Another great day out on the trails today. Weather was dry (in the main) and even sunny at times and the temp wasn't too cold either ..... but still lots of water about which made for a mucky outing indeed.
The chosen route was our Tavistock run which runs up the west side of the moor, reaching Sourton Down as its most northerly location. This route usually crosses Lopwell dam nearing the end of the run but tide times meant we ran the route in reverse which made a nice change .... although some of the usual ascents becoming descents in the slippery, slimey conditions made things interesting.
Russ and Nick arrived at my house on que at 9am welcomed with a bacon butty and a brew. Baps done and it was time for the off. Me being the local I led us towards Lopwell dam via Plymbridge Woods which was hosting the weekly Park Run so a slightly earlier dismount to push the bikes over the bridge was necessary so as not to run over (or annoy) the runners/ organisers. No probs although Russ was puffing a bit more than usual given his CRF300 weighs a tad more than an enduro bike.
The first lane had a massive and deep puddle (I knew it would) which didn't amuse Nick. He doesn't like water at the best of times let alone THE very first lane of the day. We were then met by a fallen tree but managed to squeeze by ..... with a little muscle to make a bit of extra space. Onwards to Lopwell where we were met with the temporary TRO sign. There was a landslide on the opposite side of the dam on the trail that leads up and out of the woods. We knew about this but hoped it may have been fixed but alas not. The notice dated Jan 2026 said 6mths for the TRO!! Looking at the photo on the sign they could have put a four-wheel TRO on it and allowed motorcycles to continue as there was plenty of track left to get a motorbike through. Oh well. We detoured around Denham Bridge. We soon found ourselves at Gulworthy and the duo of lanes that bisect the nice sweeping S-bends of the main A390 road. The top section of the lane wasn't an issue aside some barrier tape we had to duck under but this was clearly left over from a huge fallen tree which was obviously blocking the lane but had since been cleared. It's the drop into the second part of the lane which is always interesting as it degrades further each time I visit. Looking across the road from the top part of the lane you cannot see anything so I discounted and walked across the road to assess the drop, which had definitely got bigger! (Last time I was here was on the T7 riding UP this part with some Welsh friends who were riding the GWT. I don't even think that would be possible now) The only real way down was to tuck right in against the bank. The concrete drain pipe is now full exposed and creates a second step down after the initial drop off the tarmac road. An interesting one indeed but we all made it down safely. Onwards towards Chipshop - great name! - Sydenham Damerel then a coffee stop at Collacombe Down. At Longcross I skipped ahead again to get some footage as I knew this lane is also subject to increasing erosion making the gulleys deeper each time and they didn't disappoint offering a nice little challenge. The lane at White Tor is a fave of mine allowing for another opportunity to grab some footage of the guys descending the rocky track. Russ said he'd been attacked by a buzzard previously in this lane and said other trail riders had also experienced the same. A protective parent we probably summised. Not today though, the skies were clear ...... well, clear and cloudy and at which point a glorious rainbow was visible in the sky. We had full view end to end. Awesome !! Marystow and Angels Steps was tackled downhill today and it was a slippery affair but no accidents. Passing Jethro's at Lewdown there was one more lane at Blatchard before we grabbed fuel at Sourton Downs before heading back towards Lydford for the most anticipated part of the day (for me anyway), a Lydford Farm Shop pasty. I've seen these pop up on my Facebook feed way back in Sept last year and said to myself I NEED to try one as they always get top marks from the reviewers .... and who doesn't like a decent pasty? Well, it was obviously meant to be as we three got the final three they had in the hot counter and OMG was it worth the wait ........ ABSO...BLOODY....LUTELY it was. Hands down THE best pasty I have ever tasted. dee-lish. Mmmm !!
A light and bright shower fell whilst we sat and ate our food at the farm shop then it was time to get going again, heading south now, through the old railway lanes around Lydford then on to Lydford Gorge and the Devils Cauldron - tiz a looooong way down looking into it from the top of the road bridge ? Onwards towards Brent Tor, looping around it then past the gliding club before tracking back across the A386 to Mary Tavy and the infamous lane at Horndon. Riding north to South the rocky decent caught Russ out as he'd forgotten to turn off his ABS after the lunchtime stop where he'd turned the ignition OFF which had reset the ABS (no such issues on an enduro bike I might add ?) Time was getting on at this point, about 15:30, and the sum was low in the sky and somewhat blinding as we rode into it ?. We skirted around Tavistock with Grenofen earmarked as probably our last lane of the day. I took the lead into the lane at Grenofen in order to get some final footage for the day. I stopped mid way after the first switchback on the rock slab section but despite being the end of a long day (90 odd miles at this point) the guys were still on their A-game and scaled the lane without issue. Well done chaps, great effort ?. A short chat at the top before a wee road burn through Yelverton towards Cadover Bridge where we said our goodbyes and Russ and Nick headed towards Lee Moor and I headed towards Cann Woods/ Elfordleigh/ Plympton.
106 miles for me door to door and just home before dark. Awesome. Great day. Now just an absolutely filthy bike to clean (and dirty cars, and dirty wellies from football, and dirty football boots and Crocs from football. I should really live on a farm given the amount stuff covered in mud atm!! And that was before the wife said, "you don't wanna see the footwells of my car" !!!)
-- Edited by Kwaka Geoff on Monday 19th of January 2026 11:09:22 AM
-- Edited by Kwaka Geoff on Monday 19th of January 2026 11:10:16 AM
-- Edited by Kwaka Geoff on Monday 19th of January 2026 11:11:19 AM
