Guernsey visits Salisbury in September
 

Dear All,

A quick write up with some pictures about our recent trip to Salibury Plain. There were four of us in total. Two of us are forum members and ride Tenere's and the others two were riding a Honda Africa Twin and a KTM 950. We had great weather, only one puncture, ironically on the road, and only a few falls with no significant damage to bikes. Much laughter had by all and some great night riding.

We camped on Brades Acre campsite in Tilshead. Basic but very well located only a couple of hundred metres of road before the Plain. The owner was very friendly and even let us wash down the bikes on site. His charges were �6/person. We had our own tents so I thought that was reasonable especially as the facilities were kept very clean.

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Half way along the Old Shaftesbury Drove. We did this on the Friday as the ranges were closed until 1800 hrs. We then went onto do The Ox Drove and the rideable sections of the MOnarchs Way. Great fun with some fantastic views. It was a great day to 'warm up' to the faster tracks of the Plain. Mat on his KTM was lucky when he fell off into a barbed wire fence but got away with a small scratch on his arm and a broken mirror.

We unfortunately aquired a puncture in the group when we finished the day. We had done about 70 miles off road and stopped for a bite to eat near Amesbury only to come out of the pub to find a flat on Tom's Tenere. The brass screw had gone right through hid tread block squarely on the rear. The old side stand trick with the heaviest bike worked a treat to pop the bead.

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We made camp on a petrol station forecourt to execute the repair. No one person questioned us or offered to help. Not that we needed it.

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Then onto the plain for some fun. We hardly met anyone at all but that may have been because we got lost a couple of times. Not because we are bad a navigating, more because we were very enthusiastic and like children in a sweet shop!

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Then for the mandatory picture by the training village. Last time I was here was just before a tour of Northern Ireland in 1988 and it was a lot less fun!

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The second day we ventured onto the tank training area near Bulford. We spotted the range wardens after a four wheel drive but he seemed not at all interested in the MX guys or us. We did stay mostly on the byways though but some bits were just to tempting to play in.

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Next we found a play spot. Initially we were a bit nervous but soon overcame that as shown below. I never got my africa twin to fly like that when I owned one!

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A really great trip and worth repeating. I would recomend the tank track imediately adjacent to the byway that runs for about 8 km over the top of Larkhill ranges. 40 mph with lovely jumps along its whole length. It really proved to me that throttle is the key to squaring up the front end on landing a bit off centre. Soooo much fun!

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This video footage might work. We will see. Click on the pictures.

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Brilliant I'm very very jealous!

Cracker looking trip there and love the sound of the cheap stay.

You's look like a set of kids on push bikes, oh me next on the big jump!!!!

Shame just not the same trying to us your push bike in the dark:laughing7:

Was indeed a great trip. Certainly a baptism of fire for me, all but 3 of the offs were by me but the Ten is remarkably well made, no damage whatsoever.

A few more of my favourite pics

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Don't stop!

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Quite a big puddle, with lots of tracks going round it!


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State of whe rear wheel after going through it

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These are the tracks we left. You can probaly see the first bike went through, veered to the left before cutting back across the track at 90 degrees due to the amount of mud!
This was taken the following day and despite seeing other bikes on this trail I note that no-one else had gone through


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This is a part arge tank training ground. You could have gone for a swim in some of the water holes.

Looks like you had a lot of fun. Something for SteveD and myself to look at now we have somwhere to camp to make a weekend out it. Anyone else interested? I know some parts are open at different times, are these posted anywhere online so we could plan a weekend when more tracks are open?
Crusty

Highly recommended!!
I went on the Group ride there a few weeks back.. and I would like to join you for a day there again, but with better tyres. Depends when you guys arrange it for.
(I need my road tyres at the moment, as I am having some Dyno runs in the near future. When the dyno stuff is done, I like the look of the Continental TKC 80's.)

Hi Richard,
Steve and I go camping and riding all year round, I have had a look at the campsite mentioned in the thread and it looks like it is open April till October. So it looks like next year unless someone knows of one nearby that is open all year around?
But to be fair, the last thing you want when it is cold is to get soaking wet from puddles and such if you cant`t get warm and dry again, so it might be best left till the weather is warmer again.
Crusty

Hi Crusty.

I've used this campsite all year round-
http://www.thegoldenswan.co.uk/
Nice toilet/shower block and a fantastic pub.

The other one I've used is-
http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk...dbridgeinn.htm
Haven't used this one during the winter so worth checking first.
Again it has a nice toilet/shower block and the food/beer is very good.

If i get around to sorting a camping/trail riding weekend next summer,this will be the first choice campsite.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...d/IMG_3213.jpg

Cheers,
Andy.

Hi Andy, thank you for the links. Which site is the one pictured that looks very idilic...? Are the plains open all year around? Also are there details online of what is open and when? Sorry for the thread hijack Gurnsey guys:Worship_9TRHEA:
Crusty

The picture is from the Woodbridge Inn...a lovely spot,but I think it is closed October to March.

The Golden Swan is open all year.

Here is the link to the SPTA news letter....Novembers PROW open dates will be out in a couple of days.

I can start another thread of the Plain if there is enough interest.

Sorry DickyC....back to your thread now.:evil5:

http://www.collingbourne-ducis.com/SPTA/index.html

No worries Tomsdad, Seems sensible to keep running this here if you want. I am still following it and time etc permitting keen to join in with others in the spring. Having serious withdrawals after the trip. Went out today on the Guernsey green lanes. We managed to bag 90% of them in 2 hours. A tad depressing and looking forward to stretching the legs again off Island. Currently looking at Elan valley area and Brecon Ranges in South Wales for a trip in the New year sometime.

Cheers

Lovely write up fella, makes me want to head out there and have some dirty fun.

If you get this way give me a shout, either for a brew or more.