Sunday 14 August 2016

Dartmoor run 14th August 2016

Wow what a great day out!. 25 riders turned up today at Grahams in Halwill Junction for this years Dartmoor run, this was the first run this year with a promise of no rain all day. Apart from the weather, runs this year have been well received and this run was no exception. After signing on with Chris and  tea and coffee laid on by the family and a briefing, 24 of us, ( Stan not happy with his bike ), set off on time with Ian and John agreeing to do rear marshal duties. The route took us back to Halwill before turning onto the A3079 towards Holsworthy. A few miles on saw Graham turning off the main road on to tracks leading to Ashwater and Ashmill then past Roadford resevoir. Ahead in the distance with lovely views today, we saw the tors on Dartmoor beckoning, then on passing the fairground museum and briefly joining the old A30 Graham led us through Lewdown before turning off and heading for a stop to stretch legs at Lydford National trust car park. A restart saw us join the A386 towards Tavistock at Mary Tavy, then on to the moor proper where we made our way to Princetown for lunch in the Old Police station cafe where we were well looked after. The afternoon run saw us cross the moor to Moretonhampstead via Two Bridges, a number of sheep and cattle tried out our weaving skills, 2 coming very close to 'incidents' but the skill of our riders was up to the task! ( or was it luck!), feeling we needed more food!, we stopped at a car park with an ice cream van at the ready. Graham then took us around M'hampstead and we headed off to Whiddon Down where we took the road through Sticklepath and finally to the BP Services which was the end of the run, about 68 miles in total, Many thanks to Graham for a very good route, to his family for the teas and coffees, to Chris stepping in to sign us on and to Ian and John for rear marshal cover, now don't forget next Mondays evening run to the Mitre at Witheridge after which we shall take a trip on to view Ians 56, ( or is it now more? ),Nortons so see you there.
Chris signs us on at Grahams

The bikes are packed in


note the unusual sunshine

Lydford Gorge car park



Lunch stop

Ice cream with great views


Merv brings his car and chauffer!

Dermot could not resist a cone