The "I know a short-cut" tour of Wiltshire byways. Oct 07

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Eight members from S Wales, the West Country etc. got together this morning. The initial idea was to join up with another group riding Salisbury Plain today. When I signed up I said that I wouldn't do any off-roading as my Vara has road tyres. However, things didn't go as expected...

We rode a few miles down the lane and headed down a simple gravel trail. No problem, I thinks. The next trail wasn't too bad either, only a little mud in places. The third was rather muddier and bumpier. On and on it went so that we ended up riding loads of trails around Wiltshire. Some were quite challenging. One large puddle got us all wandering around looking for the best route. Jason identified it and it was great fun riding through what looked quite challenging but actually needed just little focus and determination.

Never got far enough south to meet the other group neither! Never mind. We had a GREAT time. The full-time scores:
Drops: 2
Bird strikes: 1

Unfortunately my digi camera went into "minute picture" mode without me realising, so the following pictures are small and fuzzy. I expect others will post theirs soon.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Pictures:

[1gear1brake]

It's a real shame that we all didn't get to meet up today. Our contingent of 7 had a whale of a time playing on the trails of Salisbury plain today. Perfect weather, good mix of bikes (3Ats-including one from the Czec republic, 2 XRs, 2KTMs), pub stop, couldn't have been better. I'll post some pics when I've uploaded them, and I'm sure that the others will be doing the same.

Glad you enjoyed your day also.

Dylan

[alpslapper]

Sounds like both groups had a fantastic time. Was thinking of you lot playing in the mud and thrashing the trails - in the glorious autumnal sunshine. *sigh* Cant wait to see the rest of the pics and reports.

[Sharribee]

just uploading them give us 5 minutes and they will be done

[alpslapper]

just uploading them give us 5 minutes and they will be done

ooohhhhhhhh

[Sharribee]

Right all done now.

I can quite honestly say without a shadow of a doubt todays prize for man with biggest balls has to go to DDY. He took his Vara places that would make most big trailees shudder with fear.

Anyway, I can't say where we went because most of the time I was just clinging on with my eyes closed praying that I kept the rubber side the right way down. (tell you about that later.)

We went down lots of little lanes and tracks all with varying depth of mud. The first one I was having quite a bit of fun then Barftone stopped and said it's a bit steep here, what ever you do don't touch the front brake. Eeeek muddy, wet and a bit of a corner with sticky orrible mud on. I stayed in first and stayed away from the front brake and survived. Here are DDY and Mr M at the bottom.





There was a big river at the bottom and James (who is a big cheat riding that little bike ) took his Yam across, something happened and it stopped which left the lads (except Bob and me ) to push it up the hill so he could jump start it.







At the end of that DDY had to get his rag out to polish the Vara back up cause it got a bit dirty



Next byway was a bit muddier with lots of puddles. Anyone who says the Mighty Varadero doesn't do off road obviously hasn't met DDY





The old bus made it through next




as did the KTM (which twinkletoes took a bit of a fancy too)





We stopped for lunch at a little cafe,




which was really appreciated after my river crossing



That bit was really muddy and very slippery and I almost woosed out and let Bob ride Twinkletoes over but my stubborn nature got the better of me.


I love that piccie cause I was really scared. Just after that bit the mud was very sticky and my bike started to slide, towards the lovely KTM - Bob reckons that Twinkletoes is a slut and took a bit of a fancy to the gorgeous orange beast, I learnt my first lesson


DO NOT TOUCH THE FRONT BRAKE.

oopps drop number 1.

Just after that DDY left us to head home - wise move Dave

Then some smarty pants let James on the yamaha lead, it's a bit green down here he says

Oh really I never noticed





Barftone stayed behind me and every time I hesitated I could here him yelling come on it'll go down there easily after that little treat we did one more lane which Mr Mabel slipped on a muddy bit and dropped the tank cheered me up no end that did.

We said goodbye at about 430pm, tired, very very dirty.

I have had the very best day, I have enjoyed every bit it is the first time I have done anything like it (except Bob's little detour up a mountain).

My shoulder hurt, back aches and my knee is killing me but it was worth it.

Huge thanks to the local lads, and from me to Bob and Tony as one of them was always behind me even though I was very very slow and must have been really frustraiting to ride behind.

[alpslapper]

Ace - :d :d :d :d

[alpslapper]

Ive got nothing but the deepest awe and respect for guy guys and guyettes launching those bikes through that stuff - the little pushbike -ttr- is about the most I can manage

Billant pics and report - captures all the fun and mud of the day

[boboneleg]

A big 'well done' to all of you who had 'road tyres' on and still attempted everything - Sharribee, Mr M, and Dave you were the stars.

I had agreat time admiring the views especially as I was behind Sharribee for most of the day

Now go out and order your TKC's and we'll go and find some more mud and puddles to play in