So finally got my DR350 up and at 'em following its purchase just after Xmas.
Arranged to meet a mate and some people he knows for a ride out this morning only for him to go out on the piss last night and bailing on me this morning. So here I am at Crescent ready for the off with all my friends...
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10930901_10152860704932669_7862741282298551840_n.jpg?oh=e678ae8feadd03fcde24fb0874678953&oe=557A1D47&__gda__=1434018104_03040706beb45d42601dd63e657153bf)
I was a bit nervous of tackling the section from the Heavy Horse Centre over to Cranborne on my own so planned a road route round it, then I put on my big boy trousers and just went for it, at worst I would drop it in the river and have to push it a mile or so to the nearest road before trying to get the missus to pick me up. As it was the mud was worse than I remembered it but the river was lower and I chugged through with no dramas feeling chuffed with myself.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10365726_10152860704972669_1134267336392089715_n.jpg?oh=51d5653458b0a4db12614ea60dcdeb6a&oe=558B346A&__gda__=1433839637_a32b64e0ce2f5b8fb1efc4249c56186e)
Due to the delayed start to my green laning career I have had plenty of time to study the maps so had no navigational issues taking the road less travelled by, except for a temporary traffic order at the other end stopping me linking up some trails.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10952644_10152860705177669_3940851702727114551_n.jpg?oh=89fea8710e99a2c539100e4db63b5e95&oe=5580348D&__gda__=1434812392_18870a716ab70f23e10bff09fdcfe139)
Ploughed through a very rutted trail north of the A354 onto the more open plain, just me and three surprised deer who ran a wide circle around me then jumped the fence before disappearing over the hill. Also had company from a buzzard, a fox, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, loads of pheasants and a recently deceased badger (no idea what happened to him, no way anyone ran him over where I found him). Starting to wish I had brought a drink at this point.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1491613_10152860705212669_5115562096270502220_n.jpg?oh=2a677253851c28a646d81492a45f6117&oe=557031F4&__gda__=1438432164_c1947da109a6338c162688ff24972a4b)
Rode on up to Salisbury Racecourse which was my target for the day as I only had the morning.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10408056_10152860705507669_6335073214235312329_n.jpg?oh=16736771ec03656b49137acaacaa98d9&oe=557FA343&__gda__=1434829350_6834e3c4e6830a3036975e0138038976)
Turned for home, minor directional issues finding the ford at Stratford Tony which I then bottled out of riding. Have to say the trail up from there was much much harder than I remembered but I made it, which was more than the badger did. Found some old boundary stones, one from the 1800's one even older, which had been uncovered when the brambles had been cut back, made four of us old relics out enjoying the countryside. Considering sipping a puddle or trying some petrol at this point.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11047915_10152860705827669_3342240973397575535_n.jpg?oh=4a94e9beba382bddaec0b5e7c1d3cfac&oe=5584BD58&__gda__=1434919246_87aeb940f6f70a219a432146e04eafdc)
Made it home and had her washed and changed out of my kit bang on the time I said I would be back, unusually. Bit stiff in the shoulders due to death grip on the handlebars for far too much of the ride.
In short, you don't need the latest hot shit tackle to get out there and enjoy yourself or anyone to hold your hand apparently.
Oh yeah, and motorbikes still rock!
Excellent!
+lots!
looks like so much fun. :moto:
(http://www.wigglestatic.com/product-media/5360092876/Camelbak-Classic-2-Litre-Hydration-System-Hydration-Systems-Black-SS14-CBCLASSB-0.jpg?w=2000&h=2000&a=7)
That's so cool Dom!
Would be good to get a camelback but another expense I can do without at the moment
That looks like lots of fun :)
Can tell I enjoyed it, keep finding myself thinking about when I can get out again and what I can do to improve my bike and kit.
This thread made me smile
Quote from: Dom1 on March 09, 2015, 10:03:12 AM
Would be good to get a camelback but another expense I can do without at the moment
These are available. Think it'll be worth it if you intend to do a lot on your bike. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydration-Pack-Camelbak-Backpack-With-Water-2-5L-Bladder-Rucksack-Cycling-Hiking-/191219895058?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item2c85980b12 Only 15 Squids.
Done a fair bit of this fro Swindon down to Salisbury a few years ago in the 4x4....a great way to see the countryside :)