Kent, October 2006

A quick spin around Dover.

By  Ian Roscow (TRiK Web Master)
25^th October 2006

For all the usual reasons we thought it'd be a good idea to have a ride around the lanes of Dover. It was a chance to introduce trail riding to Mel and a chance to check out the sections for the up-coming TREK Event...

We met outside H's caf on the A2 near Barham. Present was Mel on her shiny new-ish TTR250, John on one of his Serows, Cliff on his old but looking new Suzuki TS250, Tim on his 'new' KTM 450, and me on my KTM 350. Here's the proud owner Mel next to her shiny, un-muddied Yamaha - how long would that last??

We set off straight into the Lydden lanes, lane number one going well, no incidents and making Mel hopefully feel a little more at ease on the green lanes. Lane two is a little more of a problem with a deep rut to catch you out - and Mel found it! We wait for her at the end of lane three and then Cliff turns up rounding the bend with Mel close behind. Mel and a tree had decided to argue about location - the tree won... Mel's knee lost...

We stop to chat about trees and knees, which gives John and Cliff a chance for a smoke...

A nice photo of the group at rest.

On to a lane that starts nice and green down by Chalksole. Cliff showing Mel the way.

The cattle didn't blink an eyelid - so much for motorcycles disturbing the animals!

Further up the lane it goes through some woods with a steep climb if you go the 'wrong' way. For Cliff that was the wrong way... entertaining though!

John trundles to the end of that lane...

As does Tim...

and Mel...

and Cliff! All together again! Ahhh...

On down the stoney Byway by Greenwood Farm, a route that quite spooked out Mel, then up the other side. Mel was doing well, but finding it much harder than she expected. Still, Mel kept smiling, so it can't have been all bad, even though her knee was still hurting.

Down the other side of the hill towards South Alkham and we are met by a couple of 4x4 machines that did their best to avoid us (and us them, of course!).

Plenty of room!

On down through South Alkham and on to the lane starting at Bramble Hill Cottage - Mel navigates the puddle with no problem.

And then a quick blat across the open land. Here's John cruising in to land.

And here's Mel taking a steadying dab on the mud with Cliff ready to help if need be - but not this time.

The lane nips through some woods, where the mud and some closely following riders was too much of an invite for some people... ahem...

The we headed a bit further south, through West Hougham towards Araf's land. Here's John coming down the slippery, over grown hill - not an often used Byway this one. Unfortunately Mel fell at the corner at the top and by now her knee was really hurting, so she decided it would be best to get home. It turned out that her knee had suffered a fractured knee cap, so we must applaud her for doing so well in that condition. Lots of hero points there! Or even better, heroine points!

We had alook around Araf's land next, and then on up to Shaun's land where we tried the new sections out. Here's Cliff stuck in a hole...

Then Tim had a go...

and then John had to be helped through! You can see that it was starting to get quite dark already.

Cliff was really enjoying the challenge!!

A picture of my bike having a rest... (one of the benefits of being the author!)

Then a quick nip back to Cliff's place for a cup of coffee and a chat about C90s... and that will be another story for next year.