What better way to work off the turkey than a bit of hard enduro ....... but as that wasn't available to us we settled for a spot of gentle trail riding instead.
Just the three Amigos on this outing despite invites being offered to others who were otherwise engaged.
We met at Ivybridge petrol station at 08:45 with a plan to leave by 9am, but that was the only plan at that point. A route/ destination hadn't been decided but Russ dug out a local South Hams route dating back to 2015! That'll do so Garmin's loaded and off we went with me in the lead to give Russ an opportunity to follow for a change.
As we headed out of Ivybridge towards Bittaford I was on autopilot heading for Whoo Hoo as that's usually our first lane so missed the first turn - DOH. Still, somewhat of a blessing in disguise as the route was set to take us past the rugby club but that road is now closed for through access due to the new housing estate being built so we hung a right down Davids Lane and headed towards our first lane though the farm by the Lud Brook. From there it was the whitey lane just north of Ugborough - a lovely little tree tunnel lane. From here back into Bittaford then on to Whoo Hoo which I was on autopilot for 15mins earlier, ha ha. A nice little challenge to warm us up. At the top of the lane we stopped for what turned out to be a rather lengthy chat so conscious of the mileage to be covered we cut the conversation short and cracked on.
From here it was onwards towards South Brent where after crossing through the underpass under the A38 on Portford Lane the uphill tarmac backroad was really badly eroded along one edge from water erosion, so much so there were traffic cones to warn drivers as they'd definitely lose the side of their car down there! Back under the A38 and heading towards the scrap yard at South Brent and the duo of lanes that led us into South Brent, the first lane of which is becoming really rocky and washed out and the second which had some tricky off-camber slab rock which looked really greasy and slippery so the front brake was left well alone!
From here it was into the lane at Beara Common which had had a severe hedge trim on the right hand hedge (as we rode the lane - SW to NE) exposing a view which we've never seen before. Onwards and we encountered a tractor in the lane - fortunately heading the same direction as us - but we didn't have to wait long before hanging a right on the short adjoining lane to exit onto the road. Riding through Harbourneford and onwards to the lane at Tordean. As we approached Russ pulled alongside to tell me that there was possibly a tree blocking this lane. We entered with caution and didn't get far into the lane to find that the tree fairies had been and cleared the way. Nice! This one was slippery and slidey as usual.
Exiting this lane I was on autopilot again and turned right only to realise the route went left towards Gidley Bridge then the opposite way along the lane at Addislade which was a mooshy downhill rather than the usual powering-the-bike uphill. Then the duo of lanes at Dean Prior, again, in the opposite direction to usual which was interesting.
The graded lane leading north out of Upper Dean has also washed out a fair bit now so it's interesting for us again. Through Buckfastleigh and on to Suicide Alley which despite being tricky was scaled without any dabs.
Pridhamsleigh was next which always spooks me with its off-chamber start to this lane - I don't like riding the higher line on the left but riding the low line on the right I feel like I could easily end up in the bushes and the field below. Onwards to Parkfield then Forder Green where we met our first horse of the day. Engines off, a brief pleasant exchange, then we both went on our merry way. We skirted Broadhempston heading towards Parsonage Lane - a hard-packed fast downhill with good visibility - which dropped us to the bottom of Tally Ho. Ascending Tally Ho we met a dog walker near the top so again killed the engines to allow her past with another friendly exchange. Onwards to the quadruple cross-over lanes at Red Post where we stopped in the centre crossroads for a chat and a choccy bar cos my stomach was rumbling!! Exiting south on the steep and rocky decent into Littlehempston the lane onto the main road was slippery as always but has 4-wheeled vehicle tracks in it which I'd never seen before.
Entering the lane at Shadrack we were passed by another group of riders, about 6 or 8 from recollection. A friendly nod was exchanged. Onwards to the field leading to Berry Pomeroy where the house at the bottom seems to have new owners who seem to be having a right good clear up of the place. There was lots of newly laid Cotswold chippings which around the frontage which I kinda felt bad for riding across but it's a legal lane so ......
We entered Sand Lane to bring us into Totnes and passed the gypsy camp then descend down the John Musgrove Heritage Trail. As the track turned to road there was a teenage fella walking with his longbow and arrows in hand. He seemed friendly enough stepping aside to let us past ....... but I did wonder whether I was gunna get an arrow in the back. I mean, where was he going with that?????
At Totnes we'd planned to stop at the nice cafe rather than the petrol station but the cafe was closed, so was the other, riverside cafe we then went to so we were forced to forecourt food ..... again!!!!
