Salisbury 2nd October ride report

[Maverick]

Well it was an early start for myself and Lootch heading away from Essex around 7:50 Sunday morning. Could feel the winter is rapidly aproaching and did at one point wonder if it's worth while getting out of my warm bed.

We stopped about 30 miles away from Amesbury with numb bum taking it's toll.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct01_std.jpg

After a quick cup of coffee we headed off to the plains and an early water start awaited us, Lootch coming through :D

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct02_std.jpg

Our very own site owner heading for deep blue

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct03_std.jpg

little did we know this was the shallow pools as the next lot we got totally submerged and the first time I though my AT's gonna change into a submarine

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct04_std.jpg

A quick break to stretch and get some fluids in

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct05_std.jpg

Hey you lookin at my bike punk :mrgreen:

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct06_std.jpg

This was one very clean bike untill after this play day :?

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct07_std.jpg

Practising my over shoulder pic shots

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct08_std.jpg

Now that's a warning I like 8)

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct09_std.jpg

No fellas that's not a small AT it's just a very tall bloke :lol:

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct10_std.jpg

Miles and miles of gravel, this is the 3rd time I went to the plains and every time I ride new roads!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct11_std.jpg

At least I was easily spotted from the crowd :wink:

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct12_std.jpg

Another smoke break and some sarnies consumed

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct13_std.jpg

I can see a big cleaning session coming up again

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct14_std.jpg

And as much bush/mud and forrest you can dream off

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct15_std.jpg

This was shortly after I came off in a very small unsuspecting road, alot of warning signs and we missed the ones which said out of bounds untill the ranger told us £30 fine or make your way out of here :shock:

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct16_std.jpg

Final stop before we headed back home after a very good day out on the gravel.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct17_std.jpg

Couple of parting shots with the plains..

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct18_std.jpg

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct19_std.jpg

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/sony%20ericsson/oct_offroad/offroad_oct20_std.jpg

Thanks guys hope we can make another day of it soon even with winter aproaching!

[jvaughan]

Some of the rangers like to use their power ... they also like to bully bike and 4x4 owners who venture onto the plain if your not known to them.

I have been compilling a list of publicly accessable byways and access routes onto theplain.. there is over 115,000 sq. miles of plain, and only 26,000 is out of bounds (military ranges etc). the rest is usually open to the public at weekends

[Slimie]

Ooh, that looks like fun, can I come and play next time, please??

Thanks for postin' the pic's, Maverick

Cheers
-Simon

[Maverick]

Ooh, that looks like fun, can I come and play next time, please??

Thanks for postin' the pic's, Maverick

Cheers
-Simon

Yeah mate the more the merrier, we should of stopped and take some pics at the deep pools we went through. I think all three of us was more shocked getting out of it in one go that we just kept on riding instead of thinking to turn back and do it again.
Was good fun though seeying the front end of the bike just going deeper and deeper untill the water starts coming over the top of the screen :? Weather permitting think we might be able to get another one in although it does get less pleasant if you have to negiotate water wells and cold conditions.

[modrover]

Looked like a great day 8)

[lootch67]

Some more pics of our ride..

Maverick and Dave trying to figure out just how they got talked into coming along....

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1069

I knew this was a bad idea! Look at the state of my bike!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1070

No, actually that's my bike, but your's doesn't look much better Dave!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1071

Maverick on the pegs

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1072

The only mechanical damage sustained - Maverick's engine cover.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1073

A good time was certainly had by all. I'm just disappointed that I got my AT so late in the year which meant I missed out on the other rides and will now have to wait till next year for the next visit toe Salisbury Plain. Still, I knew I didn't come to the UK for the weather! Thanks Dave & Maverick! It was a very good day out! Dave let me know if you want any of the pics in full size.

[DaveS]

Yeah mate the more the merrier, we should of stopped and take some pics at the deep pools we went through. I think all three of us was more shocked getting out of it in one go that we just kept on riding instead of thinking to turn back and do it again.
Was good fun though seeying the front end of the bike just going deeper and deeper untill the water starts coming over the top of the screen :? Weather permitting think we might be able to get another one in although it does get less pleasant if you have to negiotate water wells and cold conditions.

Indeed. I have never been through such a deep pool. The water came right up and over the top of the screen and in my helmet!!

Awesome. I couldn't stop laughing to myself.

[jabba]

Look at all the black @t's not a proper coloured one anywhere?

Still it looks great!!!

What are the tyres on the @t with the green screen????

[Maverick]

What are the tyres on the @t with the green screen????

The tyres is TKC80's mate, think Dave got us a special rate with them if you quote the xrv site.

[Chad]

aw dam im pig sick . this is the price i pay for not paying attention . i was coming back from wales , i took the back roads and more or less came
right past you guys .mind you though could you put up with a complete amateur riding with you . ive never done any off roading before and must admit the idea scares the pants off me :oops: :oops: :oops:

[DaveS]

We'll do another trip in November....
It's all pretty simple stuff and as long as you're sensible and take it easy you'll be ok.
We had a few hairy bits, normally where the water was involved.

<note to self>We must stop and take some proper pics of those water crossings next time.

[jvaughan]

We'll do another trip in November....
It's all pretty simple stuff and as long as you're sensible and take it easy you'll be ok.
We had a few hairy bits, normally where the water was involved.

<note to self>We must stop and take some proper pics of those water crossings next time.

Dave, Next time I will get some "composed" action shots too.
just bought a new camera and need an excuse to use it !!!

[lootch67]

I'm about to go wash the bike. I know this should've been done on Sunday but I got home just as my son was about to go to bed and since his bedroom window is just where I have to use the pressure washer (Not doing it all by hand!!) I've had to leave it till now. Ah, the joys of "working" from home..... :roll: :angel5:

I'll post some pics when I'm done - that would be in about 5 hours time!

[lootch67]

OK, it took the best part of 2½ hours to get the bike looking this good again, but it was definitely worth it!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1074

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1075

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1077

[Maverick]

You missed a spot between the cylinders mate :roll:

[Chad]

wellllll it looks like ive got some work to do to get my scruffy urchin up to scratch . nice cleen bike mate. still i will be ready for the winter make over . but i will wait till after the november plains jaunt . :roll: