Green laning

[Dazzle]

Yes sorry, my mistake wolvens lane the very sandy one over coldharbour
that was graded about 10 years ago now and that used to be really tough with loads of deep ruts and puddles.
So beggars Lane is open to bikes then used to good for testing articulation on the jeep

 

[cloudswiper]

@ Tully - I think that your GSA could manage that road (Beggars lane at Gomshall up to join the Drove Road) either way. I would not want to tackle anything more technical than that (and the byways you listed) on a GSA. Depends how confident you are! Si Pavey could do all the lanes on a slick-shod Fatboy - but he and his kind have supernatural talent and lack a fear gland.

 

[tully]

byways and a GSA

thanks for the confirmation - i have to admit i was completely shi**ing myself when i did those byways i listed on Saturday on my GSA but i had read a few threads and looked at some pics and thought i'd give it a try - i didn't crash and the bike is completely unmarked, thankfully.

I totally agree though, with the deep ruts and sections where you're simply riding on bare flints i think a lighter bike would be more "fun"

I wonder if these byways will be more passable (or fun) in the summer on my GSA

alternatively i could just go and do an off-roading course so as to find out how to ride these trails properly, i dont think i was riding quick enough and i did have to stop twice to catch my breath / move some trees

 

[cloudswiper]

The lanes are a lot easier in summer. Riding a big tall bike on slippery surfaces will tend to make you tense up. This will make the handling worse and leave you exhausted. You will only ride faster when you can get out of the habit of looking a couple of yards in front of your front tyre to check for every twig & pebble. I start off like that on every ride. When I get to looking 25 yards ahead I go faster. Having said that it's not a race and I am quite happy to bimble along at jogging pace.

As for a course - there are plenty out there - nothing gives you as much confidence as the level 1 BMW off road course. You are taught by some of the best in the land (including the aforementioned Si Pavey) and they take you from absolute basics. Not cheap - but the lessons will stay with you for life.

 

[tully]

BMW off-road course

that's all good to know and you describe exactly what i was doing/feeling, and it does make you tired pretty quickly - obviously watching the Dakar again this year hasn't rubbed off...yet. hahaha!

i very much intend to do the off-road school soon, but at the moment i am saving for an enagagement ring so it might not be this year!

all the best

 

[Dazzle]

Had a little 2 hour wobble to day, all lanes around Dorking fairly good condition
except London Lane rising up from shere car park the botton 1/3 very deep ruts with some steps, I nearly took the gear level off the yam bent back will have to reshape that tomorrow
Sorry didn't post I was going as it was spur of the moment thing (nice and sunny)

 

[cloudswiper]

Well done on managing London Lane.
When I tried on the Dommi it was blocked by stationary Land Rovers!

 

[Dazzle]

Wouldnt want to try it on a GS
That will probably be the next one with a TRO on it
Looks like 4x4s with extreme tyres on as the ruts have got very deep
It annoys me as all you should need is a MT or AT to drive a green lane really
There is off route damage at the top as well

Beggars lane looks so much better now it's been regraded the edges are starting to recover but sadly I doubt i will ever drive the jeep on it again as I think it will be restricted to bikes and horses now

 

[tully]

your ride out

did you ride through Tadworth/Walton-on-the-hill at about 9am..?

i was walking through the village and saw someone on what looked like a yamaha and a luminous back back....

if it was you, you must have been on your way out cos you weren't very muddy..!

 

[Dazzle]

No wasn't me, the bike is mainly white as I have the acerbis tank on
I have a blue/black jacket and usually blue ruck sac
Going to pick up a rack for it tomorrow so should have a tailpack next time, if someone doesn't keep beating me to all the kreiger us10/20's that come up for sale