction and there was a hostelling jaunt to Cranborne.  Fortnightly Saturday afternoon rides were started for new-comers and family groups and the speed-judging at Fairoaks fell to George Alesbury.

In June, Ray Craig organised an all night ride to Plymouth to see a stage of the Tour de France.  Thursday Nighters had a sausage supper at Gracious Pond and the joint run with the K.W.'s included lunch at Selborne and tea at Tongham, while the Bluebell Railway also received a visit.

In mid month Bill Inder was taken completely unawares when an innocent invitation to a family meal at Guildford to celebrate his 70th birthday turned out to be a gathering of 24 of his cycling cronies.  Don Field recalled Bill's 53 years association with the D.A. and presented him with an illuminated address produced by Dennis Gray and also a hand-carved paper weight depicting the various stages of cycles through the ages, the work of Harold Coleman.

In August, members manned a stand at the Guildford Town Show and also gave a great deal of assistance with the BCTC final in the Surrey hills - both in wet weather.  The BCTC event was particularly badly hit.  A downpour delayed the Dorking start and most of the day was spent under capes.  Typed instructions disintegrated as the 50 finalists experienced drizzle, deluge, hailstones, strong gusts of wind, thunder and lightning.  At the finish at Dorking Halls, over 150 hot meals were served to competitors and helpers.

A church hall at Elstead came into use as a favourite tea place and, in September, the Tourists' Trial was repeated.

Guest speaker at the Cotteridge dinner was Bill Bellerby, deputy mayor of Guildford and the Christmas tea for over 40 was again at Tongham but, prior to that, at the Ripley A.G.M., Chris Jeggo and Keith Parfitt came on to the committee and the results of the photographic competition, judged by Les Gray, were made known at a Horsell slide show. Help was given in route planning and checking rides by a number of boys and girls intent on Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Ewhurst Green and Ripley were again the meal stops for the joint ride with the K.W.'s and new tea places included, The Silent Pool, Upper Hale and Crowthorne.  Over the Christmas holidays, parties toured in the Scottish Highlands, the Derbyshire Dales and the Lake District while, during the year, hostels were used for week-ends at Streatley, Duntisbourne Abbots and Cranborne;  Lewis's tea room at Chertsey was used;  Stewart Jackson figured as a runs leader and Les Sutton joined, bringing in several youngsters from his area.

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Web page by Chris Jeggo.  Last revised:  25 December 2004.