Sorry no pictures!

Met up with Bob, Terry and Sonny at Morrisons car park at exactly 0930hrs (well done the team for arriving on time). Left a few minutes to see if any others would arrive but alas no one did.  We set off for the first lane of the day 201-038, now this a good test of nerve and a very difficult lane to set the tone of riding for rest of the day.  Amazingly we all cleared the bottom section with ease and then proceeded along the grassy moorland along the top where we happened upon Martin (Laserman) and friend coming in the other direction.  After reacquainting ourselves we invited Martin and friend to join us but unfortunately they were on a tight schedule, we said our goodbyes and continued for a few yards anyway.  Exiting this lane there was a dog walker who seemed very animated, Terry and myself continued but Sonny and Bob stopped to have a few words.  The animated dog walker was taking photographs of Terry and myself, Sonny stopped to explain who we were and what we were doing and diffused the situation. Well done sonny, a great PR Man.

We continued on to the trio of dead end lanes(202-040, 202-039 and 202-357) were we met some more walkers who were very polite as we passed them on the way and back where Terry decided to hone up on his PR skills stopping and having a chat to show them that we are not all ogres.

It was at the end of the 202-357 that we stopped to check out the new signpost that was decidedly tempting to obey pointing out a new section of County Road,  unfortunately the signpost was not yet fixed into the ground and on closer inspection pointing in the wrong direction.  Tempting as it was (as I am sure we could have argued the case) discretion was used and we turned around to ride the delightful 201-039. 

There was still a bit of snow around to play with and a quick foray into proved that it is very difficult to navigate with trial tyre rear pattern. Sonny also found that sometimes innocent snow has hidden objects underneath.  We carried on to 201-057 where to our utter amazement this has been RESURFACED (who would do such a thing!).

 

Heading around the back of Tavistock we rode XXX-XXX (this one doesn't have a number) and on through Peter Tavy to ride the marvellously rocky 201-055. This lane had a road closed sign that we duly ignored and was in the same state as normal which makes it great for us, no dramas here so onwards through Mary Tavy to 201-054. Here we met some residents clearing some branches from the lane and they didnt seems surprised or bothered to see us. Bob then informed us he was getting low on fuel so decided to head up the extra long linked 201-060, 191-100 and 191-061 to sourton.  This lane was quite a challenge, trees and branches obstructing our path at frequent intervals but this just added to the fun.  A quick trip to the filling station to top up on unleaded for the bikes and caffeine for the humans, then headed back down the same trio of linked lanes to 201-008 which we rode in both directions, never rode this downwards before and is quite a challenge.

On Bobs recommendation and foresightedness we decided to give Lew woods a wide berth as they were running a trial there the day after, so onto 201-002. I tried to get Sonny with the pendulous kiddies swing but made poor contact allowing him easy progress (next time!).  Then onto one of my all time favourites 201-007,  it did not disappoint but alas we all made it up without issues or badgers spotted.  Through Chillaton and up 201-011 which was a superb ride.  

We then headed to Willesly 201-014 which I dont think anyone has ridden for a while, this lane was healing from the exploits of the 4x4 brigade but still looked sore. The farmer had been putting up some fences to protect his saplings which do not obstruct our progress.  The journey down the field was slippery and boggy, Im glad we didnt ride it up as this would have been very slippy.  Once through the gate and down to the stream the fun started on the way up, this too was boggy and difficult to keep any sort of rhythm and as Sonny pointed out was a real Aerobic exercise.

We finished with the trio of lanes 201-061, 201-016 and finally the last one of the day 201-030 which took us back to Tavistock bus station for coffee. 

 

A great days riding by all on some tricky lanes.  Not a single badger spotted, Squirrel  chased or even a trout tickled. We obviously were not trying hard enough!

 

Thanks to Bob, Terry and Sonny for their company and an excellent adventure.

Chris