revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Crosshair wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:30 am Been trying to figure out logistics for finishing the Southern Trail.
I have done about 313 miles of the 560 now. I’ve got 55 miles to the west to finish off so hopefully I’ll crack that this weekend.
Then that leaves me needing to start in Dover

It’s gonna be quite the day out but I reckon 4hrs will get me there. Then do 5hrs plus lunch on the TET. That should get me to around Hailsham. Then commute home 3hrs. About a 330 mile day.
Then I just need to go to Hailsham another day and do the final century back to where I’ve already been

Following this line on the map across the countryside is strangely addictive

Might it be worth staying the night near the start (or near the end!)?

For a single night all you need is a toothbrush and a clean pair of shreddies (throw the old ones if you really need to travel light. )

I have to work every day. It would indeed be much, much easier but I have dogs and animals to feed before I get to play bikes
It does add to the 'fun' of the challenge though. I reckon I can do a fair chunk of Wales and the Great Western trails from home as well.

(Well, a couple of hundred miles of each)

Rockburner wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 8:34 am For a single night all you need is a toothbrush and a clean pair of shreddies (throw the old ones if you really need to travel light. )

Or just turn the old ones inside out.

Heading out tomorrow to try and finish the Western leg from Birdlip to Tintern. Hoping to meet a guy from STW forum with a Himalayan at 10:00 so will should be nice to have some company.

You’ll need that bashplate round Dover, there’s lots of loose, big chunks of flint in places and hope it’s not rained recently on the chalky lanes.

New aluminium one just arrived in the post

Great day today. Southern Trail now finished west to Tintern. Early doors the clay ruts were depressingly hard but once we hit the rocky chutes up and down the Wye valley, the bike was great

Not regretting the switch from the RE so far then?

No! This is better in almost every way. I think I was even harsh about the build quality.

Did another 220 miles today. Sadly the 60 miles of TET back this way from Lewes are mostly road. But once I got used to revving it so hard- it’s actually much more capable in traffic. There’s just enough oomph to roll-on a bit extra for picking a better slot on the motorway or a cheeky 40/50mph road overtake.

Just had a tot up. 427 miles of the Southern Gpx completed now from Lewes to Tintern. Wondering if I might be able to smash out the remaining 142 in one long day No trouble if there’s as much road as yesterday.

Fitted a +1 front sprocket today. Had to grind off some of the chain catcher but it’s loads better. Am not in 6th in 40 limits now and saves around 800rpm at road speed

I finished the "Great Southern Trail" gpx yesterday. Left home at 08:30, rode 140 miles to Dover (the new gearing meant I could happily sit in the outside lane if needed. Speedo is very accurate, so was pulling 74-76mph no trouble), then did the last 142miles of TET and then rode 110 miles home to arrive back at 9pm.



There were a few fun trails in that section but quite a lot of road in between.



I keep imaging what it would be like for someone from mainland Europe to arrive on a ferry, then experience the UK via the TET and I have to say- I think it would seem like an amazing, picturesque, weird rabbit warren of dank hidden tunnels and forgotten paths interspersed with gates and then stunning views



What struck me yesterday was how few people I saw on the off road sections. Zero MTB's, zero horse riders, zero 4x4's and zero other bikers (although there were a few fresh tracks).



The finale was pretty cool, about 5 miles of fast 4th gear gravel heading under the South Downs back towards Lewes.



I need to decide where to try next. There is another 210 miles that runs closer to London ("The middle England Trail") and I reckon I can start chipping away at the 858 mile "Great Western Trail" as some of that is pretty close. But to be honest, it's not too bad to bomb back to Tintern and start the "Great Cymry Trail" either.

(BTW- am loving the bike now. The gearing change made it feel so much more grown up. I think I'm on about 1400 miles now and to be fair- it hasn't skipped a beat....)

Hats off to you sir,That's a lot of miles in a day on a 300!!! Bike looks great ,nice to see you're enjoying it.

Easier than the same amount of time on the push bike- so I'm finding it rather relaxing to be honest

Another great day. Started at Andover on the Great Western Trail portion of the TET. At 850 odd miles, this is gonna take a while
75 miles of nice flowy trails and lanes and a few steep chalky chutes later, it was time to head home.
Tractors and holiday traffic meant it was an exciting 2h of overtakes and filtering to get back again.
By any measure, this bike is really good fun

Cracking day today. 92 miles of frankly insane sections with everything from boulder strewn gorges to wide open ridges on the Plain

Is that 2 voges and a Himalayan? Are the voges still holding up okay,?

Yes and yes