Wiltshire motorcycle adventure part one Salisbury plain Royal Enfield Himalayan Wiltshire man

[@Viaticboston]

STOLEN: KTM sxf250 Wm61ldu and Honda CRF250L PL14GUF from Wiltshire area. Please post on here if you see them or are offered them for sale. Thank you

[@Viaticboston]

Thank you very much mate, when I get another bike we’ll have to go for a ride out on SPTA pal.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hope you get the bikes back Tosh

[@Beeds5]

Your more adventurous than TMF, I don't remember him going through a puddle 😊

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Great ride Sandy. Lovely weather.

[@TheAncientBiker]

'A wimp' is the very last word I would think of you as. Thanks for the vids I enjoy them all.

[@johnwalker4607]

Lovely video. Glad to see that grey squirrel kept going and didn't turn and come back across the track. Regards from Melbourne.

[@michael1061]

Another good one . simple enjoyable motorcycling in lovely scenery, Thank you .

[@kevinrandles6031]

Really love watching the videos. Keep them coming. 😀

[@theheftyhiker847]

Had many a happy hour on there with the 1st Royal tanks back in the 90s beautiful place thanks for the video. ATB

[@albion1949]

I enjoyed that, many thanks for posting it, the ever faithful Chug has served you well yet again.

[@LFH02]

Great to see you out on the Plain, Only a fool rushes in !! good idea taking your time going through that puddle, if you are a wimp then you are a thinking man's wimp who was able to carry on your day rather than mending something, haha. Thanks for the tour. cheers

[@barryconway]

A new Wiltshire man adventure to enjoy with my morning coffee. Well, that's just perfect, thank you! Entertaining and enlightening - in all my years, I too had rather assumed that the whole of The Plain was 'no go'. Now you have me hankering for a light trail bike again... (o;

[@SpiroZoren]

Fantastic. I used to do a bit of green-laning back in the day but not for years. Also watched TMF and then decided to do the same with my son, him on a 125 and me borrowing my other son's Yamaha 660 super-moto. Not ideal on road tyres but we did the whole perimeter and didn't hit a red flag until we tried to sneak into Imber. Great video, good to see some familiar sights.

[@Bowlin01]

Great little trip out. keep your head down Sandy :-)

[@jimrowland6089]

Nice ride Sandy, Thanks for sharing.

[@FlyingHaggisFilms]

Nice remote terrain Sandy, nice share, really enjoyed that. Harry

[@WiltshireMan]

If they caught you stealth camping there Harry they would take you in for interrogation

[@DanOpdal]

Thank you for sharing your adventure!

[@bushlore21]

I missed this ... watching it now in my lunch break!! Glad you’re able to get out Sandy!! Weather here has been unsettling. It’s been cloudy most of the time. Thanks for sharing! Outstanding views!! Go Chug!! Stay well and be safe !!

[@guyemmott4009]

And all that to yourself and 'Chugg'.. Fabulous.🙂 Thoroughly enjoyed this Sandy..

[@jamesgreig1301]

Excellent brought a lot of good memories back to me.👍

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

You're killing it with the content, Sandy. Many thanks. 👍😉🏍️

[@marktownsend9333]

I’ve always wondered what it’s like to ride the Salisbury plains now I know thanks 👍my bike is definitely tarmac only!! Nice video Sandy 👍🏍

[@abefrohman1759]

Nice little adventure Sandy. ATB

[@terrygreen4338]

Sandy great video the bike is made for this type of terrain, good for you for having a go cheers 👍🏍

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes it handled that no problem

[@stuartv-e8161]

A great mini adventure. Thanks for showing us this. Bye Stuart 🙂

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

GM ! set my coffee down, booted up the computer, and another Wiltshire man Adventure awaited me! great day to start the morning off. And it was an adventure for sure. riding amongst live firing of various weapons. is not my cup of tea!. And couple of those mud holes. looked deep enough to sink a battleship! you did well to avoid those few. Thanks again Sandy, looking forward to the next one. 73! de Ellis

[@WiltshireMan]

LOL Yes for sure Ellis, Chug could easily have made me a submariner. They looked deep:)

[@silktvPDR1]

Brings back memories I was based there for three years.

