Another breezy start and commute from Plymouth to Parkers Farm at Ashburton but indeed worth it, not only for the awesome 'Belt Buster' breakfast bap but also the day that lay ahead. Are you sitting comfortably, cos here comes the report.
The route today was 'South Hams with Beaches' which aside being a familiar route to us anyways it was in the forefront of mine and Russ's minds as we'd done this route not nearly a month ago with our friends from Essex. It was the choice today to show our visitors some of Devon's coastline having shown them the Moors yesterday.
From our start point we headed towards Totnes to get us onto our usual route. This short commute took in lanes at Knowle, Broadhempston, Littlehempston and finally through the gypsy camp and along the John Musgrave Heritage Trail into Totnes. From here we headed out of Totnes along Copland Lane then up Jackmans Lane and onto the somewhat dried-out big puddle in Dorsley Barton lane. Onwards through Besford lane - which despite having been graded last summer has washed out again nicely (council money well spent there then ..... NOT!) then onwards to the weird and wonderful lane at Lincombe - whatever are those old buildings down in that place. I'd love to know the history.
Through Diptford and on to Broadley and the climb up towards Wheeldon, where there was some kids event on as there were lots of vans and bling looking diddi MX bikes ..... most likely electric as we all discussed at the end of the lane.
Through Newhouse lane then Morleigh Mounts and on to Borson Farm and the rocky decent. A quick breather at the bottom but John on the 250 Freeride decided to have a go up Boreston as he's a trials guy. He loved it.
The lanes behind Totnes Cross then onwards to Grimstoneleigh, Woodleigh, Sorley before dropping into the outskirts of Kingsbridge to pick up Darky Lane where we met a lad and his dog near the end of the lane where his car was parked almost blocking the lane. Not the smartest idea of a place to park but given how the guy stank of weed I'm guessing practical descions probably escaped him!! Ha ha
Onwards to Preston then the lanes around South Milton before sharing the picture perfect beach of South Milton Sands with our guests...... and they loved it! After a short break with a coffee and an overpriced ice-cream from the beach hut we headed through South Huish and East through West Alvington. A quick splah and dash at Kingsbridge fuel station before tracking Sandy lane where we met a large group of quad bikers coming up the tricky downhill. As I passed each quad there was a really weird mix of risers and pillions. Some were scruffy clothed, some were wearing what seemed to be much posher attire such as jeans and ine even with white smart jumper and a matching white snood with mirrored sunnies. Hardly suitable clothing for quad biking!! Some had helmets, others did not. There were very young kids as pillions, there wear even what looked like kids piloting the quads! A very eclectic mix of people I must say. Quite strange I thought. Anywhoo, onwards to Frogmore along the wide open lane - easy going in this weather with no caution re. speed based on slippery rutts - then to Chillington before turning off the main road to take in the lanes heading to North Pool and South pool - obligatory ride through the ford - then into the crossing at the creek - this time not trying to kill Russ with an out-of-control wheelie! (Imwas actually thr camera man in this occasion and I stood well back incase Russ decided on revenge! Ha ha)
We continued East until we hit Torcross where we took a quick stop at the tank and had a discussion about it's coming to be there.
The boulder rocky climb at Mattiscombe is always a challenge with the bike bouncing here, there and everywhere then back through Chillington and heading a fave lane of ours at Start. This lane has it all and the water splash at the bottom presented another good photo/ video opportunity.
The descent to the bottom of the valley and up out into Alston was fairly easy today with the rock providing some grip for a change and the mud pit at the bottom all but dry - a rare thing indeed!!
The tree-tunnel lane - which I hate! - at Whitestone Criss didn't fail to annoy me yet again, amd even more so now that there's a large tree down at the northern end meaning you have to duck EVEN lower than for the lane itself. It's just not suited to taller riders. Russ, please stop using this lane!! Ha ha
The weird and not-so-wonderful area of Hansel was next - strange place this - and at the end of this lane I said to Damian, "I'm hungry now!" but lunch wasn't until Dartmouth which couldn't come soon enough!!
Having finally reached Dartmouth and had a pit stop for food and a chat we headed towards the lower ferry anticipating that it may be very busy on such a glorious day amd we may habe to queue but we didn't! We stopped right at the front and were first on, hoorah! Russ kindly paid for us all using his toll card - what a guy - then it was uo the hill out of Kinswear and on to Mansands beach, the third beach of the day for our visitors.
Some good video footage of the bikes was captured on Hillhead lane then it was on to Mill Lane leading us into Glampton creek.
The usual trio of lanes around Stoke Gabriel then into Aish which has a house with a garden that is simply stunning - lovely manicured lawns, planted boarders, a feature pond with a cobblestone bridge. Delightful (must look it up on Rightmove sold houses and be nosey and see what the house is like inside. I always do my Lloyd Grossman 'Through the keyhole" speil in my head when I see places like this, "Now who would libe in a houuuuuuse like this?" Ha ha)
We were nearing the end of the ride as we took Fleet Mill lane back towards Totnes.
Leaving Totnes we headed to Dartington and then dropped down off the main road into Staverton then on to Caddaford lane near Riberford Farm foods.
We finally got to descend Suicde Alley after skipping it yesterday due to a striken rider in another group. No issues here for our group of intrepid riders! Heading back towards Ashburton we took in the frw lanes around the periphery of Ashburton - nothing too challenging bit as we're here, why not! - then it was back to Parker's Farm to wrap-up what had most definitely been a fabulous day's riding indeed. Fair to say our guests were suitably impressed with their two days amd theynwere very thankful for having been shown around such amazing scenery. It times like this amd comments like that that make you reflect on how lucky we are having all this on our doorstep.
A total of 155miles door to door for me today. Certainly gunna be feeling this weekend in the coming days ..... but wouldn't change it for anything!! Great riding amd great company as always.
Looks like your group certainly had their moneys worth.
Never seen the puddle on reservoir lane so shallow.
The ruined cottages at Larcombe were probably built to house the workers for the four now disused quarries nearby.
Seen some quad riders in the lanes way too young to have driving licenses, I bet their parents think it ok as they aren't on the 'road' are they.
The Glampton creek typo made me laugh.
