Riders : Me, KwakaGeoff, Richard and from Cornwall - Pete 'n Martin (both KTM450s)
Well the ride was meant to be 6 of us, but I had a text at 10am on Saturday where someone was waiting at the garage 24 hours too early.........keen or what !! Unfortunately they couldnt make the Sunday so down to a pack of 5 laners hungry for fun. Weather was pretty good, we'd already had some light rain so that kept around 75% of the lanes fairly dust free - so at least I wasnt sat with a bunch of poo-faces for lunch
Route took us out NE-bound through Lee Mill, Ivybridge, Bittaford (incl the infamous 202-154 to warm you up), S.Brent, Dean, Buckfastleigh, Bickinton and Islington $imms conquered by all with ease - although looking quite worn from recent trials - so will be fun when the crap weather comes back) before heading in a more northerly direction towards Bovey Tracey then Manaton and the looping back around the moors lanes towards Widecombe.
Lanes were still dry enough to cause little slow down and progress by all at a nice pace. Water level on 191-069 quite pittiful as we passed a group of young teenage girls picnicing by the river bank. I think it was on the nice narrow rocky 191-073 that my bike got very wobbly on the last granite step down and ended up going up the bank with me sliding gracefully off the back and standing there wondering what happened - & of course our favourite cameraman was sat right up my chuff recording all the action!!! There's no let-up for run leading..............
At Widecombe it was a pleasant lunch stop (pasty at the car park booth) and despite the threat of some rain, it stayed away.
From here we finished off the South bound lanes before heading back to Buckfastleigh. Everyone was still gagging for more lanes so over to Rattery before heading SW and taking in the lanes between Wheeldon and Yealmpton. We took the easy option around going down Devil Steps and then looped around to go up it -- again all 5 manged without any off's at all (this will so change next time it rains ).
Last lane of the day was 202-192 where deep water is always guaranteed and I wouldnt dare do this after heavy rain. Everyone took the correct 'keep left' route and all got across without drowning, although a few boots did fill themselves to their brims.
Another great day and a nice long and fun run. Our guests Martin and Pete were a great laugh and good riders too. Will get ourselves into the Cornish land soon and join these guys for a days laning (I know Brownie, Harty and co had great fun there lately).
Til the next time...............
Route
"See Devon TRF post of the same name (in members area) to view route"
202-096 where I got to chat to a couple of nice girle whilst waiting for the possie. I let them ride past whilst I chatted some more
And then onto the deep deep water...........all bikes survive this
Big thanks to Mark for showing us around some of your cracking lanes. Devils Steps, Simm and many others, nice to have a go at the tough ones we hear so much about. As its been sooo dry i imagine it was a good time to ride them as i bet they would scare the crap out of us after a few days rain!!! Thanks to Richard for being TEC, you made sure we were ok and never got lost. And to KwakaGeoff for taking the vids and entertaining us on his back wheel of most f the time.
Thanks for your company guys and we look forward to giving you a day of fun and some tough action in Cornwall.
Well that was a great days riding chaps and some good laughs as well, thanks Mark for doing a great job leading us around and Geoff looking after us in the middle and not to forget Rich TEC who got all our dust.
Its nice to meet up with you chaps after reading and watching your ride reports over the past year or so, and ride some of the well talked of lanes like Devil steps and Simms although i think i had my eyes shut most of the time ("just hang on" thats what mother used to say .Also i managed to get some air down the lane with steps in,Peter will verify this it was at least half an inch or so of daylight under my tyres which for me is a death defying leap
Thank for the company chaps and see you all soon. Down here for a ride maybe?
- & of course our favourite cameraman was sat right up my chuff recording all the action!!! There's no let-up for run leading..............
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