Home 
Information 
Join Us at the Fox 
News 
Club Reports 
Adventure Reports 
Gallery 
Links 
Calendar 
   
Back to Home

Event Report

The Devizes Run - By Sarah
Oct-2006

This proved to be a popular run, 12 of us arrived in Devizes so we were spilt into ‘David’s group:-

David Flippance – 400 DRZ
Heather Spurr – 225 Serow
Neil Chapman – 225 Serow
Russell Hynes – 380 Husaberg
Sarah Crittle – 250 TTR

and ‘Les’s group’ (for those who were worried about two ladies showing them up!):-
Les Packer – 250 XR
Glen Parkinson – 250 TTR
Jerry Abel – 250 XR
Bruce Walters – 400 XR
Ian Sawyer – 510 Husky
Vic Price – 510 Husky
Pete Anstey – 400 DRZ

 
 
From Devizes we staggered our starting times and each route varied slightly. I think we only met twice but we often found evidence of a 510 Husky when we did cover the same ground. So out on the Coate road it was and the first lane, the Wessex Ridgeway which was the shock of the morning. Although it was a bright sunny day, there had been a lot of rain the week before so slippery wasn’t the word for it! Back onto to tarmac and the A342 we rode through Sleight and into Potterne woods. A man and his dog making the going looks easy as the lane turned downhill and sticky.

Into Urchfont and then onto the lane at the back of the manor. Then back into Eascott, across the road and up the stony track onto the Plain. The pace quickened with only the potholes to contend with until we dropped back down to Charlton on the ‘Charlton Drove’. It was here we met several vehicles off to a shoot I think so hedges were firmly hugged as we met the road again.

It was then through Rushall and in the direction of Collingbourne. A friendly Spar shop were saying goodbye to 7 muddy fellas as we turned up. After some supplies and a chat with a friendly old boy on his C90 we were off again in the direction of the Chute’s to find a spot for lunch. I think it was around then that I started my ‘off’s’. Neil may have had one by now but he is very quick in picking the Serow back up again before anyone notices! Having Russell as the tail ender proved very useful, as he no doubt felt obliged to come to my aid. (I think he only joined David’s group in case his evening meal was under threat!)

We met a police officer in the Collingbourne Woods area. Heather and I had just caught up the men in our group after our only comfort break to see him talking to David and Co. Good to see the police out as  he was on the lookout for illegal motorbike users. There is a lot of mini moto use there apparently.  I expect he loved it when the other 7 suddenly appeared too. (The girls were just glad they hadn’t been on that lane a few minutes earlier!) Les lead his boys off first, not sure if there were any guilty consciences but they soon disappeared – we never saw them again!!

It was soon time for lunch on the trail. We found a great spot with fine views towards Wilton and Great Bedwyn – the direction for which we were heading once the various numbers of pasties and pies had been consumed.

 

 
Soon after on our route was a couple from Bill’s list – Great Bedwyn; byway 45 ‘ Bloxham Lane’ (Above). This was a cracking little lane which is a dead end but well worth riding and keeping. This lead onto the Roman road; the UCR 5115 at Grafton (Wilton) (Below from two directions). There is a level crossing here where we all pushed our bikes across.
 

 
 

 
The fuel stop was approaching at Burbage where we witnessed a pretty clean Celica being jet washed – I think this made Heather want to go home and give hers a wash after the bike.

The last stretch back for the Melksham gang involved West Woods and towards East Kennett. It must be noted how I managed to leave Russell standing as a large puddle / lake loomed. Russell thought I was obviously foolish as he didn’t know this particular puddle and feared for his safety, or at least the bike’s possible fear of water. Perhaps I was a little hasty but I didn’t fancy a foot down at that point.

Onto the A4 we were heading in the direction of Devizes again. The 2nd byway we came to we headed for. We waited for 2 landrovers to reach the     end of the lane, shared pleasantries and continued on our way. At the other end we met with a large heap of chippings ready for re-grading. Once negotiated it was off to the top of Roundway and the slippery start to ‘Heddington Steps’. The steps being long gone since there had been a lot of work done here. 

That was the end of the mud, water and falling off! I think I managed only 2 lying into hedges incidents and an obviously misplaced foot at a gateway, which ended with the bike on its side yet again. The award goes to Heather though for the slow motion dive, which I think David enjoyed more than she did. I will say that he did get the Serow upright again being the true gent that he is!

I’m sure Les and the boys had a superb day too so thanks to both leaders for a great run.

November anyone??

Sarah

 
© AmberArc 2024 Visitor Count = 59905

BackTop