Places to play?

[Septimus]

Whato!
My newly acquired KTM 200 will be road legal as soon as I can get to the Post Office tomorrow but I won't be able to sort out a trailer until November (long story). So the question is....are there any green lanes that I could ride to, from Evesham, for a little play until then?

My plan is to do some Enduros after November (i.e. after I get the trailer thing sorted) but I would like to try some green laning too and this seems to be the ideal time to do it

Any thought?

Cheers
Russ

 

[BTBR]

Not to many around Evesham to be honest Russ. But get yourself over towards Fish Hill and there is (was) a whole host of them.

Cracking lane right next to Stanway, but cannot remember the dam name of it now though

Coming from Honeybourne, go over the x-roads to the T junction, go right towards Stanway. The road then goes sharp right with a track going straight ahead.

Well, go straight ahead and follow the rutted track until the stream/bridge. Turn right over the little bridge then left straight away, now the fun begins!

Quite easy this time of year, but in the winter in can take up to a couple of hours to do the climb.

In saying that a lot of them have now had a change of status, but if you are quick no one will know you have ever been there.

Let me know if you can make the West Midlands meet and I'll bring my OS maps.

 

[Mav]

Sounds like an interesting run BTBR - but I can't quite work out where you mean...

On this map: http://streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x...srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=409360&ay=224200

The diamond way heading north west is short, leads to a cross roads, head over that for a little more. Turn right at the first junction and after a little tarmac, there is a good stretch of rocky track and some ruts. Then head left in to Kineton for a couple of pretty good fords.

Come south out of Kineton and take first left at Barton. This is a little steep at first, but quite managable (have done two up on my dakar). After that stretch, go right then first left - nice straight run.

From here head East past Eyford Knoll to Ryknild Street - you'll see it start towards the bottom and middle of this map: http://streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x...srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=409360&ay=224200
It's legal and nearly 3km long It does get a little single track towards the end but JimbGSA had no issues on his 12 Adv and I've also done this one two up on the Dakar. When you come out of the top - head straight on in to Condicote, and stay left as you go through it. Another great track that has some small puddles and can be taken at some speed

That should keep you busy for a little while If you fancy someone to ride with, let me know - but I'm out of the country and/or pretty busy for next 3/4 weeks...

 

[BTBR]

Yep done all of those lanes in the past. Now heres a really interesting one and one that I would recommend you do, but only once!

There is a lane in between the two fords at Kineton, if you are coming up the lane so that the pub is on your right. Dont take the first turn before the pub which takes you down to the widest ford, take the turning afterwards.

Drop down the hill and through the ford, follow the road round to the right as if you were going to do the other ford.

Half way between the two fords is a gate on your right, with a stone bridge going over the stream.

Maybe best to walk it the first time you do it, but be very quiet otherwise you will be rumbled

Go over the bridge and the track goes up and over to the left, as it gets steeper there is a stone wall to your left and quite a steep embankment to your right. Follow this for a few yards and you will come to a large five bar gate that is locked.

STOP here but look to your right up the embankment, thats where you have to go. You have to turn the bike 90 degrees in only a bikes length. Then from a standing start ride up this short but quite steep embankment. But it gets better than that coz as you approach the top you actually have to ride across someones lawn. But please try not to wheel spinover the lawn, as its not big and its certainly not funny.....

The track then actually comes out by the side of the pub.

Now remember me saying about being quiet on the approach, well if the old woman hears you coming you could well end up with a broom handle over you head.

Been there and seen the broom!

Oh happy days......

 

[Septimus]

Thanks Chaps

Got me a new OS map today and it looks as if most of the RUPPs around here were changed to RBs (Restricted Byways) during the NERC debacle It looks like its time to join the TRF.

Anyroadup I'll have myself a little explore this weekend and see how lost I can get (my map reading is so good I paid £150 for a GPS for my ADV)

Drop me a line when you get back Mav. It would be good to have run out someday

Thanks for the 'heads up' at the Fish Alan. I may be ringing you later for advice on how to deal with broom inflicted injuries

 

[Mav]

Thanks Chaps

Got me a new OS map today and it looks as if most of the RUPPs around here were changed to RBs (Restricted Byways) during the NERC debacle It looks like its time to join the TRF.