After lunch we headed west out of Totnes through the lanes at Copland Meadows where there was a MA-HOOSIVE rootball exploded to us in the left hand bank. Not that we could see it but there must have been a massive tree down in the field that runs alongside the lane. Exiting this lane then back over the railway tracks and across the main road into the next lane where we turned right and headed towards Blakemore farm. The short lane off the main road to Avonwick was on this route but we'd decided not to do it which was made all the more the right descion given that 10m past the entrance to that lane there was a traffic police car parked on the road, traffic officer in high-vis present with lights blazing and a ''Police Slow' signs and cones out. After rising up the lane at Blakemore Farm - after a tricky entrance to the lane - we stopped to look down at the polie car, which was actually two!! Turns out it was nothing exciting, just traffic police making traffic slow down as the was a telecoms van on the road - obviously in a dangerous location on a fast road!
Next werr the big puddle on Dorsley Barton lane then Russ was interested to see the lane at Bedford since its been partially graded at the western end. Well,, that was money well wasted cos a lot of the aggregate has washed away already (and that was only reopened earlier this year!!!)
From here it was on to Harberton, the Steps, Glove-Tree lane and past Sir Gregs house and onwards to Rolster Bridge.
Entering Harbertonford we did the little lane past the allotments - this was very slippery! - then we cut back on the lane taking us back into the village where we encountered a stolen vehicle, a grey BMW 320d. The registration plates had been removed and conveniently the VIN No. behind the windscreen was covered by a pay-and-display parking ticket......very sneaky.......but we still got the VIN off the driver door jam. The car was unlocked and stank of weed so definitely stolen!
Exiting Harbourneford in a northerly direction on the A381 we next hit Jackmans Lane at Peak Cross with the massive puddle at the entrance. I took a wide berth to enter said puddle only to realise there was a 4x4 practically blocking my exit. Startled by our presence the two young lads - novice 4x4'ers wearing tracksuits and trainers! - attempted to move their vehicle but there was actually plenty of room to get past. We had a friendly exchange then wished the lads - who were self professed novices - a good rest of their day.
We then doubled back to ride the lane that exits by Bowden house only to come up behind this same 4x4. His progress up the hill was fine but when he got to the top there was a fallen tree which was preventing him passing ....... so he would have had to reverse all the way back down. Good luck fellas. Onwards we went as we could pass with easy given the branches that had been cleared.
From Ashprington where there are couple of lanes - one through a farmyard with the big, unavoidable puddles in the lane which are basically full of cows p1ss and stink! we then dropped into Bow and rode the river crossing by the pub where we had an audience of fellow trail riders. A brief exchange with these other bikers - who were from Dartmouth - then onwards over the top of the hill and through the puddles on the lane at Yetson.
From here we deviated off the route to follow our noses and head for home as it was getting late in the day.
Onwards to Newhouse lane, aka Lane of Pain to take a look at Russ's handy hedge-trimming work.
The lane at the back of Totnes Cross was next and there were several trees down in this lane, but all passable on two wheels.
Still following our noses for home we passed through The Mounts before hitting Grimstoneleigh lane - great, fast flowing lane this is with a lovely climb at the end - that brought us into Woodleigh. Down the hill to the garden centre before rising back up the road towards Rake before vereing right to drop as into the lane at Knap Mill. Here we stopped for a final choccy bar before scaling this technical lane - all washed out and with massive rocks to negotiate. Onwards to Averton Gifford then onto the main A road (A379) before peeling off into a lane shortly after Fishley. The first part of this lane is great, the second half is snotty as h3ll and a real challenge! We dropped back onto the A379 briefly before peeling off again just before Modbury to ride the lane that takes us to Runaway Lane, ending up in Modbury itself. Two lovely lanes here, the first downhill and a bit tricky places - soft mud verges and greasy slab rock - then Runaway lane which was easier but picturesque. Thankfully no dog walkers here today!
Final lane of the day was up out of Ermington affectionately known as Disco Breaker, I think - as it must have killed someone's Land Rover Discovery at some point in the past. The entrance off the main road is a tricky ascent on slab rock with an added gulley - do you go in the gulley or stay up on the sides????? - then the latter part of the lane is flatter amd more flowing.
From here we commuted the short distance back to Ivybridge where Damian peeled off for a jetwash at Tescos and Russ and I headed to Ivybridge for the same thing!
95 miles for me door to door. A great day, weather was kind and the company was great as always. Until next time.
