A video of some of the lanes from last Saturday in the Peaks, which rates as my most enjoyable ride so far on the new bike.
Byways day
- Thread starter Eastmidsbiker
- Start date
Nice one Ryan. Paul got home eventually then we went to get the bike in a van he hired. Anyone fancy a ride on Monday?
Thanks @Slime Bomb , I have some life admin on Monday (Physio and Dentist), and bike is in to the dealers on Tuesday for a Software update and a small issue. I may pop down to the NEC for a look one day, but might do that tomorrow.
Morning all, I'm probably going out on Saturday for a Peaks loop, something similar to this route, its a great route for Adventure bikes, mostly twin track with a couple of more nadgery lanes. The video below gives a sample of the lanes (just remember that GoPro's can flatten the view a little). Starting from Matlock somewhere, and a fairly early start (08:30 ish). Let me know if you are interested. Suggest a minimum of 50/50 tyres. This is probably quite a dull route for an Enduro bike, but all welcome.
I'd be up for that except I've fractured 11 ribs and a punctured lung from my last outing two weeks ago. Slowly on the mend though. 
Blimey, take it easy and Get Well Soon mate.I'd be up for that except I've fractured 11 ribs and a punctured lung from my last outing two weeks ago. Slowly on the mend though.
Oh shit, how did you do that ? And get well soon fella.
I'd be up for that except I've fractured 11 ribs and a punctured lung from my last outing two weeks ago. Slowly on the mend though.
Going down a lane that I've been down a few times before, nothing technical and only doing about 10mph. Went into a big rut and then somehow went down on the right side. I had to stagger about 300 yards to the nearest village and knock on doors to get help get the bike back up then I somehow rode it 1 and a half hours home then spent 5 days in hospital.
Sorry to hear that @Slime Bomb but well done on getting back home !
It's rubbish how an innocuous slow speed fall can do so much damage.
Keep us updated as to how you are getting on.
I didn't record the whole day, but a sample of a few of the lanes shown below. The GoPro does tend to flatten out the view a little, that's my excuse when you hear me puffing and panting up what looks like a mild incline 
. Bikes includeda KTM 390 Adventure R (Mine), Himalayan 411, Himalayan 450 and an Africa Twin DCT. A couple of minor slow speed falls, but no one hurt. One of the Himmy's damaged his exhaust a little as it fell on that side.
. Bikes includeda KTM 390 Adventure R (Mine), Himalayan 411, Himalayan 450 and an Africa Twin DCT. A couple of minor slow speed falls, but no one hurt. One of the Himmy's damaged his exhaust a little as it fell on that side.
When's the next one please?
Should be out Saturday coming, assuming the weather isn't terrible. Will be in Matlock about 09:30, just let me know if you fancy it and can arrange a meeting point.
Thank you. Do you always start from Matlock?
No, it depends on the route .
Grand, TY. Sorry to be a P.I.T.A..
That looks like great fun. Do you always go that quick?
Morning @Ex-Call Centre Chimp,
I try and find a pace that works for the group. The simple rules are always to wait at the end of the lane to re-group, this allows people to ride at the pace they are comfortable with and one of us will always go back if someone doesn't appear within a minute or two to collect them. Two of the group dropped off due to commitments at the coffee stop and I know that the Africa Twin rider is quick and competent so the pace did pick up a little then. There wasn't one lane where he wasn't nibbling at my heels at the end of it, hence why I was encouraging him to go ahead. People can ride their own ride, chill out or overtake, I don't mind as long as they don't upset anyone else. I like small groups of 2 or 3 as you tend to cover ground more quickly.
I'm also learning about my new bike that I've had less than a year so keen to see how that behaves on the lanes (so far all good, but suspension is quite poor compared to my Tiger so need to do something about that). A 200kg Himalayan 411 with 24bhp will do all these lanes around the pace I did them with a competent rider.
Happy to have a more sedate day out if you fancy it, and there are a few lanes near me in Notts that are quite easy and pleasant, but I don't have great knowledge of Lincolnshire trails.
Just an additional point on this, most of my riding is in the Peaks as it's so beautiful and I like the lanes there. It's at least an hour for me, and a part of why I love adventure bikes so much as the journey there and back is quite pleasant and a part of the day. People do come on enduro bikes occasionally and some ride them, some van them there. I notice you are showing as Lincoln, I am actually meeting someone in Nottingham before we go but didn't suggest that as it wouldnt make sense to go from Lincoln -> Notts -> Peaks. If you want to do some more local lanes the Lincolnshire TRF is pretty active from memory and they will cover more local lanes to you. I belong to the TRF mainly to gain access to their 'Green Roads Map' which is a super useful resource for finding lanes, but the rideouts they do are usually tailored by expected level of rider.
Hope this helps !
