The date had been fixed for ages so the wetaher was not going to stop us.The snow had started to dissapear in various parts of hampshire and we thought that there would be a bit left to muck about in.We were so wrong.We arrived at about 9.30 only one of the vans had been delayed.The road to the meeting place was just coverd in ice and made me think twice about this ride out.
When we goty to the meeting point it was still coverd in thick snow with an icy top to it.Tracks that had been made by some hudge militay thing had turned to ice.We all drove straight on into the snow and parked up.
All the bikes came off quicly and we then set about getting on all the layers and winter gloves it was bitterly cold.We could see the sun starting to creep throuh and kept telling ourselves it would be ok as it started to thaw.
The first few meters was interesting.The front wheel stayed on top of the icy crust whilst the back wheel just spun and churned up the snow.Leaning back and getting into third finally get some real momentum going.Hitting other tyre tracks and ruts made the bike slip and slide.
The last three members of the ride out arrived and unloaded.At this point I was still a bit unsure how good the ride was going to be.I could see the tracks but it was difficult to see the deep puddles that I knew were hidden under the snow.
We went straight up a long hill getting the bikes up into third then leaning back and absorbing the bumps.When you hit a drift is was like both brakes appllied and some rapid down shifting was needed to keep going.We all learnt quickly that crosing or riding in someone elses tracks was just asking for trouble.
We went into some woods and found the snow was starting to melt a little.We did about three miles swinging between the trees and picking up whatever looked like a track.When we came out of the woods we had to cross a small dip.The dip was full of snow up to about 4 foot.Full throttle and hauling the bikes forward we made it through.At this point we had to stop as we were knackerd.
We went back to the vans going as fast as possible down the hill.Back wheeels sliding around and the front wheel vaugly steering.It was a real rush and was I think one of the best parts of the ride out.six bikes all side by side hooninh day the hill.
Lunch was a barbi and hot soup.All very welcome as was the sunshine which took the edge off the cold.
The afternoon was much of the same but more drifts and hauling the bikes out of hidden puddles.With the snow just starting to melt it felt very similar to riding in thick mud.
Back to the vans at about 3 after a great ride and more importantly a laugh.We had no injurys and no mechanicals.
We had to tow one van out of the parking area but otherwisw a really good day.
When we goty to the meeting point it was still coverd in thick snow with an icy top to it.Tracks that had been made by some hudge militay thing had turned to ice.We all drove straight on into the snow and parked up.
All the bikes came off quicly and we then set about getting on all the layers and winter gloves it was bitterly cold.We could see the sun starting to creep throuh and kept telling ourselves it would be ok as it started to thaw.
The first few meters was interesting.The front wheel stayed on top of the icy crust whilst the back wheel just spun and churned up the snow.Leaning back and getting into third finally get some real momentum going.Hitting other tyre tracks and ruts made the bike slip and slide.
The last three members of the ride out arrived and unloaded.At this point I was still a bit unsure how good the ride was going to be.I could see the tracks but it was difficult to see the deep puddles that I knew were hidden under the snow.
We went straight up a long hill getting the bikes up into third then leaning back and absorbing the bumps.When you hit a drift is was like both brakes appllied and some rapid down shifting was needed to keep going.We all learnt quickly that crosing or riding in someone elses tracks was just asking for trouble.
We went into some woods and found the snow was starting to melt a little.We did about three miles swinging between the trees and picking up whatever looked like a track.When we came out of the woods we had to cross a small dip.The dip was full of snow up to about 4 foot.Full throttle and hauling the bikes forward we made it through.At this point we had to stop as we were knackerd.
We went back to the vans going as fast as possible down the hill.Back wheeels sliding around and the front wheel vaugly steering.It was a real rush and was I think one of the best parts of the ride out.six bikes all side by side hooninh day the hill.
Lunch was a barbi and hot soup.All very welcome as was the sunshine which took the edge off the cold.
The afternoon was much of the same but more drifts and hauling the bikes out of hidden puddles.With the snow just starting to melt it felt very similar to riding in thick mud.
Back to the vans at about 3 after a great ride and more importantly a laugh.We had no injurys and no mechanicals.
We had to tow one van out of the parking area but otherwisw a really good day.
