So this weekend saw the Devon TRF Teign to Tamar event (T2T). Two days of riding showing fellow trail rides from all over the country around our glorious countryside, and in the glorious weather for a change.. given all the rain weve had since, well, what feels like FOREVER!!!!
The day commences at Parkers Farm campsite located near Ashburton where the visitors stay for the weekend. Departure was a prompt 9am with an 8am meet for coffee and brekkie baps provided by the club for the run leaders and TECs (Tail End Charlies). This meant a pretty early start for me up at 06:45, leave home at 07:15, collect Russ and Damian in Ivybridge at 07:30 then commute via the backroads to Ashburton for 8am South Brent, Harbourneford, Dean, Buckfastleigh then Ashburton. I always remember this commute being a bit of a slog, especially on day two and especially if the weather was less than best but with the sun shining this weekend the commute was actually rather pleasant.
Our group for this years event were from Hertfordshire and consisted of; Mark Husky FE501 (Black and Day-Glo Yellow), Brothers Dave - KTM 300 2t and Kev - Husky 250 2t, another Dave KTM 300 2t (who, if you shut your eyes, sounded EXACTLY like Henry Cole off The Bike Show on TV), and finally Terry (a spritely 71 years young!) also riding a KTM 300 2t.
The route for Day 1 was our Whiddon Down run which takes us as far north as North Tawton hopefully for some chips at the chippy if we make it there on time then back via Dewsteignton, Dunsford, Cristow and Bovey Tracey.
To link us to our route we headed SE and hit 202-046 Wickeridge. Despite having informed the group of the second man drop-off riding sequence that they all said they knew there was some re-establishing of the rules at the end of the first lane as the second man had forgotten to stop. Onwards through Knowle and continuing to head south we hit the A384 Buckfastleigh to Dartington road turning into 202-087which was a sloppy affair as always. I actually saw AN-other trail rider on Facebook posted that hed been trough her on his KTM 690 today and got stuck in the mud which took him nearly and hours to extract his bike, DOH!! Through the farm a gate which was kindly held open for us by a smiling young lady then onto Caddaford lane where we saw our first little mishap. Terry got his 300 slightly crossed-up on the bedrock base of the lane probably just as it was hitting the power-band and it spat him off breaking his cluth lever. Fortunately one of his friends had a replacement lever and it was replaced in no time and we were on our way again (Im not sure what the RRP of such an item is but in times like that the price is most definitely a LOT more expy!! ha ha) At this point another of the T2T groups passed us. Heading down Suicide Ally (202-063 a steep descent) into Buckfastleigh we then headed to a great lane, 202-305 near Hembury Castle woods. This is a cracker of lane with a mix of surfaces from hard-pack, to slippery mud then a little water splash and some large-ish rocks at the end. At this point the sun was well and truly up and it was a lovely warm day. A loop around the lanes at Holne (202-041 & 202-402) then northbound to Lower Town and a short stop at 191-096 for a choccy bar and to strip off some layers. Mark (Husky 501) needed to adjust his chain slightly but asked for some help as too many sherbets the evening before meant he was feeling a tad green and leaning over to attend to his rear wheel likely would have resulted in something rather unpleasant so I assisted his need. Onwards to East Shallowford and 191-085 and 191-086 where we encountered some Dartmoor ponies in the road, three of which decided to flee up the lane we were riding. Carefully progressing up the lane but ever conscious we were pushing them towards the closed gate onto the open moor Im sure Russ who was leading was wondering what would happen. At the closed gate the ponies has a moment of panic before bolting back past us all back down the lane. This is a great lane that has a some tricky boulders to negotiate in the small wooded area at the northern exit into the farm. The lady farm owner had just pulled up in her car as we closed the gate behind us and she gave a smile and wave. At the top of her driveway and heading back out onto the road we met a horse rider stood with her horse. She let us all pass and as I closed the gate I had a pleasant exchange with her then we both went on our way. The long lane up over Widdicombe in the Moor was next and an opportunity to do a spot of filming but the slippery rocks proved no challenge today as it was nice a dry. Descending the other side we passed a couple of mountain bikers. 191-083 at Bonehill rock was next. We entered from the northern end and met a husband and wife walking near the gate. They didnt seem too pleased to see us and I tried to break the ice with a friendly comment. The husband made a somewhat friendly exchange but there was a distinct undertone that he was not impressed with our being there so we quickly passed through the gate and headed on our way. At bone hill rocks the car park was full as were all of the car parks along this stretch and heading to Haytor Rocks and when we got to Haytor Rock the people were out in their droves, the tor in the short distance looking like it was covered in ants given the amount of people clambering all over it! Here we veered off our route and headed via Tipply Hill Lane (191-090) into Bovey Tracy for a petrol stop and a quick snack.
