This is the trip I did Saturday, pity Chris couldnt join us, but he had fun with Barney, good to see ya out again Barn.
Going to arrange this again soon, hope to see a few of ya out with me
Date : 5th Sept 2009
Lanes : 53
Well I'd arranged a ride from South Brent towards Bovey Tracy, wanted to do some old school map reading on lanes I'd either never been (or at least not for a long while). Accompanying me were Ben and KwakkaGeoff, and then at the last minute Biff said he'd come and was joined by AndyKLX and John. Newmie also joined us as we were starting on his doorstep.
Ready to start at 10am, but the Paignton boys were running a little late, as they'd decided to lurk around Totnes to check out the new TRF lady who was joining Xtrips run . tut tut !!
Headed off to 202-122,121, 120 & 138. Then did 076 which I havent done in ages and forgot how awesome this slatey climb is. Biff found his AC-10 on the rear end of the GasGas didnt like wet slate and was quickly passed by the rest of the team. An unusual situation for Biff to be passed !!
Then onto the infamous 86 (upwards). Just before Ben got to the step-up, he'd heard a clunk when he hit something, and as he struggled up the step he found he had no front brake ! We got bike up the step and into the cow-ridden field where we found the front caliper had snapped where the hanger bolt went through it !! A bit of fumbling and we rebuilt it ready for a ride home, but no way could the brake be used !! During this repair session, all the cows (about 70 of them) had come over to check out us and the bikes - they took such a liking to some of them that they started licking them clean !!!!
At this stage Newmie had peeled off to go home, as his previously strained bicep muscle was causing his too much grief. Then there were 6.
AndyCRF
John
Geoff - cleaning the step !
Ben - before he realised he had no front brake
After the repair I showed Ben the way home. He turned around suprised and said he wanted to continue, even without the brake. Everyone was updated and agreed if he was happy to then fair enough ! So the rest of the ride, including some very steep descents, Ben did with just engine braking and a back brake - I couldnt have done that.
Onto 85, and the fun little 84 which is always full of deep mud and we almost had Biff down as the bike got pretty sideways
Biff - gettin it sideways...............
Geoff
Andy
No-Brakes Ben
Onto 109, 97 and the super fun 96. Then a bit of road riding to conquer 88,89,87,77,64 and down 63 (where Ben had a nice badger in the ruts before the fun descent). We fueled up at the bottom of this, then returned back up 63 where Geoff decided to chuck it down this time. Onto 55 then 56 where Pete had an off. YES PETE - BIFF HIMSELF FELL OFF !!! Unheard of by many - I certainly havent seen this before. His nice GasGas had found a false neutral and he'd lost control and went down like a sack of spuds - his armour protecting him from injury. Throughout the rest of the lanes Biff did, his bike jumed out of gear several more times, must to the frustraton of Pete. He's now booked it in to get looked at. Bummer !!
Onto 65, 58 and 66 where Andy (who was under orders from swmbo) had to dissappear home and John went with him. Then there were 4. Followed 67,46,26, 27 and up to the great 4,5 and 6. At this point Biff was too frustrated by his bike and took the main road home. Just the Plymouth boyz left !!!
Rest of tour was excellent and the map(s) led us to 007, 97 then joining the 191- mapping to 90, and onto Simms Hill(88). A first for at least Ben and Geoff, I may have done it before but cant remember. But we all got up without issues, luckily it was quite dry today. Onto 98 and looping back round on 105, we bumped into Brownie and SteveXr who knew we were in 'their patch' today. Brownie had just lost his satnav aerial tho, so bid us farewell to backtrack and find it (which unbelievably he managed to do). Along 87 and 102 before heading up to Bovey for a late snack (one of my standing sandwiches, no posh sit down restraunts on my runs ).
With our energy levels restored it was up 81, across 77 and down a washed out 076 (which I struggled down with both brakes !!). Final 191- lane was 075 and what a pleasure this lane is. Through the forest this lane goes on for ages, reminded me of being in Wales the lanes go on forever.
The 3 mean machines
And the 3 mean men (geoff/me/ben)
We were miles from home, so time for the long haul. Luckily we were still up for more laning, so after Newton Abbot we picked up 202-91, 101, 100 and down 99 (tally ho) where we saw the churned up mess of the visit of the trf earlier on in the day . Then up 110. Nearer to home we picked up 132, 196, 195, 194 and 193.
We stopped off for a jet wash and arrived home 6:45pm.
An excellent day and I'll certainly be doing this run again real soon. A real wel done to Ben for doing this with just the rear brake, and to Geoff who now on his 6 or 7th ever off-road run, handles everything thats thrown at him.
Mark
-- Edited by Fixer on Monday 7th of September 2009 07:48:48 AM
-- Edited by Fixer on Monday 7th of September 2009 08:04:19 AM