TET 01 - White Peak - Smalldale to Hope

TET 01 - White Peak - Smalldale to Hope
This is a video of a local part of the Trans Euro Trail, a long distance trail that winds through Europe. The UK section passes within a few miles of my house, so I thought I'd try out a short section, to get a feel for the CRF300L Rally off road, after I'd made various modifications to it.
Unfortunately I am still having sound problems, with the pieces to camera picking up way too much wind noise, and the helmet mic being disconnected. Massive fail all round. The only thing that survived was the bike audio from my second GoPro.
I did consider deleting it all and starting again another day, but as it was still fresh in my mind, and it was a great day out, I thought I'd cobble it together and narrate it.
I hope to improve next time so thanks for your patience. If it's annoying, please ignore it. It will be better next time. Perhaps mute it, and put on some music instead? I can recommend Motorcycle Emptiness by the Manics!
For more information on the Trans Euro Trail (TET), including .gpx files to download:
transeurotrail...
The bike is my CRF300L Rally, for which I've done a few other videos.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Ride safe!

[@shaegelin]

I like your videos. A lot of thought goes into them and it is clear that you value the viewer's time. Well done!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks Steve, it’s fun some of the time, and there was plenty of time during lockdown. Now that there are more riding opportunities and the days are getting lighter, the temptation to ride and the long dark evenings to edit are fewer. I shall try to keep them coming over the summer!

[@Jmaninaz1]

I have just discovered your channel and am really enjoying your uploaded videos--you're doing a great job and present a great perspective along with a relaxing presentation style. You're doing great navigating the TET, and you're a natural for that kind of riding--I predict many great rides for you on the 300L Rally! Keep up the great work and we appreciate the effort it takes to put up this kind of content -- cheers from the USA!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks!?

[@ethancheng1595]

First time you opened the gate I didn't realise the video was sped up, I thought "why is he so angry opening the gate in a huff?" Anyway, great review of your riding experience and incredible views. I'm considering the CRF300L Rally as well, and this video has been tremendously helpful.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

🤣. Thanks. The videos are already about twice as long as anyone watches so any bits where not a lot happens, I speed up (or cut). For that stretch, I though it was worth leaving in the turning from the road, and then after two helpfully held open, one real one that would need to be opened. The bike is a lot of fun. Good luck with your consideration.

[@monkeydixadventures]

Cheers, glad I’ve found your channel…

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks. It was sort of a lockdown experiment that got out of hand. When I have time, I can get 3 or 4 videos done a week. When I don’t, even 1 is a challenge. Momentum is difficult. Especially when people expect.

[@robertmansell3667]

Good video,I ride these trails solo quite regularly,it’s nice to watch a video riding with courtesy and respect,not the usual let’s see how fast we can go down here,and providing free video evidence for the fun police,👏👏👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks Robert. I, like many, would quite like to keep the trails open, and managing a sensible speed on a trail with walkers, cyclists and horses makes sense. As does always being polite when passing other users and when they are kind enough to open gates. It all helps to keep the complainers at bay. Also I’m still a novice 🤣 so that’s fast enough 😉

[@johnwatson3400]

Enjoyed that👍, great production. Thanks for your efforts

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks John, I'm learning as I go. May the production continue to improve (I'm sure there's a bit of room for that!)

[@richardrowe2874]

Lovely job with the filming. Been following the CRF series with interest, all nicely done, thank you for posting.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I’ve a few more to go I think.

[@tonyosullivan6137]

What a great place to live! I'm looking forward to seeing your gradual conversion, where you relax when getting off the paved road, instead of onto it! Next time, thrash through those puddles!!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks Tony, there are worse places to live and yes, I expect there will be some more puddle troubling in the future!

