Devon TRF Group Forum

deci wrote:

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I regret to say I can't join you , otherwise engaged..... 

The moor is truly lovely at the moment, ....

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youaintseenme wrote:

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Hope you had a good ride today Pete. It was bl00dy hot.
 (-;

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I did have a good ride, not too far or too fast but the breeze was pleasant and sun shine lovely.

I was feeling the urge to ride my bike after three weeks without an outing and alone despite text 

invites being sent I went anyway, driving out onto the moor via the Lost City of Stormsdown

to avoid heavy traffic generated by three way lights at roadworks.

Wanting to enjoy the seasonal display of purple flowering heather crowning the the high moorland with it's delicate scent and constant background buzzing of countless bees busy at their work I started from Hound tor car park to give me easy access to the high ground. Jay's grave was decorated as usual and the recent repairs to a badly eroded path made the short climb easy before the sinuous descent to Natsworthy. 

Across the road a family were setting up barbecue camp by the picturesque ford and I hopped the front tyre over the stream watched by paddlers who stepped aside politely for me to pass. The steep grassy slope held plenty of grip and it was a pleasure to ascend 100 meters up the steepest slope all day with relative ease assisted by only 60 to 80 % of boost so I enjoyed the silence rather than wheezing with the distant views.

An elderly gent at the RAF stone memorial lamented such a a short walk but he must be quite fit for 72 to be 1 km distance and 100 m elevation from his car as most people do not, or worse can not walk that far. I took in the view looking back the way I had come and much further but saw the car park in the middle distance across a couple of folds of the land which the e bike had breezed over like the minor hills they are. Turning once again uphill but with very little height to go I enjoyed being surrounded by the purple carpet of buzzing scented shrubs as I had climbed above the dividing line between green surround and purple heights.

I took the minor right turn that looks like straight on at the left kink on the Grimspound way and crossed Hookney Down on the wide track across the dip to follow the ancient tall stone wall to the gate less gateway with its tall redundant gatepost monoliths then crossed the wide heather strewn valley to Birch tor on the Two Moors way bridleway. I first passed a mtb rider pedaling gamely across the down, then was in turn passed by him as I paused to take pics before catching up again on the next climb but decided not to leapfrog him again and paused to enjoy the splendid view sitting on the cairn above the Warren House inn as he descended the path I would shortly take over a dozen newly constructed sharp stone edged drainage channels to Bennett's cross.

Descending from Bennett's cross along the bridleway through the old mine workings is one of the finest bits of single track around and I was pleased to get over the cutting where erosion by floodwater has both deepened and widened the stream crossing, mainly thanks to the torque available to assist and no footing was involved.

 I do not know who Johny Rose was but a plaque bears his name on a ruined wall at Birch tor and Vitifer tin mine where I took lunch. When I saw a group of nine ramblers pass the plaque and pause to listen to their leader I asked as he came by me about the plaque but he knew no more than I. We laughed heartly after both suggesting possible legends or mysteries which could explain it while adding intrigue and interest.

I enjoyed the stunning views surrounded by vibrant greens and purples with the delicate music of running water punctuated by equine snorts of delight as hooves stabbed at the water splashing both the thelwell style tubby pony and its diminutive toddler rider and amused but by now very wet stable hand leading the dripping beast. Bikini clad campers paddling in the stream by the clapper bridge grinned as passing spaniels on leads paused for fuss as I passed. 

I love the long descent from Headland Warren between the heather down to Headland Warren farm where a new parallel track has become established beside the deep eroded uncomfortable rock strewn gulley and should you make the wrong line choice you will know it.

Nearing the junction of the bridleway with the tarmac road I expected to cross I was baulked by a family having a picnic in the sunken lane complete with checkered table cloth table and four chairs with a full spread being enjoyed al fresco and I detoured slightly using the track beside the boundary wall which is wider and easier to find than the bridleway I had intended to use.

Pausing for a panoramic video shot atop Hookney tor I headed downhill passing a rambler with a mono wheel trailer behind her attached to her rucksack and doubling her load capacity while managing quite well on the uneven stone slabs and boulders laid as a metalled way to avoid erosion on the busy path above the huge historic settlement. I descended to Grimspound below using the uneven stone path but forking left on a whim to the track NE of the huge ancient compound previously unused by and unknown to me and I  admired the 3,500 years of history as I enjoyed a snack and savoured the view from a stone age hut complete with porch. 