Heading NW out of Bovey to re-join our route Houndtor Woods was next (191-075) As usual on this lane there were a number of walkers and what looked to be an abandoned Land Rover Disco in a less than great state of repair. Guess theyd been green laning that and it had broken down. Exiting this lane at the western end into Manaton there were some people walking in the road. They stayed close into the hedge as we were passing. I slowed to tell then that there were several other riders behind me which the very posh gentleman was awfully thankful for having been told and he cheerfully wished me a good day. If only all walkers were like that .. which they are not as well come to later.
At Clapper Bridge Russ turned off the road to ride the water splash but there was a tree down preventing the usual fun, Boooo. Next up was North Bovey Ford (191-069) so I took the lead into the lane to get into filming position on the opposite riverbank. As I approached the river crossing there were two horses ahead but they just went out of sight as I arrived, perfect. No misdemeanours at the river crossing, thankfully. 191-068 at Langdon overlooking Bovey Castle was next, a great lane this is lined with gorse hedges and stone walls towards the southern end. Contiuning north we headed towards Gidleigh then the lovely lane at Throwleigh (191-053) which is a muddy lane but still inspires confidence to press on keep your feet up. Continuing north we did Beaconpark Lane (191-049) off the main road which starts as muddy ruts but then heads downhill under the enclosed tree canopy. Terry had another very slow tumble here as the bike got a bit cross-rutted in the mud. Had he have had longer legs he would have saved it.
Running parallel now with the A30 we headed into South Tawton and 191-045 which is part of the Tarka Trail. The lane at Bude (191-044) is now easily passable compared to years in the pat where a narky man and wife who lived in the house would always try and stop you passing and their dog fortunately on a long chain would try to eat you! The next lane at Rat Combe/ Langabeer (191-039) I remember from riding years ago with a legend TRF member Pete Bull. Back then this lane was a real challenge with a gully almost the entire length of the lane, which is long!, but it was graded many years ago and now presents little challenge unfortunately. At this point we were tantalisingly close to our chippy lunch at North Tawton. A quick check of the clock and a look at the route we made a decision to skip the Tarka Trail lane (191-020) in favour of ensuring we made it to the chippy before it closed at 14:00.
After lunch which was fab! we headed east then south to the mooshy muddy water crossing in 191-032 at Coxmoor. This didnt disappoint with lots of mud being roosted skyward as you exited the river and made the short climb back up onto the field. Next is a fave of mine, 191-035 at Cullaford as the river Yeo tracks alongside the lane and it often breeches into the lane but today it was pretty dry, but still a good lane.
Continuing to head south now we made a quick stop at Whiddon Down services for fuel and I had a sneaky Magnum .. this ones for you Nick Kelland . Onwards from here to Fingle Bridge which is always a cracking climb up from the pub and the river and this is where we met another narky walker who was stood in the middle of the lane waving his arms in frustration. I think the three guys ahead of me has riled him up to the point it was literally stood in the middle of the lane. I had nowhere to go but to stop dead in front of him, my front wheel nearly wedging between his legs. He had a face like thunder which I tried to defuse by somewhat jokingly asking him whether he thought it was a good idea standing in the middle of a road? He didnt see the funny side but proceeded to remove himself from my path allowing me and those behind me to continue whilst he continued to produce steam from his ears.
Heading east we then dropped into Dunsford and the steep climb off the main road through Bridford Woods (191-059). Heading south now and into Cristow and the infamous Bennah Hill. We stopped at the bottom of the road into the land as Russ was querying why the route had a little out-and-return section. I replied, we must have ridden up there, gone wrong, and then come back. Yeah, I guess so he said, then rode off in the wrong direction. DUH. I waited and 2 seconds later he reappeared chuckling to himself as to what hed just done. We got to the bottom of this short and very steep lane that was, as it always is, awkwardly blocked by a car as the local resident doesnt want anyone riding the lane. Fortunately we were able to squeeze through and duck our way under the fallen tree, past the ancient well and up the steep and loose soiled lane. Passing Ottiford reservoir on our right we descended 191-072 to Poolmill Cross then onto 191-076 at Wreyland that has recently had a fallen tree cleared meaning our passage didnt involve more tree ducking, thankfully as some of the visitors werent overly keen on this on the lane at Bennah.
Passing back through Bovey Tracy we headed to 191-097 at Staplehill behind Trago Mills. A short stop here for a last snack before the short sprint back to the campsite via Holbeam Lane (202-007) and another video opportunity at the river crossing. 202-027 and finally the steep and tricky climb of 202-026 brought us back to the campsite.
A fantastic day resulting in 170 odd miles for me door to door. Time to do it all again tomorrow. Report coming soon