[@deedeestone3837]

Since you have no rim-locks, when riding at those low pressures and the temperature is high (may not be a problem like here in US) you can spin a tube and blow out the tire. I had it occur in traffic and had my dealer install rim-locks and HD tubes. Now over 11,000 miles on my CRF 250L and very pleased with it.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks, I had looked at those, but while I’m running in, I’m not pushing that hard and I’m doing roads to get to the trails so hopefully i’ b ok with 18psi. If it gets muddier, I’ll go lower and as you suggest, get rimlocks and HD tubes. Perhaps at the first tyre change?

[@WOODZMAN]

looks like a great place to ride, I like all the rock fences!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Rock fences 🤣. Love it. We call them dry stone walls. Limestone in the white peak (where I was riding today), gritstone in the dark peak (where I live). It’s what they did when they ran out of trees in the Middle Ages. It stuck!

[@janeg4706]

@@PeakMotorcycles Down here in West Cornwall, our 'rock fences' are granite and known as 'Cornish hedges'. Perhaps 'rock fences' will catch on too!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@janeg4706 brilliant! There is an art to doing it, and I guess in the past it was the only option. I get so used to them, that they just seem normal.

[@frankcastle5993]

Glad to see you can ride again! Cheers!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Me too! Out again tomorrow. And again on Monday, if I can avoid the ice. There is a lot of lost time to be made up!

[@claretbuck1882]

Beautiful scenery bud & a cracking ride out 👌🏻

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks. It was great to get out. Not many people out either, not on these trails at least.

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Your TET does look quite similar to my Nürnberg region. But your British walls are a work of art, none of this in the South of Germany. I like this kind of hiking on a bike, be quiet, ride in a leisurely way, be a gentleman. I wish there was a bike that combines the 105 kg of my Bet Alp 200 with the twin of my Transalp - maybe your CRF? Cheerio from Nürnberg, Günter

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I look forward to getting over to Germany again when conditions permit. The dry stone walls as we call them (Now Rock Fences thanks to Woodzman Adventures!) Are very much part of the landscape. I guess it’s what you do when you run out of trees and timber and have a lot of stone lying around. To make them properly is a real skill.

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@@PeakMotorcycles If you come to Bavaria, you're welcome in Nürnberg. CU, Günter

[@bikeforjoy]

Beautiful Honda. Wonderful place to live.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks. We get by 😉

[@bikeforjoy]

@@PeakMotorcycles Of course 👍

[@monkeydixadventures]

Great video. I’m looking at doing sections of the TET on my Honda Monkey 🐒. You have a good measured presenting style. I have just set up my own KZbin channel, trying to convince others to become Monkey riders, I will try to emulate your presenting style, as I’m a complete presenting novice. Cheers Dean (Dix)

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, I’m a novice too, 🤣. The monkey bikes are great! I think the ‘21 comes with a 5-speed box too. There were a few on knobblies at the ABR festival and though it’s never going to be an enduro bike, they just look amazing fun? I’ve subscribed.

[@georgesweaton4623]

Fitted zeta handguards with your help on my rally loving your channel thanks

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks and you are very welcome.

[@Michael_Mears]

We are running 150kpa / 21psi in front and rear for now, about 60:40 dirt/bitumen for the first 100km and it seems to be nice, though one of the front tyres was a bit low from the dealer. Certainly pays to check them. I don't have to worry about walkers, but the 'roos always seem to want to intersect our path of travel, so that keeps us on our toes. I find the suspension is anywhere from ok to a bit wishy-washy in the back end, so I'm looking forward to any upgrade you do. In the meantime I'll adjust the pre-load, as you've done. 10:22 a bit of courtesy, and a smile, nice to see.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Sounds awesome! We have sheep that can sometimes wander into the trail, and occasionally cows, but at least they are slow moving. Most of the time! I decided not to go lower than 18, but good to know you’re running 21. Will give that a go and see how it feels. Not sure if air temp makes any difference? I guess not, but it’s mostly mid-single figures Celsius here at the moment. I did shout a loud ‘THANK YOU!’ to the nice lady who held the gate open. Some walkers are great people!

