NEWS
Whether you are an Advanced Rider or learning how to become one, there are always new tips and tricks on how to improve your skills and further your fun whilst biking.
Below, you can find tips for Advanced Riding, updates from the Chairman and Chief Observer, as well as information on the trips we offer home and abroad!
We will also keep you up to date on the latest club members who have passed their tests, and the newest club members.
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Devon Advanced Motorcyclists
Devon Advanced Motorcyclists
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EVENTS
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LES'S THIRDSDAY RIDE 15th AUGUST 2024
For August’s 3rd Thursday ride, 8 of us gathered at the Honiton Thelma Hubbert gallery car park, in grey conditions, for the ride across the Somerset levels to Street, passing through the very pretty towns of Martock and Somerton. A coffee stop at Street Clarkes Village was followed by the A39 though Bridgewater and then the section to Watchet, too many solid double whites meaning near impossible to overtake the lines of traffic, and no easy way to avoid the A39 here. The last few miles into Watchet via Doniford at least gave some great views with the sun now out and completely clear across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Watchet was in full tourist season but the friendly Watchet parking attendant told us to park in the yellow hashed areas, so all was well for our lunch stop, where we spread across several of the cafes and were joined by Alan Ebbage on his first DAM group ride; welcome! After lunch some more spirited riding to Wiveliscombe and the final stop at Brazier coffee at Wellington. No mishaps, just a brief Triumph-hot-engine fail-to-start issue but otherwise an enjoyable ride in good conditions and apart from that A39, good roads. Thanks to Leanne for sweeping.
Les Mosco, 18/8/24
LES'S RIDES 20th & 23rd JUNE 2024
20th June Third Thursday Ride to Bude
10 of us gathered at Woodleigh Coach House for a ride to Bude and Morwenstowe, Les piloting. The weather was fine and we enjoyed a good run via the A 3079 and then some of Les’s country lanes close by Roadford Lake, through Clawton, Kilkhampton and to Coombe, where the massive GCHQ listening station suddenly looms on the hillside, always an impressive sight. Lunch at the Morwenstowe Rectory Farm Tea Rooms was excellent, out in the sun at 2 reserved tables, where we were also joined by 3 riders from the Barnstaple area, timing their arrival exactly the same as ours. After lunch the A39 Atlantic Way and some more country roads to Great Torrington and an ice cream and fuel stop and for the northern riders to depart, and then on to Crediton via Chulmleigh. Thanks to all for joining.
23rd June Martin’s Famous 3 Ferries Ride
Martin was unwell so Les piloted, and managed only one navigational error following Martin’s excellent gpx on good roads, only a few lanes this time! 12 left Totnes Steamer Quy at 9:30 prompt for the long day’s ride, which with ferry waits and refreshment stops finished at Ashburton at 5pm. Some rain and cloud on the opening lanes leading us to the Dartmouth Higher Ferry and then after lots of 20 mph and a comfort break at Slapton Sands (no nudists amongst us) and passing the WW2 tank covered in 80th D Day wreaths, as this was the site of one of the most fatal incidents, when U Boats attacked a D Day landing rehearsal. GT Bikes in Plymouth was closed so no stop there, but on via the Torpoint ferry and lunch at Looe, where 3 others joined us and the sun came out. After lunch, the Fowey ferry and then tea and cake at Trevallick Farm Shop, another excellent refreshment stop on Bodmin moor. Then via a fuel stop and Tavistock across Dartmoor, where the 40 mph is a bit dull, but time for the views. Finally to the close at Ashburton. A long but enjoyable ride with lots of variety.
DAM GROUP RIDE TO CHEDDAR GORGE 28th JANUARY 2024
LES'S THIRDSDAY RIDE 18th JANUARY 2024
January’s Third Thursday ride had 5 intrepid riders gather at Moretonhampstead, Simon, Hamish, Tony (Curley and Matthews) and Les. Despite the near and sub-freezing conditions, the weather was glorious sunshine, except for a spectacular sleet storm which Les had carefully arranged timing for exactly when we were in the warm café for lunch, so we could watch through large picture windows as it came and went. Otherwise, the roads were tricky in places with Advanced observations and speed moderation to the fore, including over Dartmoor where lack of other users meant the sheep were more prominent on the road than normal. We had a welcome coffee stop at Liskeard, after which conditions warmed up a bit, and the ride to Polzeath included some lovely roads, not least alongside the Camel estuary with great views. Luckily, the planned Polzeath café was on its annual holiday, so we stumbled instead into the better TJ’s Surf Café which is directly over the beach, great views and friendly staff and good grub. Recommended, but no doubt packed in Summer. The ride back via alongside Port Isaac Bay and a couple of short A30 sections took us to another excellent café, the Pump and Pedal at Sourton, where a decent electric bicycle can be had for about the same price as a 125 motorbike, but coffee much cheaper 🤨. So some different roads, careful and exciting riding in the cold and sunshine, heated clothing a definite bonus.
Best regards,
Les
LES'S THIRDSDAY RIDE 21st DECEMBER 2023
December’s Third Thursday ride on 21st was the shortest day, and at times it felt like the windiest, especially on the 10 miles or so around Chard. But Advanced skills kept everyone safe, so let’s just call the conditions “challenging”. Peter, Derek, Paul and Les started the ride at Sowton, through Ottery St Mary and collecting Leanne and Hamish on the way to Lyme Regis, with our early lunch stop at the well-named Windy Corner Café in West Bay. They looked after us and after a good stop we rode over the top with the usual spectacular views of Chesil Beach and out to Portland Bill, and then a stop at the Hardy Monument (as in “Kiss Me Hardy” rather than “Far from the Madding Crowd”). Again very windy, but spectacular views and well worth the visit. On via Dorchester, through Rampisham, Winyards Gap, Crewkerne and then that especially windy section around Chard and ending the ride with a drink stop at Honiton Starbucks. Thanks to all for their enjoyable company, especially to Paul Haase for his first sweeping day, and thanks to anyone who has come on a Third Thursday in 2023.
(Note: if anyone else fancies planning and piloting any Group rides, just let Les or Rodney know, it’s easy once you know how so don’t be shy).
LM 22/12/23