Well, someone certainly ordered the right weather for a weekend of riding. The forecast was set for glorious sunshine and that's what we got today. Superb.
The day started early, 06:30 early!, to allow for a quick dog walk then out to the garage to don the gear and grab the bike then it was off to meet Russ and Damian in Ivybridge for 07:30.
I never really enjoy the lengthy commute to Parker's Farm as past memories are of feeling cold but this morning was different. There was a cool wind but the sun was up so with the thought of glorious sunshine all day this made the ride a lot more pleasant indeed.
A quick stop at Ashburton feul station to fill up and grab some snacks for the rucksack then we rode the final stretch to our event meeting point.
There field was busy with keen bikers chatting about their routes amd their groups and feasting on the delicious breakfast baps that had been arranged by the club. Absolutely spot on and certainly added to my positive vibes for the day ahead.
Our route was heading north towards Whiddon Down and over the moors with a planned mileage of 130 miles ...... a good full days riding to show our visitors.
After a welcome and quick briefing from the club officials we finally met our group. There was Stuart and John from Surrey and John and Mark from Exeter. We were a tad worried that our visitors from Exeter may have been somewhat unimpressed with what we had to show them assuming they may have already done many of the lanes around this area but that absolutely was not the case, thankfully.
We set off and headed south riding around Forder Green, Landscove and Baddaford before meeting with another group at the top of suicde alley near Buckfastleigh. The other group had come up Suicide but were waiting for another group member who was apparently struggling. We waited for a short while for then another of their group to appear saying the stricken rider had given up amd was trying to turn his bike around in the lane to descend. We couldn't be bothered to wait so took a detour via Pridhamsleigh to get to the superb lane just south of Hembury Castle. Onwards to Holne and by this point we could feel the warmth of the sun, lovely.
Up over the open field at Stoodley then on to a lovely lane and a fave spot for some lovely scenery for our visitors at Lower Town.
Heading NW through Ponsworthy and up onto Dartmoor and the lanes around East Shallowford then the rocky climb up over Widdicombe in the Moor.
The lane to Bonehill Rocks had countless piles of course stone dumped along it in readiness for some minor grading. Its and easy lane anyways so nothing detrimental from our perspective.....in fact the piles of stone added an interesting challenge from the norm ..... although some last minute indecision from me at one instance saw the front wheel lock up amd nearly tuck under me but I managed to save it just in time. Phew!!
Onwards past Haytor then a deviation off the planned route to take in Simms Hill and Tipley, both which were scaled with relative ease. It was actually the decent directly after the crest of Tipley, heading down into Bovey Tracy that saw our first badger of the day. Stu was having a little play popping the front wheel off the broken tarmac ledges but I think he gave it a bit too much gas at one point and the landing was faster than expected which caused the front to wash out and down ue went, quite hard. Eeek. All was okay and only a torn shirt amd a slightly bashed hand guard to evidence anything happened at all. Onwards to the garage at Bovey for fuel and a coffee.
Heading NW out of Bovey we hot Houdtor Wood which is always a great lane. Not too many walkers today which was good. Through Manaton amd on to the ford at North Bovey which was really low, although Rob oh his 250 Freeride decided to take the deeper line through the middle....... he's not local so we'll let him off. Along the great lane at Langdon overlooking Bovey Castle then continuing NW and past the emense amd amazing house amd grounds at Yoe Farm.
The lanes around Gidleigh, Forder amd Throwleugh Manor were next ..... good timing on this last lane long lane leading into Throwleigh as we met a horse and rider near the end of the lane, thankfully heading the same direction as us as it's a narrow lane with very few places to pass.
Turning left off the main drag into Beaconpark Lane near Liverton Stunhad another tumble, cross-rutting the front whuch grabbed in the hard narrow rutt amd threw him down. The landing was soft (softer then the concrete before!) so he was immediately back up and on the way again.
A few lanes around Sticklepaththen north over the A30 and onto the long lane at Langabeer.
A quick check of the time as we were wanting to catch the chippy in North Tawton for lunch so a decision was made to make a bee-line for lunch amd we'd pick up the route after lunch, not wanting to miss out the water crossing in the Tarka Trail lane.
Bartered sausage, chips and a curry sauce done and it was off again.
The rover was really low amd everyone crossed with ease, no incidents.
Some roadwork to get us to Bow where we started to head back south.
Another small river crossing in Coxmoor Lane and the river-run lane at Cullaford .... which had had some extent of infill deposited in it to reinstate a lot of the lane which the river had washed away. Hmmm, we'll see how long that lasts shall we.
Continuing south we crossed back over the A30 and stopped for fuel at Wgiddon Down service's where we saw another group of our club riders and lots .... amd lots and lots ..... of road bikers! Perfect day for it so who can blame them.
Fingle bridge was next. This is such a good lane and a great climb out of the valley. Really tests your arm strength.
East from hear passing through Woodbrooke, Dunsford then another good climb in Bridford Woods then the wide open and flat (and fast amd dusty!!) lane at Windhill Gate.
Continuing south through Bridford and Cristow then into Knowle Lane which is a technical rocky downhill. There were three mountain bikers immediately at the top of the lane - good timing - and Incan imagine this being a tricky one for them too! Across the A382 to Mortenhampstead and up the other side of the valley to Wreyland.
Getting closer to base now we passed back through Bovey Tracey then through Liverton and up the lane behind Trago Mills then along Hobeam Lane amd thisnis where the relatively clean bikes got somewhat caked in mud. But that didn't matter cos the lanes behind Debury prison followed shortly after and I think it was worse that the majority of the puddle had dried up cos it was just a bath of icky stucky mud and much throttle was needed to get through it which meant bikes and riders - to an extent - were also now caked in the mud. Great, just when we all thought we'd got away with relatively clean bikes ......U'uh, not today Josephine!!
A few more lanes at Wottin Cross amd that was it, we were back at Parkers Farm. Fair to say everyone had a great day. We said goodbye to our guest riders, wished them a nice evening and said, "see you again in the morning" when we'll do it all again, whoop whoop.
The commute home was nice in the warm evening sun. A quick jet wash at Ivybridge before Russ, Damian and I all saod our goodbyes for the evening.
A total of 170 miles door to door for me. Not feeling it just yet but likely will Sunday PM after another full day tomorrow.
Until tomorrow. Night night all.
-- Edited by Kwaka Geoff on Sunday 6th of April 2025 09:42:18 AM
-- Edited by Kwaka Geoff on Sunday 6th of April 2025 03:35:13 PM