[@pgerry9400]

Nice ride, I too just lived beyond Hope. Actally Hope B.C. in Canada. If you look on a map of BC Hell's Gate is just a little further up the road.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

We are definitely beyond Hope! Though apparently those in Hope village say that they ‘Live in Hope, but would die in Castleton!’ 🤣 I shall get out Google maps. Thanks!

[@GooseDave]

@300 miles you should see a difference. I did. After the 600 miles service even more so. Lovely part of the country. great ride.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I’m nearly there now. I look forward to it!

[@breakM]

If its the same type of ECU from older 250 and 300 engines, it holds only one map that cant even be changed if you want to. What happens after 300 miles is you start to feel more free with the throttle (and cylinder/piston sets in), and after 600mi service you totally remove that conservation thought from your mind so it becomes even better. How it used to be is that bike gets a bit better over 4000-10 000mi when everything really sets in, exhaust gets a tiny bit different, deeper tone as it burns in etc... if I watch my vids from 2016 bike definitely has a different sound note in same rpms compared to now at 22 000km. Maybe there is something integrated in these new 300s as they arent completely the same as older 300s that ran alongside 250, maybe you are on to something. But looking back into my experiences, it was in my head mostly, I went from lower to mid rpm, to mid rpm more often, thats where it has enough torque and power and everytime you gas it it goes more lively.

[@GooseDave]

@@breakM Makes sense. Cheers!

[@thotbanks922]

great video. Did you install a USB port for your GPS? or does the bike includes one already?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, No and no unfortunately. My GPS runs from a cradle which takes a 12V supply from the bike. I didn't need USB and I don't think the bike has one already. I've done a video of the Nav install which includes wiring the cradle into the 12V switched accessory socket. If you need a USB socket, then see if you can get a bike one that runs on 12V and converts that to the 5V that USB needs, and wire that into the accessory socket using one of the accessory plugs. (You'll have to source one of these, but they are available, eBay is a good starting point!)

[@0HARE]

Thanks for another good episode. I found it interesting, informative, and well presented. Your narrative description was helpful. Do you carry a manual or electric pump on the trail, to adjust your tire pressure? Happy Trails

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi Allen, neither. I changed the pressure at home before setting out. So I’m working down in increments. I have an ‘Airman Tour’ compressor on my GS, and I suppose I could take that for changes when out. Good point, will try that!

[@simon7123]

looking good

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks 👍

[@janeg4706]

Wow...what an amazing playground you have on your doorstep! Let's hope the antics of a mindless minority don't prevent the rest of us enjoying the byways in the future. Great video.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Cornwall’s alright too though I expect. It is great having it here. I grew up in the area so it’s one of those things that I’ve spent a lot of time riding in Europe and further afield, rather than exploring every local lane. I suspect 2021 will be a good year for local exploring.

[@DragosDreamer1989]

Awesome vids! One question - do you know if there are any aftermarket suspension upgrades available yet for the 300 Rally ?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I think there’s quite a few. YSS were the first, but now there’s a Nitron, Hagon, Hyperpro, K-Tech and others.

[@simon7123]

I heading out on some of the TET today on my 300

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Awesome mate. Mind how you go. We have a bit of ice in the Peak District this morning (though it's melting fast.) Have an amazing day.

[@The_Arby]

Cool ride :-) Been watching your modifications to the Rally...What else are you going to change next :-)

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I had a package from Thailand last week with some more H2C bits; rear brake cylinder guard and front sprocket cover, also a tail tidy (short rear fender), though lockdown ended in England in March 29th, so I guess I’ll be doing more riding than modifying, at least for a few days, for which I can only apologise! I might have had some Enduristan luggage turn up as well, so will see about fitting that...

[@curnobullen]

Great video! Can you please do a video on how you downloaded the maps onto your navigator? Do you charge the navigator on the bike ? I ride a GS and would like to get a CRF300L to do green lanes too.Great video. Thank you

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi Curno, I will, it's on the list but I still have a few modification videos to edit together and then I'll get to it. It might take a few weeks, for which I can only apologise. As you may expect, I do this around my day job and other commitments, so will do what I can.

