Devon TRF Group Forum

Last minute change of plans meant I was free to ride today, so Butty and I headed out from the Badlands of Chard a little after 9.

First time for a long time I wasn't wearing my waterproofs, as the sky was clear and blue.

Here be a picture before we found the mud.

For some reason my RA chose not to work, later turn out to be the cradle which had given up - new one modified and already on the bike now. Butty and I decided not to lead, but to just ride, and we headed down to 193-002, and then the lesser ridden 193-022.

Mile or two later and we were on the short but sweet 193-004, and then riding down the left hand side of 193-021, less water this side!

Butty broke left down the very rarely ridden 193-006 - not as long as 005, but worth doing as its quite a steep little one.

Now into 192 territory, and we started with one of my favourites which is 046.

Up 054 and through the deep mud, cracking lane this still. Turn right and make a loop of 043, 041 and 040 with the resident yapping dog, and then onto 228, a cut through 280 and down 227.

It was a this point I started to realise the 640 is not a heavy ole beast, just a size of up the EXC, and much easier to ride than I had thought.

Loop round to the West to ride down 051 and then a break by the river in 052 (Jon's Lane).

Massive hail shower as soon as we left - so much for the blue skies!

062, 063, 066 and 065 were ridden without incident, and then we had to choose left or right, so we turned right, and headed for the black stuff to say hi to the guys working at Smeatharpe.

Had a nosy round but couldn't find you Doug (left the bikes at the top and walked) - the course is looking great for next weekend.

After walking back to the bikes, we headed down towards Uppottery and onto a nice little white marked road, and then into 238, up 009 and then down the fields of 192-010.

Both the top and bottom gates were padlocked, so I lifted the gate off its hinges to get through - this can be done both at the top and the bottom - even waved at the local resident whilst trying to find traction as I passed his house - bit muddy there you see

226 and through the ford of 013 deep on one side still....

Back over the A30 and into 029, back up 041 & 042, then down the humps in 044 and up 046 - where Butty had a quick go on the 640.

Homeward bound through 193-005, 021, 004, 001 (tree cleared) and then finally 002.

Took the bike for a wash down, damn that Rhino Shine is good! The water beaded of when I started the engine, dry within 2 minutes.

No idea of mileage or amount of lanes ridden, and I don't care cos we had fun.

Cheers for coming / leading etc Butty.

Lane log sent.