A wide green track punctuated by black peaty strips between flowery heather is easy to follow and soon speed picks up after cresting the hill and the wide undulating green sheep mown carpet of springy turf has plenty of opportunities for airborne frivolity should one have excess energy to burn and a sense of fun. Note the passing bee, lots of those..

Brakes are optional at this stage but after passing the RAF memorial stone steeper gradients call for restraint and I have yet to roll all the way down as gravity has me speeding beyond my comfort zone. I once paused to point the way in front ahead and below down the hill and was asked 'Is it dangerous?' and replied in the affirmative to approval by a rider who seconds later crashed big time at speed and had a near death experience while I shook my head saying 'Oh dear..' in what I could only hope was a reassuring way to the bloody mess in front of me while performing unreassuring mental arithmetic about how long it might take to empty a human body of blood at the rate I was seeing in front of me after a spinning bike pedal caught up with its riders temple after unscheduled dismount cutting him neatly but deeply and close to some impressively high pressure veins. Fortunately for him I had a clean handkerchief and bleeding was staunched and ended by two minutes holding the wad of cloth onto the wound as hard as he could bear. We did however go out and buy helmets the very next day... 

I still kept enough speed to crest the last rise below and hear the tyres leave the ground and rolled silently motor idle above 15.5 mph with a steady 17.5 mph thanks to gravity and only touched the brakes to avoid splashing anyone at the ford but was able to jump the water unimpeded to reach the gate. A cheerful silver haired woman wearing a bra as a bikini top rushed over from the barbecue picnic encampment of wind breaks, gazebo tent and assorted furniture to hold open and close the gate for me while two kids who had obviously been paddling by their attire paused their play to watch. 

Two ebikers passed at the wide section beside the field which used to have the giants chair and warned of the overgrowth laying in wait for me ahead which was kind of them, but my fore arms still looked like I had fought a fight with a cat with several red streaks by the time I reached the car. Enchantingly beautiful but treacherous dappled golden afternoon sunlight filtered through the woodland glade above and beside the loose rock strewn root infested  bridleway semi illuminating the deep hollow way as I rolled silently but smoothly showing my suspension works. I timed my passing through the gate at Jay's grave perfectly and a mountain bike rider who had already opened the gate volunteered to also close it and I rolled smoothly through.

Shade seeking black and white cows were standing close by my car and one kept head butting it as she shook her head to move flies swarming her head meaning I had to move her to put the mirror straight before I could drive home.

Only cycled ten miles with four road crossings interrupting the off tarmac experience for the briefest intervals. An hour and ten minutes actual riding between frequent pauses for water in the heat and photos, snacks and taking in the view. Average speed was 9 mph and max a cautious 25.5 mph.

A lovely day. Grin factor huge. 

So when is the first E-Bike meeting to held at the Dolphin then fella's 

I'm sure the landlord wouldn't mind accommodating a few e-bikes upstairs on display plus some light hearted banter from E- bike tails/tales on the trails 

Comparison of many different models on display with the owners pitching whats the best feature/s of their bikes 

would be an interesting meet, one that might get me out of my rocking chair to attend 

Loving the reports and in-depth discussion/s about E-Bikes, keep em coming lads 

Good report Pete, I was with you in spirit......... 

As a matter of interest, I think the guests we had that day will be getting emtbs after trying mine !!

Bought one of Lidl's seat covers for the Opti yesterday. Seems to ft OK but not ridden with it on yet. Worth taking a punt at £4. Didn't realise there were two sorts so look carefully to get the right one for you....

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/MiddleofLidl.htm?articleId=24778

 Not again !! I've other arrangements on Saturday that I can't get out of and I'm riding tomorrow, in the same area as it happens......  Look out for my tyre tracks 

One day the planets will align and i'll get out with you again Pete !! Enjoy the ride 

Another fun day out riding started wet with a cold showery squall coming over as I put the bike rack onto the car. The windscreen wipers were needed for more than half the journey to our start point but it brightened up nicely and we ate ice creams in the sun by a babbling brook later.

We went no more than two miles from Burrator reservoir and it involved several seriously good bits of downhill.

The disused railway cycle track took us from Burrator quarry car park and across the new road bridge. Turning uphill above Peek farm we enjoyed not having to push up the steep slope thanks to electric pedal assistance. It used to take me 30 mins to push my Reign up to the top of Peek hill but the Trance E+ makes short work of it. We were slightly delayed when Mark's chain derailed and he was unfortunate enough to break his dropper post lever mount. Nothing a few cable ties could not fix though and we were soon good to carry on.