Anyroadup I'll have myself a little explore this weekend and see how lost I can get (my map reading is so good I paid £150 for a GPS for my ADV)

Drop me a line when you get back Mav. It would be good to have run out someday

Thanks for the 'heads up' at the Fish Alan. I may be ringing you later for advice on how to deal with broom inflicted injuries

Will do - probably be early October.

Let us know how you get on getting lost

 

[Septimus]

Well, I must admit that I thought that I would be telling you tales of my ripping adventures around the Green Lanes of the Vale....Nope, not a bit of it

Attempt No.1 Started her up in a luvverly cloud of aromatic blue smoke and a crackle that brought back happy memories. Quick check before I head off.... No rear light. Oh bummox!

Attempt No.2 A week, a new stop/tail bulb, some wd40 and a roll of insulating tape later I started her again. Luvverly job....Rs end lit up like a Christmas Tree Off we go then
Fifteen minutes later I'm back in the garages trying to figure out why she's handling like she's got tyres filled with custard. MotoX tyres, apparently, do this on tarmac. Most unnerving to say the least

Attempt No. 3 Two weeks after attempt 2 and I've managed to borrow a set of enduro tyres. Although they looked very similar (to me) I was amazed at the difference they made. At least I managed to negotiate a roundabout without having an accident (No, not that kind of accident. A trouser accident)
So, there I was, heading towards Broadway....flat out....in top....50mph....engine screaming like a Banshee.
Now, I'm no expert on 2 strokes but I do remember the sound that a couple of my old 'uns made just before they siezed. So I turned round and rode slowly back home with my left hand covering the clutch.
I guess that this is because the bike had been used, and is consequently geared, for racing. Piece of to wheely tho'

I'm not sure what to do now
Put an extra two teeth on front (advice from the ex-owner) or just leave it and only use it for racing. Which, to be honest, is what I bought it for.

Dunno. The Jury's still out on that. But, don't get me wrong. This EXC200 is a regally fun machine. I may need to strap an anvil to the front mudguard, to keep the front wheel connected to terra firma. Or I may need to learn to control my right wrist a little better (oooer missus).

Cheers for now
Russ

 

[Hew]

One on the front is the equivalent of 3 off the back so it is a reasonably big change.
Unless you intend to do a lot of road miles try it on the road first. I know I have often wished it was easier to get the front wheel off the ground to get up steps and over trees.
Doesn't the smoke smell lovely

 

[Septimus]

just leave it and only use it for racing. Which, to be honest, is what I bought it for.

Time for an update I think

I just got fed up of riding the KTM round the block to keep the engine turning over (and to make me smile too, I must admit ) and saving for a trailer, and a tow-bar, and entry fees and wishing that I could go on trailrides like the ones I keep reading about on here.
So....

I've put in a stack of overtime, sold some stuff, part ex'd the KTM and got me one of these

I had a crack on one of these at the BMW Off-Road Course and was really impressed with what it could do.

Thanks to the guys at Bahnstormer Top Service.

Had a hoot on it today, sliding around a few back roads, and I'm well chuffed with it.

So, my dreams of becoming the oldest Enduro Champion in the world have taken a bit of a beating, but I'll be up for a muddy trundle sometime soon

Cheers
Russ

 

[BTBR]

Nice one Russ.

 

[dirtydog]

Yeah, nice little tool! You certainly ought to stick an Akrapovic on it, they sound absolutely fab!

 

[Mav]

Nice buy Septimus!

If you're around, we could have a play on the lanes for a couple hours on Sat morning.

 

[Septimus]

Thanks chaps

If you're around, we could have a play on the lanes for a couple hours on Sat morning.

Nice one Mav. Thanx
Could you PM me with when & where to meet up?
Nothing too gnarly mind, these 'Sahara Enduro' tyres don't seem that grippy to me

Gettin excited already

Now....how do you get the indicators of these things (apart from smashing them off when I hit the ground of course)