[@ricbarnes6272]

To the wiltshire man, hello, i really enjoy your mc. videos. They are all good ones but the ones i like best are the ones where you ride your faithful olde steed, chug, the himalayan. Thanks much. A canadian.

[@johnwatson5473]

Good video and well done for being honest with your thoughts and doubts - exactly what many others would be thinking - and a wise approach to making sure you enjoy the day and get home safely. Then you can go and enjoy another day....

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks John

[@davidginn7072]

Sandy, I could listen to you reading the menu in a restaurant, your delivery is so personable. Back in the late 1960's whilst in the ATC I spent a lot of of time on the plain because one of our officers was a firearms expert and one of the great pleasures at the begining and end of the day was driving round the ranges on the plan with the range master, either putting up or taking down red flags, you were right to be cautious as some of the seemingly shallow puddles can be very deep especially where tanks have been through. I can't wait for part two. Thanks for taking us along with you. D

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks David, That sounded like an awesome time spent with the Range master

[@davidginn7072]

@@WiltshireMan Thanks Sandy, he was a real character and knew his stuff, much like yourself (and I'm not just blowing smoke up your arse, I mean it). D

[@michaelhutton3642]

Thanks Sandy I enjoyed that trip. Happy trails.

[@marcuskiritsis2076]

Great upload glad my tails of training area 8 made you giggle earlier spent a lot of time there training the new troops coming onto the squadron great days and lots more funny stories. Wow were we young 😆😉👍♥️

[@WiltshireMan]

Happy days always worth remembering Marcus

[@davebuts1921]

Great to see you out and about enjoying yourself mate.

[@WiltshireMan]

I'm lovin the bike riding Dave

[@nightinp60]

Brilliant Video, love watching your adventures. I used to do a couple of mountain bike events across these plains. A Salisbury mountain bike club used to organise them. One was in the winter where you would freeze to death on the plains and the other one was in the midst of summer where you would boil! I didn't realise the trails were open any other time. We used to ride through the village of Imber. This is a village that was taken over by the military at the start of WW2, it was never given back to the residents. The only original building left is the church, it opens up to the public a couple of times a year where there are services held. Keep the video's of your adventures coming they are really good, Thank you.

[@WiltshireMan]

I think Imber is mostly out of bounds these days, just open a few times each year

[@nealeburgess6756]

Nice one Sandy. My technique when I come accross a flooded track is to follow the line of the wheel tracks, first gear, keep moving. If deep enough to bury the exhaust pipe I slip the clutch and keep the revs up (to discourage water entering the exhaust). I'm not an expert on off roading, mostly I stay on the tarmac. But that has worked for me. The last time I had to put my feet down in water was about 46 years ago. That was on the military firing range near Okehampton in Devon (on Dartmoor).

[@WiltshireMan]

I think I just lack a bit in confidence and experience Neale

[@nealeburgess6756]

@@WiltshireMan I would guess from watching you ride on tracks we are about equal in off road ability. As I said, I am no off road expert. Just have occasionaly come accross large puddles, and somehow muddled through. Like life in general really!

[@heydenharrison143]

As always Sandy, I really enjoyed your adventure.Very different to my native Derbyshire which I "green laned"for years when I was a member of the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF).In those days I rode a Kawasaki KE 175. So much fun on that little bike - basic,aircooled and a low saddle so I could put a foot down if necessary.Your videos continue to inspire and bring back memories Sandy.Cheers Heyden

[@WiltshireMan]

Great to know I'm bringing back some good memories for you Heyden

[@TheTrincomalee]

Really enjoying these motorcycle trips. I thought at the water splash you would have taken a lead from Noraly , Itchy Boots, Stop, giggle, and then charge forward! Keep up the good work.

[@WiltshireMan]

I'm not as good looking as her so I have to protect what little good looks I have left:)

[@colinpearson6568]

Great video sandy. I remember Salisbury Plain from my army day, keep your head down lol 🤕lol

[@WiltshireMan]

I will do Colin. It is lovely but windswept place

[@grahamsmith4988]

I was there a couple of weeks ago and got advised by the local plod that all byways are 30mph. The tracks you were riding can be ridden at 70, it's the rough ones to the side that are the real treat.