The view from Peek hill is spectacular with 360 degree panoramic vistas. Looking south the Tamar bridge and Plymouth breakwater were easy to pick out beyond the reservoir while in the opposite direction Brent tor ten miles north and Kitt hill twelve miles west were clear to see.

We took the path downhill from the cairn toward Lowery tor turning right and downhill again to Peekhill plantation over the grassy humps and clattered down the washed out path to cross the Devonport leat on the wide stone clapper bridge and passing Lower Lowery barn on our 3 minute descent losing 160 meters of altitude rather quickly. Great fun.

From cross gate we took 202-038 as far as Leathertor farm where my CRM has to turn around but we carried on down to Leathertor bridge turning right down the undulating bridleway jumping off the protruding rocks on our way to join 202-039. At the end of the road we met two mtb riders from Falmouth and passed an exhausted Specialized pilot at the end of the plantation as well as avoiding head on's with a further three riders all lacking head gear. 

We passed the recently restored Crazywell cross on our way to the reputedly bottomless pool of the same name.

A short distance over the horizon lies the start of Raddick lane whose gate is never closed these days. Some idiot on a motorcycle had dug a furrow with his back wheel on the open moor beyond the open gateway. Dodging the many loose rocks we flew down Raddick turning right downhill 202-382 on the cobbles to Leathertor bridge again but turning right up 202-383 to climb out of the plantation to cross the river Meavy on the dodgiest bridge ever, made of three sheets of corrugated iron. 

The wide grassy climb up to the Devonport leat was soon behind us and we saw fish dart away from our shadows as we followed the crystal clear waters past the top of 202-384 the ucr/footpath from Leathertor farm. We crossed 202-038 onto the steep rooty footpath which snakes down to Norsworthy bridge where the lure of the ice cream van gave us pause and a 99 flake later we started along 202-040. After passing the ruin we also passed the wooden sign warning motorised users not to continue any further. After jumping/splashing across the over full drainage channel we both bottled the opportunity to ride across the ancient clapper bridge over the stream.

Recent repairs have rendered the steep slope beyond ride-able once again and we climbed to the edge of Yellowmead down. I selected full boost and dropped the seat post and managed to get the Trance to lug itself plus me up and out of the sunken rocky lane after the ford which was a first and we picked up speed descending the track down to meet the bridleway north of Sheepstor. Mark made it look easier than I but the technical rocky track was soon behind us. I was pleased to ride through the boulder field and rock garden after the gate without footing for the first time ever, but declined to use the series of ever larger steps to jump off and anyway there was a car parked on the last landing area.

We paused on a bench above the earth dam which we had seen below us earlier from Peek hill. This pic shows the track we used to descend from the hill in the distance.

After crossing both the earth dam and then the stone dam we stopped to admire the waterfall at the start of the cycleway.

We covered 14 miles in total with a max of 25.5 mph with an average of 8 mph and I still had 40 % charge left in the battery on getting back to the car. 

After a good ride we enjoyed a welcome pint of bitter at the Warren house inn on the way home. Top day out. Looking forward to the next ride already.

potus wrote:

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Used the tin bridge many times whilst out on the mtb, nice write up Pete.

Recommend that next time your down this way, a lunch stop at the Royal Oak in Meavy. A chance to sup good beer, sample great food and see a 1000yr old oak tree which is apparently nearing the end of it's 'life', I guess it may not be too long before the H&S bods decide it has to come down...

-- Edited by potus on Wednesday 4th of September 2019 06:32:09 PM

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 One third of the tin bridge got washed away last winter and it was tricky crossing for a while till some kind person retrieved it.

The Royal Oak at Meavy is indeed worth a visit and I have started rides there in order to end the day with a beer. I thoroughly enjoyed the blue cheese burger and the Meavy Oak ale of theirs is lovely. Best enjoyed sat in the shade of the oak tree on the green beside the pub

                            So peaceful ans saw no one

Seen many a motor bike drown in here

Nice one Ray, another one joining the club !!

I believe it is wise not to submerge the electric motors on these bikes or it will be expensive !! Splashproof only.....

Cracking ride, cracking weather and a good craic !!  Thanks Pete for organising.

Nice report Pete, that route is a cracking one I've done a few times . Another little gem for grub is the Fox Tor cafe in Princetown, well worth a visit and they don't mind muddy smelly dogs or bikers.