Great Western Trail-UK TET

[Ktmmitch]

0530 start to ride from home down to Wiltshire to start the Great Western Trail today on the T7, meeting 2 friends on EXC500 & 1986 Honda XL600 on the way.

Giant Loop Coyote, Tillamook and Diablo tank bag should do for 6 days camping.

Probably about 1,000 mile round trip we think

Kenda Big Block tyres for better grip in the UK mud

 

 

[Ktmmitch]

A snotty start to the second day of our Gt Western Trail, like a trial rather than trail., had to give the big bikes plenty to get through.

The lanes them got more dry and open as we left Dorset and Somerset for Devon.

The clutch on the XL600 started slipping later in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ktmmitch]

Day Three on the Great Western Trail, A massive thanks to rally friends for putting us up at their house near Lands End, Cornwall.

Unfortunately, Paul, on the XL600 had to return home with his slipping clutch.

It was a long 11 hrs riding, friend George did manage to blag a go on the T7 for a couple of hrs which was lovely after riding a 500 EXC for 3 days solid, he did'nt want to get off !!!

Lovely wooded glades, lots of wild garlic smells and then we saw the sea !!!

The first big climb at Warleggan stopped me on the T7, but with help we got going again, good test of the new engine bars and soft luggage racks.

Stayed at rally rider Graham Darlow’s place in Hayle, great food and lovely company. I even stayed up til past midnight

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by Ktmmitch

[Matth]

Wow. Epic trip. Definitely nobblies, thanks for posting KTM

[Ktmmitch]

Day 4, GWT, Land End to Totnes, 185 miles, another cracking day leaving Cornwall for Devon, lots of sunken lanes then over to Dartmoor and some water crossing s, ponies, sheep and me and George Adams

gave up the camping tonight for a pub and a bed, we’re getting tired !!!

 

 

 

 

[Ktmmitch]

Day 5, final day on Gt Western Trail (810 mile loop), full-on 11 hrs starting at 7am, from Totnes, Devon, to Devizes in Wilts, 235 miles.

Stunning views and trails following the coast out of Devon, and mile-long dry stone stream beds to trials ride the T7 Yamaha on, even managed not to drop it at all today!!

Finished off over Salisbury Plain, pub tonight, hot and dusty, suitably tired, thanks to George Adams
for top company and navigation.

 

 

[Si Mo]

Great write up John. Thanks

[boboneleg]

Brilliant, some cracking photos and vids there

[Rich TT]

Absolutely brilliant John. Cracking photos/vids? Amazing what's on our own doorstep..

 

How was the T7 then @Ktmmitch?

 

Rich

[Ktmmitch]

2 hours ago, Rich TT said:

Absolutely brilliant John. Cracking photos/vids? Amazing what's on our own doorstep..

 

How was the T7 then @Ktmmitch?

 

Rich

It did it all (810 mile loop) quite well, but some climbs and descents were very sketchy, my trials experience got me down/up them, but not easy on the T7 if you lack plenty of experience.

Plus its heavy to pick up, so for solo riding I would still use my BMW G310Gs, mainly because it's 50kg lighter

[Rich TT]

1 hour ago, Ktmmitch said:

It did it all (810 mile loop) quite well, but some climbs and descents were very sketchy, my trials experience got me down/up them, but not easy on the T7 if you lack plenty of experience.

Plus its heavy to pick up, so for solo riding I would still use my BMW G310Gs, mainly because it's 50kg lighter

Good stuff. Yeah, some of video's looked pretty hard-core and I'd have preferred to have been on my KTM525EXC, so top riding

 

Rich

[Idarex]

Excellent stuff.  Now I can't wait to get back out on mine. 

[Great Escape]

Brilliant write up and photos John....great that you can link up some lanes and make an epic ride! Good test of your T7!! Cheers,  Steve