Sorry to pull the forum back onto the subject of VStroms, but.
I had an AGM to attend in Newton Abbot yesterday, and the weather was forecast good so... off the AGM down the motorway, and business concluded it was time to head home.
I did more or less the same ride last year, but it rained as soon as I got to Exmoor, so I couldn't 'appreciate' the roads in quite the same way, also, the roads were MUCH quieter this year.
Out of the Heathfield business estate, turn right and headed for Mortonhampstead, straight past Jolly Roger's, usually a must stop. Just outside NA I found a place to stop for a quick sarnie and a flask of coffee, almost no traffic passed, but as I was just finishing my coffee, two 'lads' in black two piece leathers on Hondakawazukiaha four cylinder thousands shot past and gave me a thumbs up.
Up onto the edge of Dartmoor and headed to Chagford. This is a fast bendy road and it didn't take long to catch up the one or two slow locals OAP's. With them dealt with politely I now found myself approaching the back of a four car, two bike queue. I stuck with it for a mile or so, but it was clear the 'lads' were not brave... fair enough, we each ride our own ride, so as soon as it was safe I went. I short spell behind the lead car and that was that and I had the road completely to myself for a few miles.
Not far from my next turn there is a long dead straight road, when on these fast A roads with nothing in front and the sun shining, I just roll along at 60 ish, I've another two hours of riding yet, so no need to make good progress. Half way down the straight, the 'lads' came past. At the end of the straight are a series of wriggles, they were all brake lights and nose dives so I was soon with them again. At the next roundabout they turned left and I turned right... bye!
I'll not give a blow by blow, but I headed to Copplestone then across country to a village called Black Dog. This called for five miles of single track, which was slower but great fun... until I came across a bloke in an estate car. He was doing his own thing with his missus in the passengers seat and as soon as I came up behind him I knew he was not going to let me past. A couple of miles later the single track widened just enough and I was past.
Onto another A road and into Tiverton. This is were I got tail gated at 60 ish by a young girl driving an MG SUV. Why do they do it? She got uncomfortably close a couple of times, and any attempt to shake her off with a bit of speed just meant I was being tailgated on an A road at 75! I was saved by some slower traffic, that I passed easily, although it was quite good fun cracking along to keep the MG off my tail.... and yes, I could always have let her past.
From Tiverton I dived onto my old friend the A396, it was wet in places and some of the surfaces have broken up already... they were great this summer. I stuck with it until I got to Wheddon Cross where I took a right and headed across towards Raleigh Cross, the Quantock Hills and Bishops Lydeard. The views down over to the Bristol Channel, Watchet and Wales were absolutely superb. I love riding in Autumn.
At Bridgwater I hopped on the motorway and was home by 5 pm, 200 miles on the clock.
