Well everyone ready to go on time and it was a welcome to Russell who I'd never met before, Thundercat Steve for getting out in 2011!!!, Steve who'd I'd met at the Cadover moto-x track last Wednesday and invited along, Nic (Scoe000) who I'd met once at Goodrington, Justin & Martyn who'd been out us just once before - and the other regular lot
Advertised as a novice friendly run, but as the conditions were dry and dusty and everyone was making such good progress, nobody opted out of the tougher lanes - like Devil Steps, 202-099, -086 nor the final slog up 154 (for the remaining 6).
So after starting with the few lanes on my doorstep (Plympton) it was Yealmpton then off to Devil Steps. Had 4 'cleaners' (well done us 4) and a few nightmares. Worse was Martyn who dropped his XR and knocked the brake lever clean off. We had no spare available and of course not wanting to do a run with no front brake (because who would be daft enough to do or publisise that!!!) Martyn opted to head home for an early shower . Schoe followed up the slippery group and had an off trying to come out of the final lefthand gulley - and the rest had some success and some not in fighting their way to the top. But 8 made it and a lot of proud faces at the top -- well done newer folk!! On from here there was ZERO water in the large mud lake and a small amount on the final bend.
Progress then made via Wheeldon and on to Bow Bridge. Well the water was pretty low and I thought the going would be easy. Geoff and myself cleaned our way thru it and looked behind to Thundercat Steve fall off to his right, closely followed by Russell falling to his left - it was such a funny sight and so quick neither camera-man nor video-Geoff caught it fast enough. Even more funny was the fact they could barely get going again. It seems with the slow flow of the water, there is a buildup of slippery stuff on the underlying pebbles/stones/rocks and the rest of the group all had a bit of a mare crossing - although eveyone else stayed upright.
Of to a suprisingly dry and easy 202-295 before popping into Totnes for pastie and fuel. Fully refreshed it was off to -099 at xxxx-Ho where everyone got up with reasonable amounts of success and style. No one stopped nor fell. Completed the loop of lanes before heading back via Totnes/Dartington and off to Rattery. Finished the lanes here before saying goodbye to Steve who needed to head for home. Rest of group hit the wonderful 202-086 at Dean. The climb up into the field was met with the normal mixed-bag of success and I'm sure Geoff has a nice clip of me tumbling off the bike.....in style... right at the top of this little climb.
Said our goodbyes to Nic as he headed back to the Rivieria. Final lane for the rest of us was -154 and again despite always being a bit of a slog, was made much easier by the dryness of it.
Well done to all riders - we made great progress and the conquored all in their path. Shame for Martyn to leave so early as I know he was looking forward to this longer run. Next time mate.
Finally sorry for all the dust and looking at the state of some faces, you must have eaten a fair few Kg's of the stuff. Bring on some wetness hey!!!
Cheers for great company guys................ 'til the next time
Route
** Not shown on this forum - but route summary shown in members area of DTRF forum if you're interested**
Steve and Russell after their tumble
Nic and Ben
Steve
Gripper at xxxx-Ho
...Russell
Russell having fun at Dean
Gripper
Steve
-- Edited by Wheely on Wednesday 25th of May 2011 12:47:12 PM
Nice write up Wheely and thanks again for another day of great lanes.
Also thanks to Ben & Geoff who spent the day keeping an eye on some of us newer folk and giving sound advice on how to tackle some of the more technical lanes of the day.
All in all, I had a great time with some great company on some great lanes, cheers everyone.
nice vids geoff, wheely bites the dust a rare occurrence, toughie that one as i found out on a wheely run, great lanes out that way though, might have to indulge again
. Schoe followed up the slippery group and had an off trying to come out of the final lefthand gulley - and the rest had some success and some not in fighting their way to the top. But 8 made it and a lot of proud faces at the top -- well done newer folk!! On from here there was ZERO water in the large mud lake and a small amount on the final bend.