I try and find a pace that works for the group. The simple rules are always to wait at the end of the lane to re-group, this allows people to ride at the pace they are comfortable with and one of us will always go back if someone doesn't appear within a minute or two to collect them. Two of the group dropped off due to commitments at the coffee stop and I know that the Africa Twin rider is quick and competent so the pace did pick up a little then. There wasn't one lane where he wasn't nibbling at my heels at the end of it, hence why I was encouraging him to go ahead. People can ride their own ride, chill out or overtake, I don't mind as long as they don't upset anyone else. I like small groups of 2 or 3 as you tend to cover ground more quickly.
I'm also learning about my new bike that I've had less than a year so keen to see how that behaves on the lanes (so far all good, but suspension is quite poor compared to my Tiger so need to do something about that). A 200kg Himalayan 411 with 24bhp will do all these lanes around the pace I did them with a competent rider.
Happy to have a more sedate day out if you fancy it, and there are a few lanes near me in Notts that are quite easy and pleasant, but I don't have great knowledge of Lincolnshire trails.
Just an additional point on this, most of my riding is in the Peaks as it's so beautiful and I like the lanes there. It's at least an hour for me, and a part of why I love adventure bikes so much as the journey there and back is quite pleasant and a part of the day. People do come on enduro bikes occasionally and some ride them, some van them there. I notice you are showing as Lincoln, I am actually meeting someone in Nottingham before we go but didn't suggest that as it wouldnt make sense to go from Lincoln -> Notts -> Peaks. If you want to do some more local lanes the Lincolnshire TRF is pretty active from memory and they will cover more local lanes to you. I belong to the TRF mainly to gain access to their 'Green Roads Map' which is a super useful resource for finding lanes, but the rideouts they do are usually tailored by expected level of rider.
Hope this helps !
That's incredibly helpful thank you.
Edit: As I understand it there are very few green lanes in Lincolnshire.
I joined the TRF when I first bought the WR but everything was done through FB which I don't use. I did join them on one ride but they went far faster than I was capable of and I gave up after a few miles though I don't think they noticed.
I bought the WR quite a few years ago but she's barely been used and I've thought about selling her a few times but she's worth so little now that I've made the decision to try and use her. To that end I've had a Yamalink lowering link fitted and dropped her to the lowest factory level possible in a bid to give me more (any) confidence on the trails but at 63, having had an ankle op. a couple of years ago and not being the most competent rider on the road I'm coming to the conclusion that I should maybe realise my limitations.
Edit: As I understand it there are very few green lanes in Lincolnshire.
I joined the TRF when I first bought the WR but everything was done through FB which I don't use. I did join them on one ride but they went far faster than I was capable of and I gave up after a few miles though I don't think they noticed.
I bought the WR quite a few years ago but she's barely been used and I've thought about selling her a few times but she's worth so little now that I've made the decision to try and use her. To that end I've had a Yamalink lowering link fitted and dropped her to the lowest factory level possible in a bid to give me more (any) confidence on the trails but at 63, having had an ankle op. a couple of years ago and not being the most competent rider on the road I'm coming to the conclusion that I should maybe realise my limitations.
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I had all sorts of plans when I bought the WR, the world was my oyster. I was going to do the TET, the TAT and goodness knows what else. I imported a set of Tusk aluminium panniers from The States, had the rails fitted and was all set to go.
So far she's been to Leicestershire twice, Yorkshire once and ridden around Lincoln a few times and that's been it. I reckon I've done 2,000 miles in the 9 years I've owned her.
I also bought a trailer that's been gathering dust at the back of my garage for years. Full of dreams and ambitions but spent more time and money thinking about it all and not having the balls/gumption to actually go and do it.
Pathetic really.
So far she's been to Leicestershire twice, Yorkshire once and ridden around Lincoln a few times and that's been it. I reckon I've done 2,000 miles in the 9 years I've owned her.
I also bought a trailer that's been gathering dust at the back of my garage for years. Full of dreams and ambitions but spent more time and money thinking about it all and not having the balls/gumption to actually go and do it.
Pathetic really.
That's incredibly helpful thank you.
Edit: As I understand it there are very few green lanes in Lincolnshire.
I joined the TRF when I first bought the WR but everything was done through FB which I don't use. I did join them on one ride but they went far faster than I was capable of and I gave up after a few miles though I don't think they noticed.
I bought the WR quite a few years ago but she's barely been used and I've thought about selling her a few times but she's worth so little now that I've made the decision to try and use her. To that end I've had a Yamalink lowering link fitted and dropped her to the lowest factory level possible in a bid to give me more (any) confidence on the trails but at 63, having had an ankle op. a couple of years ago and not being the most competent rider on the road I'm coming to the conclusion that I should maybe realise my limitations.
I’ll message you later
, let’s get out for an ‘acclimatisation’ ride soon. The biggest hurdle for me taking my bike off road was my own confidence and despite what you see there are still 4 guys worried about dropping their bikes or injuring themselves in that video. I’d love to help you ‘dip your toe in’. It really is a blast.
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