Went to north Devon finally after planning a ride that was meant to happen over Christmas holidays but I got ill and had been put off up until now.
We parked outside mole valley (North Devon tyres) south molton and had a a nice quick bap from the kenneford burger van.
Unloaded and got to the roads in the lovely amazing sunshine for a bit of milage before the first lane. Which was nice hill climb not to difficult. Then got to our third lane and started off with a decline thinking I wish I was going up hill here. Only to get to the bottom to find a stream with a massive of rubble boulders and big rocks. If you like a challenge and climbs you'll like this one.
Some cracking lanes lots of slab rock throughout the day. Some being green and slippery would be interesting to try go up those next time.
Burger van lunch stop in Barnstaple
And then to see the Ilfracombe lane across the cliff tops.
All in all was a brilliant day and will be going back to try south the lanes south of Barnstaple.
We had a couple mishaps offset forks, exhaust guard mounting breakage ( good old cable tie fix) and I was flying along side the left band rut in one lane the then have a sudden snap/smash sound, turned out to be a chicken mesh style fence handing down the bank onto the lane which caught my radiator shroud cutting right into it and snapping it in 2 places. Luck it wasn't my leg!!!
Thats a great lane! I recall riding down it and had to cross the stream across the rocks in the winter (the part that gets slightly wider about 3/4 way down). It was a gap between 2 rocks you had to make and a friend didnt so went headfirst into the flowing part which at the time was very cold and deep enough to half cover him. The old chap didnt say a word and just got up, brushed the excess off and rode on never saying or mentioning it again.
Some cracking lanes up around that way. Sounds like you had fun.
Pic 5 is at Newton Bridge I believe? Then over the small hump bridge at the bottom then up the steep, rocky, slippery lane is 180-063 Barton Lane I think? (I cribbed off my run report from back in April 2024) I remember them both well as they're both a decent challenge.
Yep that's the bugger! I think next time we need to do the route in other direction change it up a bit. Will have to try the lanes south west of Barnstaple aswell next time.
