I think I may have mentioned Devon TRF Group's annual Axe-to-Exe (A2E) trail riding weekend before but, anyways up, it happened over the weekend. I was volunteered to lead a group and my brother Trev to be my help. A surprise visit from my son Matt resulted in a rapid bike build and he ended up riding my WR250R leaving me on my newly built and MOTd (but untested!) TTR325.
From L to R - my son Matt (WR250R), brother Trev (TTR250) and me (TTR325) - ready for setting off from home on Saturday morning - notice the sunshine
I had a lovely group to lead who were very patient with me thank goodness. Matt rode second man and did the gates and Trev rode shotgun at the rear as TEC.
I think we had nearly 60 guests booked in to ride at the weekend. The photo (Martyn's) below is of the riders gathering for the pre-run briefing.
Bit of a hiccup at the beginning of the day when I turned right out of the gate instead of left. My excuse is that it was the first time out with a new SatNav and I hadn't realised that it wasn't in "track up" mode. It gave our event photographers Steve and Martyn a laugh anyways
Off we go! Me at the front with Matt behind me on "gate duty" today and brother Trev riding shotgun - officially known as a TEC (Tail End Charlie)
and on the way back up the road having realised my mistake
We had an off on the tarmac just after our first lane which resulted in Alison snapping her Serow's right footpeg. We did the rest of the lanes in that loop before she cut back to Castle Brake - the event's base camp for the weekend.
Alison decided she could ride a few more lanes on the footpeg stub on the way back to camp.
One of those lanes was the Crealy Bike Wash. We had some heavy rain recently and the brook looked a lot angrier than when Trev and I rode it last weekend so everyone opted to take the chicken route around it. That is until we got to the other end and Matt decided he wanted a go. He got absolutely soaked from head to toe
The group taking a breather at the top of a tricky lane out of Aylesbeare.
The puddle in the Venn Ottery lane was still pretty slippery!
Event organiser Chris kindly welded up Alison's footpeg and she caught us up at our Royal Oak (Stockland way) lunch stop - well done Chris!
There are some lovely lanes and scenery up around the far east of Devon - this photo is taken at the top of a long lane near Dalwood.
Matt getting a bit enthusiastic on the WRR!
Although not on the route, I had heard that the bike swallowing holes on the ford at West water had been filled in (thank you Devon County Council!) so we diverted through to check it out and it is now perfectly safe and ridable.
It is amazing how the time goes and we decided that Gays Farm (Branscombe) would be our last lane and then main road it back to camp else our guests would miss their dinner!
That is where it went a bit pearshaped.
After our discussion, Trev's TTR refused to start - battery as flat as a witch's whatsit It wouldn't bump start or kick start.
I carry jump leads (the WRR hasn't got a kickstart) and it would start instantly after running my TTR alongside for a short while. However it would stop again after only a short while. After this happened half a dozen times it was decided I would take the group home leaving the boys to work it out.
A phone call from Trev to me at Castle Brake resulted in me setting off for home for the trailer.
On the way home I thought about it and the symptoms indicated a stator failure and that Trev had ridden all day with just the battery providing power. I rang the boys (still sitting at the top of Gays Farm lane and getting colder by the minute) and suggested swapping batteries. They did that and were soon back home. So that's a replacement stator needed for Trev's TTR then
I hope it didn't spoil our guests' day - I enjoyed mine!
I can't express what a fabulous ride report this really was Brian. What an amazing weekend you guys look to have had. It's posts like this that will really inspire folks to get out on adventures again, pushing the extra mile. A massive thumbs up to you all .
Looking at the high shot of all the riders coming together before the get off makes me want to get on board a big event myself. I shall most definitely be on the look out for something that might fit in with my crazily busy schedule this summer.
Turning out the gate and making a wrong turn was hilarious. Made for very funny viewing with the video attachments. I'm glad i'm not the only one that makes these kind of mistakes in life....
I do hope Alison was okay from her tumble. Kudos to event organiser Chris for his welding skills and getting her back in the game. What a great chap!
I can only begin to imagine how awesome it would be to have a son, watch him come of age and then have him come out to shred up the trails with you. You must have had a superb time together and be so very proud of him. Particularly the excellent video clip of "Matt getting a bit enthusiastic on the WRR!", man after my own heart...kick on fella!
Crossing fords and streams are a favorite of mine, but my word, what a ford. The drop off to your right looked excitingly fierce. A D-tour that was well worth it indeed.
So very pleased that you all made it back to base in one piece, despite the stator challenges. I'm sure that all of your guests had the absolute time of their lives and were most grateful for the time had.
It wouldn't bump start or kick start.
. 
