Devon TRF Group Forum

Had a day off for my birthday so decided to hit the lanes. The sun has been shining. I was riding solo on the 250 rally so couldnt go too wild! Decided to explore some of the lanes in the Otter Valley that I havent visited yet. I also bought some Tech 7s which Ive been breaking in on my commute, and I got some Knox Action Pro legging/trousers which I thought Id give a crack at.

Started off with 192158/5298. Tarmac all the way. I bet this was a hoot when it wasnt. I guess the intention is that people from Woodbury can cycle down to the river path. Across to 192159/5299 which was just an agricultural track. 192172/5310 had a great little loose climb but otherwise was plain sailing.

A bit of road work to get to 192173/5311. Trying to find the northern end wasnt easy. Nice scenery and an interesting ride. 192174/5312 opened up into a beautiful Holloway lane after an overgrown section. 192175 is a hoot a real variety of scenery and surfaces such a shame that 192225 is shut. Back the other way and through 192247/5378, before some road work through Budleigh.

The southern half of 192189/5327 was overgrown, and as it turned I found myself going down a loose steep hill would like to come back and go the other way another day. 192246/5377 was a grass lane. I stuck my nose down 192187 but the low foliage and length meant I didnt go very far. Back to 192186/5324 which was a grassy lane with a rut and very overgrown, as was 192185/5323. 192179/5317 was interesting someone had built a berm between two fields on the roll down to East Budleigh which required some assessment before committing. I had to ride back up the hill a bit to get a run up and get up on the pegs and settled. 192176/5314, 192177/5315, and 192178/5316 were all agricultural lanes.

I missed the western entrance to 192163/5301 but completed the circle by use the roads and coming up it a nice little lane! 192181/5319 was a great climb dont let off that throttle! 192182/5320 was an agri track, and then 192183/5321 was a nice little downhill loose track. 192184/5322 saw me struggle a bit as I met the steep section with the staircase to one side and the rut in the centre I nearly lost it, and due to the heigh of the foliage, I struggled to stay up on the pegs causing my balance to falter in a few places. I rode out of Ladram using 192327/5418 and had no issues.

192169/5307 was a fast agri track, leading to 192170/5308 with its great view over Sidmouth. A spot of lunch and then back down through the Otterton lanes. 192245/5376 was a good ride I enjoyed the roll in, 192167/5305 was just a picturesque lane. 192166/5304 wasnt much to write home about unless you like hogweed and fern. I stuck my nose into 192168/5306. I decided to walk the river and check the exit, having figured out I could probably get into it. The gulley and the step out to the north looked  a bit extreme for me on my own so I gave it a miss, but I would like to come back with someone else and have a crack. 192165/5303 was more fern and hogweed.

After a pit stop for fuel I completed the Bulverton circular (192242/5373, 192241/5372, 192126/5270, 192127/5271, 192244/5375, 192243/5374, 192125/5269) which was mostly enjoyable, and definitely worth the view on the west side. I then went through Harpford and tackled 192109/5254, 192241/5352. Nice lanes, but the hardest bit was cross the main road that runs through them. The drainage solution looks very comprehensive. The same could be said for 192110/5255. With the road closed signs and wire fence across 192237/5368 (no sign of work happening), I headed to 192103/5249 which Ive done before and enjoy.

I scooted through Tipton and hit the eastern leg of 192108/5253, dropped down through 192107/5252, then had a crack at 192240/5371 which was boggy and overgrown as normal. I had a stab at 192114 after fighting through the hogweed I saw the bog and decided it was a no for me on my own. (Side note, Ive walked this lane a bit in the past and Ive never seen it this overgrown or flooded). I turned back, used 192115/5260 to get out, then headed back.

A couple of weeks ago I stuck my nose in 192376/17211 as I remember the lane being shut when I was a teenager and my parents lived in West Hill. I saw the road closed and though nothing of it, but after talking to Sean at the last TRF meeting, I went back and had a ride. Its alright just broken tarmac really but still, nice to see nature doing its thing.

And that was that! Back to Morrisons in Exeter to use the jet wash, give the chain a wipe and spray, and leave my kit outside to air.

Tech 7s great like wearing trainers. Still trying to get used to rear brake feel but otherwise no complaints. I have to say the right foot has taken longer to be comfortable than the left.

The Knox Action Pro legging things pretty hot still, but you dont know youre wearing them. I just chucked some old work trousers over the top. Would recommend so far.

All in all, a great day. Summer means fighting through hogweed, ferns, brambles and nettles but other than that all dandy. Just need to go back and give that 192168 a go with someone.