Well I arrived at the garage this morning, it was cold ( Ive been a fair weather rider for the past 7 years ) but dry which made a pleasant change after the recent rain fall, I was the first there fueled up and waited for the sound of motors, a few were a little late as it was apparently a nightmare getting through town as most of it was closed off.
Everyone soon rolled up, I was planning on keeping this ride to around 8 people max but as it turned out everyone had a +1 or 4, so we ended up with a group of 12.
We soon set off using the second man drop back technique and having an experienced rider picking up the rear to make sure we didn't loose anybody, we took the first group of lanes steady 202-193,194,195,196, so everyone could find there footing as we had first timers, novices, newcomers and experienced riders all in this group.
After exiting 202-196 I then asked the group if they fancied tackling D*!"£$%^&*s which they all did (Evil Laugh), so off went, Surprisingly there was a lot of success, and only one or two struggling but all made it up (well done all) so after patting each other on the back we went on to 202-179 where we noticed we were two men down, as it turns out one of the bikes failed to start again after 202-306 (it was a blue one ), unfortunately the chap had to organise a lift and head home for an early shower.
So the group of now 11 carried on, the pace was increasing slightly and everyone was making good progress, we then nailed 202-171,172,180,173,174,181,198, with ease until on the approach to the main road when Kev thought he was on his road bike for a second and got his knee down followed by his arm, shoulder and head, he picked himself up dusted himself off (no major injuries other than pride) and we were ready to crack on.
We then did 202-184,182,309,160, after exiting 202-160 I then lead the group through the ford at Bow Bridge, again plenty of success apart from two taking a bath, Yes you guessed it, one of them was Kev , after the laughing had stopped and the socks had been rung out we set off for 202-164,310,165,298,166 were we met a couple of horses, had a brief chat then on to 202-167,199,200,201.
We then had a well deserved lunch stop in Dartmouth petrol station, fueled bikes, fueled bodies and we were off to the ferry, once on the other side, we headed for 202-202 which has now had all the overhanging tree's removed and on to 202-203, we turned around and went back up 202-203,202 where we passed a youngster on a 125 laning by himself (he had all the appropriate gear and was ridding responsibly), I then waited on the main road for a while to allow us to regroup, apparently there was another off.
once together again we set off for 202-169,153,152,134,139 through Totnes and onto a very wet & muddy 202-295 to many badgers to count on this one and a lot of very muddy bikers emerging from the other end, then on to 202-144,143, both with very deep puddles, I believe Kev went swimming again.
We then went on to a lovely 202-130 with running water over slate (Beautiful lane), 202-095 were I tangled myself up in a barbwire fence.
I then took the group up a very boggy 202-086 with an awkward climb into the field, people were getting fatigued by now and a lot of mistakes were being made.
Once we got moving again it was on to 202-085 and 202-084 with more deep mud and another off.
Back to 202-085 and on to 202-337,338,120,121,122 with the Sun going down and being at perfect eye level making it very difficult to ride any lane.
We got to 202-129 and found it blocked with an electric fence, a quick group discussion and we decided to disconnect the power get the bikes through and reconnect it the way we found it.
Then it was on to 202-172,171,179 with the sun still in our eyes, at this point the group split into two groups some took the ride around along 202-178 and the rest took the decent down 202-306, we regrouped on the main road and headed for 202-196 with another off, 202-195,194,193.
We cleaned our plates, said our good bye's and headed home, great day, plenty of laughs, awesome company, I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Thank you all for coming, I enjoyed every minute of leading this ride.
Please could you all PM me your TRF details and the details of the people you brought along i.e. name & approximate address for the run sheet.
Looked like a good ride Justin, I was hoping to join you on that one untill I see the RIDE-FULL sign, hate those, too many of those over in Devon, hell I always say if people want to go let em, still remember the ride down west when 40 turned out; what a great day!! another time. Terry
"unfortunately the chap had to organise a lift and head home for an early shower"
I saw my mate in work today and you'll never guess what ...... about 3mins after he'd told me to leave him his bike fired up so he gave chase in the hope he'd catch up with me/us. He cleaned Devils Steps on that, his second ever attempt (get on!), charged through the muddy puddle at the top. He then ascertained from the tracks we'd gone left and continued to give chase. He then found the next lane (where i met back up with the group). Then crossed the main road and hit the next, sussed that we'd gone right at the end so followed. He made it to the end of the next lane but at the junction with the main road the tracks were lost so he didnt know which way we'd headed. Gutted, but damn good going for someone who didnt have a clue where he was going!
He looks forward to joining us again soon.
40 wow, that's crazy but sounds like a brilliant day, wouldn't want to be tec though , I have to admit, I feel very much the same, "if they want to ride let em", however as this was probably one of the largest runs I've been on yet and as well as it being my second time leading I was just trying to keep the numbers to a reasonable amount that I felt comfortable with, you should have sent me a PM Terry you would have been more than welcome to join us. I believe Steve is sorting a run for you guy's at the end of the month, hopefully me and a friend will be joining you all on that one as well, we did a run with him a week or so ago and had a right giggle, lots of mud and some cracking lanes, hopefully see you there.
Geoff that's gutting about your mate, but good attempt for a catch up, I bet he flew up Devils Steps after getting his bike started again(good on him), he must have missed us by no more than a few minutes, what rotten luck, I'm glad it didn't put him off though and I look forward to him joining us again soon. Also I know I said thanks on the day, but thanks again for being a superb tec and keeping the group moving, you and everyone else that helped did a top job on the day, nice one.
) but dry which made a pleasant change after the recent rain fall, I was the first there fueled up and waited for the sound of motors, a few were a little late as it was apparently a nightmare getting through town as most of it was closed off.
), unfortunately the chap had to organise a lift and head home for an early shower.
, after the laughing had stopped and the socks had been rung out we set off for 202-164,310,165,298,166 were we met a couple of horses, had a brief chat then on to 202-167,199,200,201.