West Devon Borders Run, July 2025

A small but perfectly formed group of Devon’s finest ambassadors went on an important diplomatic mission to meet with the Cornwall Massif (aka Section) for Dave Beacham’s West Devon Borders Run, starting from Strawberry Fields, Lifton.  Ian’s nicely rebuilt BSA A10 was allegedly running-in but despite that and a bit of smoke from the right pot, he led us out at a cracking pace on the run down.  As usual we were heavily outnumbered by the Cornish delegation but we enjoyed their company on a great blend of roads, lovely Devon border landscapes and a relaxing lunch at Lydford.  Thanks go to Dave B for leading the big wing so efficiently and for making a fine day out.

Evening meet 170725

 

8 riders arrived on a decent night at the Bell in Chittlehampton for our July ride and meet. Two treats were in store, firstly, the sight of the two Sunbeams we have heard so much about over the last months looking just wonderful and making a great fore scene for our second treat being the sight of Morris men dancing on the road just outside the inn. Great night as usual, next run is July 27th at Strawberry fields farm shop Liftonfarmshop for a 1030 start.

Evening pub meet June 2025

 

Global warming clearly doesn’t suit everyone so it was just a select few of us that enjoyed a fine June evening at the Exeter Inn, Chittlehamholt.  The food and service were first rate.  

Our Chairman Cliff was proudly sporting a nice new BMW which he claimed to have purchased on special request from his wife, although we had the feeling he wasn’t exactly forced into it!

Ray Rowcliffe memorial run 080625

 

8 riders met up at Jonsey’s cafe for this years Ray Rowcliffe memorial run. The weather was dry and the temperature was promised to be just right for the duration of the run. Today, it was Ian B who had laid on the route and was due to lead us through the lanes of West Devon and Cornwall.

I think at this point I will have a real moan about the state of our roads, the potholes we were constantly trying to evade ( not always successfully!), make our highways and byways look like something you would see in a third class country.

We set off on time and headed off to Dolton, there then followed many little villages and hamlets even passing through the likes of Monkokehampton, Hatherleigh and Bratten Clovelly before arriving at Kit hill cafe for lunch.

After lunch, Ian lead us back to Hatherleigh for our end of run and the long run home.

Thanks to Ian for the route and to John and Cliff for back marker duties, now don’t forget there is an evening meet at the Exeter inn in Chittlehamholt on the 19th and our West borders run on the 27th July.

Evening ride out 220525

 

Five riders found their way to the Lymington arms Wembworthy for this months ride out and meet up. The weather was nice and dry but I did find the low sun to be a nuisance when, despite wearing sunglasses, I lost site of the road a few times because of it, still shouldn’t complain!.

Nice to see Cliff on his Puch and Ian on his newly acquired Suzuki, but it wasn’t all foreign as the Norton and Pete’s Velo can still turn heads. The world was put right of course and everyone seemed to enjoy the event.

Next event will be on June 8th to meet at Jonsey’s café for Ian B’s run.

Exmoor explorer 110525

 

10 riders signed on for this years Exmoor explorer run organised and led by yours truly. The weather from home was great and my app said there may just be some fine rain after lunch for a while so I was looking forward to leading on nice dry roads. The usual route was visited on Thursday, but 2 of the roads I normally used were closed so much time was spent trying to find a way around, typically, the diversion offered was just miles long and would not have got us to the Rest and be thankful for one of their lovely carvery’s on time as they had a big party arriving a little after us.

With Nick and Ian bringing up the rear, we set off at 1050. I had a following rider to mark the turn onto the Rackenford road but then there was no one so I had no option but to

Wait at the next turn.  Suddenly, hidden by a large vehicle, the remaining riders turned up causing a bit of a queue up, but soon on our way we got to Molland and on to the lower moor. A ride across this took us down to the lovely historic Marsh bridge before the turn up on to the middle moor passing Tarr steps on the way. We dropped then into Exford and on to Wheddon cross and our lunch stop, here I learnt that the earlier hold up was due to a BSA deciding it didn’t want to come out to play.

After lunch things got a bit tricky as the rain came whilst we rode over Dunkery beacon leaving things wet and slippery for our to ride over the ford on the Cloutsham road, where my Honda seemed to loose its grip for a while leading to a bit of shimmying and dancing!. 

In Exford we came across a bottleneck of horses, cars and ourselves but once through that things were clearer to Withypool and back over the moor to our finish at the Riverside caravan park.

We have an evening ride out on the 22nd to Wembworthy and next run will be from Jonesey’s café at Winkleigh on June the 8th.

Thanks to everyone who came yesterday for your resilience and patience, and no thanks to the rain makers.

Evening meet 24th April 2025

 

8 riders rode through a pleasant April dry evening to the Stags Head in Filleigh for this our first evening meet of the year. We welcomed two new to the group and hope we made them feel at home.

Naturally much of the talk centred around Mike and his accident where he was rear ended by a vehicle at the Roundswell roundabout. John was able to update us to the fact that Mike has been brought home where he must wait until his ankle swelling has gone down before the operation to sort it, we all wish him well and offer any practical help he may need.

We were able to take over a couple of outside tables where the usual banter and catching up took place. Let’s hope these evening meets attract a good number of riders as they represent a chance to ride unhindered by the need to keep up as in the run.

Net run will be 11th May at Quince for a trip around Exmoor.