[@JustinTaylor1098]

Chug laughs in the face of danger.........can’t say the same about the rider... cheers Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

LOL Yes:)

[@SharpblueCreative]

Love thAt area a lot. Great to see

[@johndivit5869]

Total hoot Sandy! I had a similar situation years ago on the Wash. The RAF bombing range was supposed to be closed, but when I arrived, the red flags were everywhere. I eventually found an access which was not flagged, so I parked up and made my way out onto the marsh. Just after dawn, two USAF 'Warthogs' screamed overhead so low that I could see the rivets! (I think that's when I got my first grey hair!) I then watched them 'attack' one of the target ships, which was an awesome (and a bit scary) experience. Looking forward to part two.

[@WiltshireMan]

WOW that was something I'd like to have seen

[@FuchsiaShock]

Great video, easy to find location. I'm going there on my himi :)

[@commonsense3222]

Spent Many "happy" day up up there in the seventies .Now I have the transalp and a himalayan it would be nice to go back again .Thanks for kindling the interest Sandy

[@WiltshireMan]

Both bikes are great for this sort of riding. I also had a Transalp about 15 years ago, a great bike

[@DesmondsDonders]

With the luggage and extra tanks the military probably thought you were part of the live fire exercise. good job they did not turn you into a moving target LOL. Take care Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

Chug could outrun a bullet no problems Dave:)

[@adrianbrown01]

Another great adventure, lovely part of the country. I always thought that area was permanently closed to public due to military use. I now stand corrected. Looking forward to part 2 now 😀

[@chriswright159]

Enjoyed the video. If you head a little further to Tidworth and join the plain at DD you find a huge part of the Plain not effected by the Ranges.

[@markbright7845]

Well said, about not travelling on the more risky sections alone. Number one rule, in my opinion.

[@David_Owsnett]

That looked brilliant. Gonna have to do that myself.

[@foxglove8836]

I have been on Salisbury plain many time's training, The weather can change really fast. One min it can be blue sky's and then it could change to wet and cold. Nice little ride out :-) take care.

[@chrissteer7333]

A great ride Sandy go for it well done

[@mischef18]

4 wheel drive would have come in handy for those puddles bro. Enjoyed your off highway tour anyway. Stay well

[@DelH555]

Good job they didn't use your white helmet as target practice Sandy. Great video.

[@fepowson]

Chug Christened in the puddle :) IF you had wandered too far in the wrong direction Sandy, "their" nice drone would have come and had a word with you :) Keep on "Chugging". Take care.........Les

[@WiltshireMan]

I was careful Les not to get on the "Wrong side" of em:)

[@KentSurvival]

nice one :) was down there years ago laning, must get back one day

[@WiltshireMan]

Andy, plenty of offroading to be done, you would love it. No camping allowed.

[@stephenszalay]

Fab. I spent 20 years going backwards and forwarded along Salisbury Plain. There’s lots to see there. Even if it ends up with a few dead ends and a bit of retracing your steps. The lost village of Imber is well worth a trip. As is Copehill Down. You just need to time it right and keep your distance from the live troop action. They used to publish a daily ‘pink paper’ which would tell you where was out of bounds for the day. Imber is often open at bank holidays. But check first. If you ever need a guide, give me a shout.

[@blowduke]

Great place to have a play ..

[@Andyb2379]

Lovely views up there. I don’t blame you for cautious through puddles. I could see a vicar of dibley moment coming on.

[@chalk6761]

You looked a bit confused what direction the Colonol in his staff car was coming...when you were eating your lunch!..That was a fine bit of left handed saluting there!..Stand easy...Private Sandy!

[@WiltshireMan]

I could hear sounds in the distance but no idea which direction. I'm totally deaf in one ear so had to keep a good lookout

[@meme4one]

I know all these tracks really well, lots of nature and lots of history. The army blow holes in it all the time but its actually one of the best preserved places in the UK. The tank graveyard is an interesting spot, as is the off road driving area, which saw Jezer Clarkson in a Range Rover being chased by a Challenger 2 a few years ago.

