What a cracking weekend we just enjoyed here in the sunny southwest.

Gotta admit that Saturday was largely spent tidying some of the expanse that forms the grounds at Dookes H.Q… There always seems so much to catch up on at this time of year. The raised vegetable beds were focus of quite a lot of attention, cleared three and planted out more leeks in another; you can never have too many leeks you know! Then came the grass cutting and…yeah OK,  I know, enough about all this “Good Life” stuff…what about the biking!!!!!

Quite so; lets get down to business.

Harley and I slipped out on the road late Sunday morning, just as the early mists were burning off and the sun’s warmth was getting going. Our excuse was to pop out for some top-up shopping, well you can’t carry much on a bike, even a Harley, so better get good stuff to make it worthwhile; off to Okehampton then. Not many minutes later and about 25 miles away eastwards on the A30 we parked up and dutifully grabbed the shopping from a well know supermarket that is part of the John Lewis group (other supermarkets are available!).

Time for some twisty bits now, head for Hatherleigh then hang a left towards Holsworthy. West Devon was certainly looking good, the air was gin clear and bright sunshine bathed the landscape along our way. It occurred to me that not many of the trees have started to turn colour yet in this part of the world. Everything seems very green for the moment, which kinda disappointed me, but hey that’s something else to look forward to, I love those golden trees and the sweet smell of autumn leaves! Anyway, we had a super blast and at Holsworthy turned north, crossed back into Cornwall and aimed for Bude, which is quite a nice place, in a seasidey sort of way, but best avoided in the peak tourist season.

I couldn’t resist a visit to Widemouth Bay to see what the waves were like, cos it’s one of my favourite surfing beaches and I haven’t been out with the board for ages. Just as well I didn’t fancy a surf, flat as a mill pond and the tide out almost to Wales!!!

Even worse, the ice-cream kiosk was closed!

Lovely run west along the A39 Atlantic Highway, enjoying the gentle sea breeze, virtually no traffic and the purr of twin cylinder Milwaukee Music, before cutting across Davidstow Moor and back to Dookes H.Q. In all about 100 miles, just enough to keep the old head sane and earn a cup of tea!

Hey, Happy Birthday Vifferman!

It’s all I’ve got to keep myself sane baby, so I just ride, I just ride…

Dookes