The plan for the day was to ride the whole of my A2E route but, it didn't quite work out...
The forecast was for sunny intervals and showers and that's exactly what we had but, fortunately, no heavy showers.
Just Trev and I today. Late start - had to do a few minor repairs so didn't get away until 11am and a 124 mile route in prospect.
It was with fear and trepidation that I rode into my "local" lane which has a fearsome "swamp" reputation. Nothing could have been further from the truth as the lane was flat from hedge to hedge with only the two sink holes ready to catch the unwary A dumped Fiat Punto was the biggest surprise. It had two holes in its roof making us think it may have been moved with a fork lift. Big bump on the front, untaxed and MOT expired 5 Jan 2016!
The next surprise was to meet a gaggle of riders on the Crealy Bike Wash - turned out they were being led by our very own Devon TRF Group Chairman Sean! They warned that the Brook was fairly deep and then lined the banks to watch our attempts - made me kinda nervous but we both survived without drowning
Strawberry Lane at Aylesbeare has been made slightly tricky with logs and branches laid in the ruts. Met a friendly group of walkers at the top and had a chat whilst waiting for Trev to get through the branches
Smooth progress on the next few lanes but then we came across one with a biggish puddle in the dip! Trev bravely waded through to check for bike swallowers....
I went through first so had the opportunity to video Trev's crossing - bit of a twitch towards the end!
Tombstone Lane passed without incident although the narrow trenches will be pretty cruel to the footpegs of "wider" trail bikes
It was all going really well up until the top of a lane near Honiton. Trev lost it on a root by the "bath" area created by the 4x4s and the TTR went over twisting his leg. The TTR had been on its side for a long while by the time I realised there was a problem and came to the rescue and it wouldn't start. It was tricky moving the TTR through to safe level ground as it was very slippery at that point.
An early pit stop with a hot sweet cuppa for Trev was called for and the Honiton bypass burger bar fitted the bill nicely thank you. Trev bravely set off but was already beginning to suffer from his badger.
We decided to play safe and cut the route and short cut home.
We reached the end of the lane at Baker's Gate (Northleigh) and that was our last lane of the day. Very cold riding home on the tarmac, Surprising how well riding lanes keeps you warm!
44 miles not counting the tarmac ride home and 37 lanes ridden.
So there is a loop of lanes further north-east around Stockland and Membury we haven't checked out. Not sure that I will be able to ride them before next Saturday
Ah, there it is. I couldn't see it in the photos. That's also a photo from the past, me on my DR350, Martin on (or not!) his xr400. I even know who the other rider is, just off the picture. Identified by his cheap builders gloves, it's Steve West, also xr400. He always ended the day with yellow hands from those gloves! Happy days. I did love that DR. (Bike now gone, helmet gone, jacket gone, hair gone!)
Which begs the question Brian, which do you now prefer? Your TTR or your WRR?
-- Edited by SteveT on Monday 11th of April 2016 03:17:31 PM
Another great report of WRR fun. Thanks Brian, it really keeps the spirit alive, burning long and hard. It actually inspired me to take the day off from work and go out alone yesterday. It was so beautiful and sunny, so yet another ride report to come .
Amazes me how many things get dumped out down the most obscure and difficult of places to get to. I do hope your local council removes that eyesore of a Fiat for you guys soon.
Good on your buddy Trev for braving it and wadding into the abyss of that muddy little trench , i do hope he's recovered somewhat from his leg injury. The videos were a fantastic touch... setting the bar high for the forum now .
Best wishes,
Paul.
P.S +1 on the TTR. Brought back happy memories of one i had in Thailand many years ago.
Which begs the question Brian, which do you now prefer? Your TTR or your WRR?
I love them both Steve!
The TTR is older technology - air-cooled and a carb - BUT it has dual start and the kicker is good insurance for when you stop and leave everything switched on for longer than you should and you are at the bottom of a hill with a flat battery
Really easy to work on for most owners. I have the Thumper Racing 325 kit on mine and that really livened it up.
The suspension and engine on the WRR are superior but so they should be for a bike introduced 15 years after the first TTR came off the production line
But many jobs are beyond most of us and the wiring loom looks like it would run a small aircraft! The upside is they are such well built and reliable bikes they rarely need attention unless badly abused.
...the dual start would've been great on the WR. Actually had a flat battery when I went out on Tuesday's jaunt. Managed to run the length of the driveway, jump up and seat bounced it into action in 2nd gear. Nothing was going to stop me from enjoying the day .
I have a set of made up jump leads for the WRR as it is quite likely that someone you are riding with can help you out.
Either connect the two bikes up and run the "donor" bike at a fast tickover to get some juice into the WRR battery or else use them to jump start the WRR.
You don't need big fat cable for this as long as you don't leave the WRR churning over. Usually they will start right away when jumped from a charged battery.
A dumped Fiat Punto was the biggest surprise. It had two holes in its roof making us think it may have been moved with a fork lift. Big bump on the front, untaxed and MOT expired 5 Jan 2016!