[@TheMendipman]

A nice ride out, military or no military. Well done Sandy. Noel

[@WiltshireMan]

It's a nice place to explore Noel. I barely scratched the surface. I'll be back:)

[@Ian-rs1wk]

Cracking video, it brought back memories as I spent a lot of time on Salisbury Plain as a lad in the Army, happy days. Could you do a video on Imber Village, it’s normally open to the public on public holidays

[@WiltshireMan]

I want to go there Ian so hopefully in due course

[@PillSharks]

I could never get the hang of them red flags either Sandy, the last 3 Land Rovers I’ve got rid of have been sold as bomb damaged! Lol Another cracking video and I was hoping to take my tiger XC on the plain this year, maybe we still have time if we get a nice winters day..

[@Shining_Whit]

Good old Chug! When it needs a snorkel to get through, then you know it's too deep!

[@hendrikarqitekt6286]

a wimp, definitely not, you’re just not very young and flexible, just like me. Beautiful place.

[@davidschwartz9636]

Brilliant video Sandy, thanks for posting. I totally agree with you about how beautiful the views are from up there on the plane. - I live just outside Salisbury and have been following a lot of your motorcycle adventures, and am thinking I may like to try out some explores on my bike, perhaps going up onto the plane and exploring some of the by ways may be a good place to start. Must say, your bike chug, seems so well suited to that. My bike's a Triumph Tiger 995i, so I'm not sure if that may be a little bit too big and heavy? Was also thinking of taking my Icom radio set with me and seeing how well I would get out from up there. Regards to you Sandy and your family, David

[@WiltshireMan]

Should be a good spot for /p David. Not sure if radio operation is allowed there though, I should acquaint yourself with the bylaws first just in case

[@beachamgroup2482]

They use the plain extensively on the South West Night Rallies. Very easy to get lost at 2 in the morning and 5 tracks meet up. Local knowledge is a must. Keep safe Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes I could imagine it would be easy to get lost Si. I used Google maps and could see where I was

[@funkyprepper]

All red flags are up. Only a very small part has live exercise on it.

[@RobertsBulgaria]

Part of my old Army stomping ground, TIDWORTH and I lived in Andover for a while too. Notice how white those back-roads are from the Chalk.

[@WiltshireMan]

I guess very slippery too in the wet

[@lewisgardner1660]

Your sure getting some miles in this year sandy, good for you

[@WiltshireMan]

Done nearly 8K miles this year on Chug and Strom

[@acimbobby]

Great ride out again and you kept safe even if you were not aware of those military guys. Did you complain about the noise. Did you hear the tank calling you on 30Mhz Ho Ho

[@johnmunro5983]

Well Sandy, that was certainly something completely different. Interesting to see what's out on the plain. i always thought it was just empty moorland rather than farmland. I would however suggest NOT to put up your drone 🙂🙂, I think that the cow at the beginning was wanting to co-host you channel. keep safe , 73

[@ricbarnes6272]

I was watching that cow as well. It looked like she was trying to get your attention & when you drove off, there was definitely a look of disappointment on her cow like face. You must know the olde saying " lord love a cow". Bye now. This is so much fun, and we are social distanced.

[@danielgornall5643]

Did you see many people walking out it looks a nice place to explore by foot

[@derrickfelix6206]

On this trip Sandy, just how many times, you were sighted in. Funny that. Really would of been surprised not at all, would not trust you in America or far eastern Europe. Cheers stay safe.

[@Shortbikerblondie]

Nice 👍

[@Nebulax123]

Where I grew up in Northern Wisconsin there are areas that look identical to that. It looked just like the Dairy lands in central Wi.

[@himydad1499]

Congratulations on your first watercrossing Andy. They seem worse than they are. don't they.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes your right there. Some of these routes are part of the TET. I need to up my skillset when riding off road. Didn't fancy falling over in the water:)

[@TurboTimsWorld]

The concreate 4 sided pyramids, one at the lookout and one at the green barn, I used to live in Shrivenham and those pyramids I remember them from my school holidays being chased off of RMCS Watchfield by the MOD PLOD on my grifter ! any ideas what they are ?

[@teresagibson2974]

Thank you for the video. Did we spot you going through Badbury, on your Himalayan this week. As we were out having a walk.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Theresa, I did ride through Badbury on my way to Chiseldon with a group of other riders on Sunday so it could have been me?

[@teresagibson2974]

It probably wasn't you as the rider was alone, but it had the same panniers. