Well, I got the little, lightweight bike so I could try and tackle some of the 'rough' lanes around here and for accessing down remote lanes to go fishing in new places, or places previously I have only been able to walk to. Finding lanes isn't as easy as those who say it is a doddle think. Today I found several, hidden backwaters that I didn't know existed, yet they are only about 5 miles from home and I have only lived here for 28 years! Trawling Google earth had me zooming in to see if what I had previously thought was a farm drive is actually a through way.
What a lovely, easy ride this little bike is. I am a complete novice at off road, although what I did today most people will probably think wasn't off road and was just a normal lane with mud on the road - well it was off roading to me and as much as dare tackle on my own for a first go. Besides which, I was exploring and enjoying new found hidden delights, including the place we had our wedding reception all those years ago and that I haven't seen since.
OK, some pictures of the little ride. It was about 25 miles all told, but took all afternoon with stopping to take pictures.
The start was in the Staffordshire village of Calton and is a gated road through to Ilam.
This is stone wall country and lovely,winding lanes, some of which are tree lined and in the summer become treed tunnels.
From the shelter of the trees and walls the road breaks out into the open 'Staffordshire Moorlands'
The track then drops down sharply to Throwley Hall Farm where it runs right through the farmyard, past some of the cattle sheds and calf pens, watch out for the silage and manure on the road, and goes past the remains of the old hall. I didn't read the information plaque, but I would imagine it fell foul of Oliver Cromwell, much of around here was Royalist territory.
The track, well maintained, then winds across the contour before dropping into the valley of the Manifold.
The road then drops sharply around a tight hairpin at the farm and crosses the Manifold.
Beautiful show of heathers in a rockery right beside the road on the outskirts of Ilam.
Ilam memorial. In the summer there is always at least one ice cream van here - if you can ever find somewhere to park.
From Ilam and nipped along beside the Manifold and turned left up to Dovedale. Ignoring the road signs and 'No Traffic' etc I carried on up the path to the Stepping Stones and parked the bike for a picture. In October 1988 Anna and I did the same thing in my TR3B following our wedding, before going to the reception at The Izzak Walton Hotel, across the field above. What a rebel i am.
Having escaped the wrath of the National Trust Warden, who was absent (
) I retraced my tracks to Ilam and turned left over the river and up the hill to Blore. This is where the off road bit started.....
It was a good surface, a bit potholed but easy, which is exactly what I needed to boost my confidence.
The road runs through a bit of wooded area and then breaks out on the tops again, about a mile or two south east of where the other gated road is and the start of my 'adventure'.
At the end there is another gate almost on the main Ashbourne - Leek road (A53? ) I turned right and nipped up to the main junction and turned left, then left again for Stanton and turned down to do the back track. I have done this from the other end, but turned back because I was on the big bike and it looked too muddy and beyond my skills.
Today, on the little bike and with it being considerably less muddy, I plucked up the courage to tackle it. This filthy section only lasts about 300 - 400 yards, but to me it was daunting. Happily I sailed through, despite my trepidations and expectations of a slithery demise! Now I know I can do something like this, I shall up the tempo a bit for next time. The Xcountry is wonderful. It is exactly what I need for this kind of easy route. Not sure I would tackle it on the Adventure yet. Give me time.
What a lovely, easy ride this little bike is. I am a complete novice at off road, although what I did today most people will probably think wasn't off road and was just a normal lane with mud on the road - well it was off roading to me and as much as dare tackle on my own for a first go. Besides which, I was exploring and enjoying new found hidden delights, including the place we had our wedding reception all those years ago and that I haven't seen since.
OK, some pictures of the little ride. It was about 25 miles all told, but took all afternoon with stopping to take pictures.
The start was in the Staffordshire village of Calton and is a gated road through to Ilam.
This is stone wall country and lovely,winding lanes, some of which are tree lined and in the summer become treed tunnels.
From the shelter of the trees and walls the road breaks out into the open 'Staffordshire Moorlands'
The track then drops down sharply to Throwley Hall Farm where it runs right through the farmyard, past some of the cattle sheds and calf pens, watch out for the silage and manure on the road, and goes past the remains of the old hall. I didn't read the information plaque, but I would imagine it fell foul of Oliver Cromwell, much of around here was Royalist territory.
The track, well maintained, then winds across the contour before dropping into the valley of the Manifold.
The road then drops sharply around a tight hairpin at the farm and crosses the Manifold.
Beautiful show of heathers in a rockery right beside the road on the outskirts of Ilam.
Ilam memorial. In the summer there is always at least one ice cream van here - if you can ever find somewhere to park.
From Ilam and nipped along beside the Manifold and turned left up to Dovedale. Ignoring the road signs and 'No Traffic' etc I carried on up the path to the Stepping Stones and parked the bike for a picture. In October 1988 Anna and I did the same thing in my TR3B following our wedding, before going to the reception at The Izzak Walton Hotel, across the field above. What a rebel i am.
Having escaped the wrath of the National Trust Warden, who was absent (
) I retraced my tracks to Ilam and turned left over the river and up the hill to Blore. This is where the off road bit started.....
It was a good surface, a bit potholed but easy, which is exactly what I needed to boost my confidence.
The road runs through a bit of wooded area and then breaks out on the tops again, about a mile or two south east of where the other gated road is and the start of my 'adventure'.
At the end there is another gate almost on the main Ashbourne - Leek road (A53? ) I turned right and nipped up to the main junction and turned left, then left again for Stanton and turned down to do the back track. I have done this from the other end, but turned back because I was on the big bike and it looked too muddy and beyond my skills.
Today, on the little bike and with it being considerably less muddy, I plucked up the courage to tackle it. This filthy section only lasts about 300 - 400 yards, but to me it was daunting. Happily I sailed through, despite my trepidations and expectations of a slithery demise! Now I know I can do something like this, I shall up the tempo a bit for next time. The Xcountry is wonderful. It is exactly what I need for this kind of easy route. Not sure I would tackle it on the Adventure yet. Give me time.