[@yorkshiremanphil219]

Excellent video again a tubliss set up might be worth having a look at as you can drop the tyre pressure down to 10 psi with out worry of a pinch puncture and they incopate rim locks What do you think Cheers Phil 👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Yup, I’d seen some of the videos for them. Perhaps when I do a tyre change? One thing I wasn’t sure of was how good they were on road. I will be using the bike as a dual sport, and a safe and comfortable ride on paved roads between the trails is as important as traction on the trails. 10psi sounds awesome for grip, but I’m not sure how that’d cope with hard braking at 50mph on road. I’d not aim to brake that hard, but you never know when the next SMIDSY is going to pull out in front of you.

[@yorkshiremanphil219]

@@PeakMotorcycles hi I've just done a bit of research and apparently there not recommended for any long distance road use so not so good for Duel sport riding Heavy-duty tubes it is Cheers Phil 👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks! Bonus points for extra research!

[@nickfry7705]

Hi, we did most of these trails last week. It was my first offroad outing for about 40 years, only destroyed my wrist the once. You mentioned open source mapping for you Garmin. Any idea what it was called as I want to do the same with my Garmin Zumo XL which will also run tracks. I was thinking of getting TalkyToaster OS mapping as I believe he does mapping for the Garmin. Very interested to know what you used please. Keep up the good vids. Nick

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi Nick, Awesome, not the wrist destruction, but the rest of it! How was the descent down into Pindale? The Open Source mapping came from: www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/761/ They have a Peak District map as a sample, but others are available for purchase. If you're riding round here again, it'd be worth trying the free one, and if any good and you want more, it might be worth purchasing the other. They do seem to be pretty good value, especially compared to the OS or Garmin ones. I also have an annual OS subscription which I use on my phone as a backup, but didn't need it at all for this ride. Cheers,

[@nickfry7705]

@@PeakMotorcycles Pindale? That was a baptism by fire, we did it though, all pretty exciting. Thanks for the info about OS Maps. It might also be worth you having a look at a guy / company called "TalkyToaster" he provides Opon Source Mapping for the whole of the UK at 50,000:1 for a one off payment of about £15. I have used that on Garmin eTrex and Oregon for walking for abouta year now and works really well. Again, thank you for your reply and keep up the good work.

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@nickfry7705 Awesome, and I’m sure getting down there successfully after such a long break must be a real confidence builder. I’ll look up TalkyToaster and give that a go. £15 sounds like a bargain! Ride safe, or safe enough! 🤣

[@sergegs4507]

Hi Andre, i was wondering do you think that the new crf300 ralley, because of the new emissions, has the same power like the 250 ralley. I drive 70/30 Road/ Trails. I'm trying to decide to wait for the 300 till September or a new 250 ralley that i can buy now. In short are the changes worth the wait? Thx in advance, great videos by the way👍

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi Serge, I don’t think there’s any one thing which is a stand out improvement. The changes are all slight, but together make a bigger difference, if they are things that matter for you. Main ones are the gearbox (ratios 1-5 are lower and 6th is higher) which makes for better low speed off-road gearing while still being able to cruise at high speed. It also has a slipper clutch which is super light. I’ve not had any gear selection problems with the engine running or stopped. It’s also slightly more powerful, is a little lighter, and has a gear indicator on the dash. There are some minor suspension changes but it’s still similar to how it was. For me, the power, gearing and clutch were the points that made me buy a 300, but that is also because I I’m quite heavy 🤣. If you need a bike, you could always try the 250 and see how you get on on a test ride. If good enough for now, get one. They hold their value quite well so I don’t expect you’d lose much in the future if you decided to swap.

[@sergegs4507]

@@PeakMotorcycles Thank you Andre for a detailed explanation. One more thing, do you think the gearing of the 300 Ralley is more suited for offroad than the 250 ralley. I will be doing more highway for commuting. If so then its a no brainer. But will the bigger engine sit better on higher speeds? Thx again Andre, have a great day. Serge

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi, I think the gearing is the same on both the L and the Rally. The Rally is a bit heavier overall, but that is the screen and bigger tank as much as anything, and if you need to save some weight off-road, run it with 6L instead of 12L in the tank and that’ll save 6kg high up. Both the 300L and Rally are lighter than their 250 predecessors.

