Its me again, bit grainy, I took them off the editor screen.
I roughly did this rather epic ride from Modbury to Newton Ferrers with most of it being bridleway or back lane vehicle unsuitable,
which is the understatement of the century, I didn't do the river crossing on the way back as I missed the tide and wasnt going
to ride the Haibike through 2ft of incoming tide.
These tracks are full of abandoned farming infrastructure, at least I think its abandoned, you seem to be travelling on the original
paths that connected these tiny hamlets
I had to navigate towards a larger road at this point and this is the entrance to Audley Flete house which is now a retirement home for the very well off
they soon wont be.
This trail starts next to that entrance and its simply stunning as it climbs over the rolling hills and passes under bridges.
The scenery is exquisite and I presume is the left over of created landscape from the stately home.
Huge rock path descent into Holbeton which is beyond cute
The village post office and shop, I sat there for ten minutes and all I could hear was Devon accents inside, local gossip, screaming laughing
and they all emerged at once, slightly tubby, flowery dresses..'allright my lovely!
The next track was blocked by a local who uses it as his parking space. I managed to squeeze past while only collecting one armful of
bramble.
I was the other side of the edge and these cows were making an unworldly collective noise that literally scared me , it sounded like the beast from Forbidden Planet
was in the field. they were all snorting and charging the gate, I'm glad there was also an electric fence.
This was typical of the tracks, but the images don't portray how beautiful they are, everyone is like riding along a fantasy rabbit hole, leaving you no context for where you are heading except for occasional flashes of the outside world.
One of them was two miles of this, I just slowed to a crawl and let the tyres deal with it.
Nearing the coast and you start seeing some weird fantasy house down obscure tiny lanes, I could imagine how it would feel at night without the parked cars,
you would think you had entered a strange cult district.
Reached the coast, pretty well perfect conditions, slight warm breeze, miles of visibility.
I rode down the farmers track to the base of the cliffs, met this family on the way back up, as usual theres always one huffing adult and one smiler.
It switches between male and female, but its mostly the wife who smiles, the man is reverting to protector mode because some drug dealing
electric motorbike riding scallywag seems to be trying to mug people in the countryside.
I have considered comical beach shorts to put them at ease, but my legs would be ripped to bits.
This final descent track into Newton Ferrers was superb, and it was so unused that I picked up a good bit of speed, came around the end to find this couple who
obviously thought a monster truck was on its way down.
Missed the crossing, too deep even for me.
The village is preparing for a festival, bit patriotic this, I'm sure they'll get a visit from Starmers thought police
That's more like it...though I'm not sure....
Climbed the coastal path because two posh ladies called Cressida and Helena said it was fine.
I mostly rode the larger country roads back to Modbury because my vans ticket was running out, took three hours, battery lasted well, still three bars left, main road was terrifying.
Never ever plan a bike ride in South Devon, the drivers want you dead.
Highlights include the endless friendly locals, tourists not so much
One trail i found two survivalists, Dad and son in balaclavas, huge back packs,
those waistcoat style jackets full of pockets, camo pants tucked into army boots, I stopped for a chat, they loved my bike.
'Thats the proper gear for these trails'
I spoilt the whole thing by taking a swig of my drink and having a coughing fit in front of them.
They walked off, probably writing me off as not suitable for the rebellion.
Every track was rideable, the loop down to elford house was simply superb, extremely challenging descent and climb and it hilariously went straight through the
garden of a rental property where the holiday makers were sat sunbathing.
'Which way?'
They all pointed together to the exit.
I got my first puncture, but it sealed itself after a few minutes, fine for the rest of the ride, but they tyre was flat the next day.
Going to plug it today.