Some of you may remember that Berin, Dr JM, Possu and I tried to ride from Streatley to Barbury Castle in Wiltshire on as many trails as possible in July 2008. Well, the going was harder than we thought and we didn't get a lot further than Lambourn... 
Due to a number of injuries suffered by various protagonists since (in chronological order: Possu - collar bone, Berin - wrist, Pumpy - humerus, Dr JM - bike) it took us almost a year to make the second attempt.
So, last Sunday we met again on the car park behind The Bull in Streatley. This time we were also joined by Strobingred and his trusty DRZ.
I have still not figured out how to get round Bower Farm without leaving the legal route, so we picked up the Ridgeway from Rectory Road. After all the quarrel about users and usage, The Ridgeway is probably the most famous green lane in the country. However, until the Compton Downs it's all hard packed dirt and gravel, not a surface that would get damaged by riding a motorbike along, and perfect to get into the flow.
Then onto Dennisford Road to the subway under the A34 - here comes Berin
Strobingred - still smiling at this point
Dr JM - clearly enjoying herself - followed by tailend Possu
We even made it as far as Stanmore before the first roadside repair...
Well, not quite the legal angle - but, Officer, should Strobingred have pushed his bike home?
Dr JM coming down Woolvers Road from East Ilsley
Great bike for trail riding the Beta Alp 200, don't you think?
It took a while until Mr Berin appeared out of the woods - having had a little tumble or so we heard...
Dark Lane has been seriously graded recently - no more waist-deep mud puddles
- and Beedon Byway No.22 is still closed until the end of November
However, the lane through Pope's Wood provided good entertainment, as always...
Berin demonstrated his advanced pushing technique which he had acquired on his recent Off Road Skills Level 2 course...
Whereas Dr JM had learnt her previous lesson about choosing the right rut!
The group just emerging from the undergrowth - this lane is a little gem: branching off from the Tour of Berkshire leading up to Haycroft Hill: far too short to be taken seriously and therefore completely overgrown. Best to be ridden tucked away neatly below your handlebars...
Possu on Stony Lane
Dr JM doing her lawn mowing duty
Getting quite dirty in the process...
Around lunch time we had already reached Lambourn, last year's turning point...
... where we settled for sandwiches next to the cemetery, as all the nice Cafés are shut on Sundays...
Talking of lunch, unfortunately my lunch break is over and I have to stop for now. Mind you, building up a bit of suspense won't do any harm -
Would we finally make to Barbury Castle this time?
To be continued...
Due to a number of injuries suffered by various protagonists since (in chronological order: Possu - collar bone, Berin - wrist, Pumpy - humerus, Dr JM - bike) it took us almost a year to make the second attempt.
So, last Sunday we met again on the car park behind The Bull in Streatley. This time we were also joined by Strobingred and his trusty DRZ.
I have still not figured out how to get round Bower Farm without leaving the legal route, so we picked up the Ridgeway from Rectory Road. After all the quarrel about users and usage, The Ridgeway is probably the most famous green lane in the country. However, until the Compton Downs it's all hard packed dirt and gravel, not a surface that would get damaged by riding a motorbike along, and perfect to get into the flow.
Then onto Dennisford Road to the subway under the A34 - here comes Berin
Strobingred - still smiling at this point
Dr JM - clearly enjoying herself - followed by tailend Possu
We even made it as far as Stanmore before the first roadside repair...
Well, not quite the legal angle - but, Officer, should Strobingred have pushed his bike home?
Dr JM coming down Woolvers Road from East Ilsley
Great bike for trail riding the Beta Alp 200, don't you think?
It took a while until Mr Berin appeared out of the woods - having had a little tumble or so we heard...
Dark Lane has been seriously graded recently - no more waist-deep mud puddles
- and Beedon Byway No.22 is still closed until the end of November
However, the lane through Pope's Wood provided good entertainment, as always...
Berin demonstrated his advanced pushing technique which he had acquired on his recent Off Road Skills Level 2 course...
Whereas Dr JM had learnt her previous lesson about choosing the right rut!
The group just emerging from the undergrowth - this lane is a little gem: branching off from the Tour of Berkshire leading up to Haycroft Hill: far too short to be taken seriously and therefore completely overgrown. Best to be ridden tucked away neatly below your handlebars...
Possu on Stony Lane
Dr JM doing her lawn mowing duty
Getting quite dirty in the process...
Around lunch time we had already reached Lambourn, last year's turning point...
... where we settled for sandwiches next to the cemetery, as all the nice Cafés are shut on Sundays...
Talking of lunch, unfortunately my lunch break is over and I have to stop for now. Mind you, building up a bit of suspense won't do any harm -
Would we finally make to Barbury Castle this time?
To be continued...
eyes