[@sergegs4507]

@@PeakMotorcycles thank you, i really meant the difference in gearing between the 250 rally and the 300 rally, which one is more suited for the longer trips on the road... Thx in advance🙏

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@sergegs4507 300 definitely for the road. 6th gear is higher so higher speed cruising is at lower revs. Also 1-5 are higher geared on the 250, which some find a bit high for off road. A popular mod is to go to a 13T front sprocket on the 250, and some a 42T at the back (stock is 14T front 40T at the back I think) which gives more low end and low speed off-road but also reduces high speed on-road performance. I think that’s why Honda switched to a lower 1-5 ratio on the 300 and also a higher 6th to get the best of both worlds with the stock gearing.

[@jamieharley7015]

Awesome pair tyres to get for your bike is a Michelin anakee wild 50% on road and 50% off road perfect for your bike 👌👌🤙🤙

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Thanks, will look them up. I had the anakee 3’s on my GS. They were ok, but I switched to Tourance NeXT’s.

[@grahamhurdle9828]

Hi what navigation equipment are you using

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Hi Graham, it’s a BMW Navigator VI. (I have a BMW R1250GS too). Underneath, it’s a Garmin and fits on a Zumo 660 bracket. I downloaded a free topo map of the Peak District from the internet and also the TET .GPX for the UK and added that as a trail. I don’t get turn by turn directions like I would for on-road navigation, so it’s more like a route drawn on a map. I hope this helps.

[@tinker6435]

Hi may I ask are your stock tires slippery?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Of course you may! Lots of people complain about them, but I’ve found them to be ok. That said, we’re having quite a dry summer in the Peak National Park, so most of the trails are dry and dusty. On the few muddy bits I’ve found, they are all over the place, but I’m not sure how much of that is the rider. They haven’t been bad enough for me to change them out before they were worn. I think I have perhaps 500 miles to go and they will need replacing. At that point, I’ll switch to Michelin Trackers, rim locks and HD tubes. I think that a good rider can ride anything and get the most out of it. And for a novice rider like me, the problem is generally me rather than the ‘tools’.

[@tinker6435]

Il make do of what I have.. I don't wanna change tires yet it's really a waste anyway thank you and more power to your channel!

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@tinker6435 sounds like a plan, and yes, it does seem to be a waste to change things before they are needed. Ride safe

[@donaldreinholz3745]

Shops in California USA 🇺🇸 aren’t going to get them till June or July

[@PeakMotorcycles]

That sucks. I hope that’s a mistake. Good luck and may they arrive soon.

[@tweetdezweet]

Same in Belgium, ordered mine last weekend :(

[@SH-xq4dq]

Do we still call it the trans Euro Trail now out of the EU 🤣🤣Nice video can’t decide between Rally or CRF which both seem to need significant mods to suspension etc and questions about lighter Honda 300 integrated frame vs something like a husky or KTM enduro spec bike at a lot more money but in need of less upgrades 🤷‍♂️

[@PeakMotorcycles]

Yes, I think so, though having both panniers full of wine is now a problem if you ride from France to the England stretch 🤣

[@SH-xq4dq]

I’ve got a nav 6 lying around so i download some file for the TET but what were the free maps one needs 🤷‍♂️thanks for helping .....I guess it’s cider bottles from the West Country sections😎

[@PeakMotorcycles]

@@SH-xq4dq I’ll do a video. 😉. I’m mid-lambing at the moment, so bike video time is harder to come by for a few more days.

[@travisj2370]

anyone know what the 0-100kmph is?

[@PeakMotorcycles]

I'll have my first service done in 2 weeks. I need to ride a bit of motorway back from the dealer, so I'll see what it does. I don't expect it'll be particularly quick, and might be a 0-60mph rather than 0-100kmph but near enough!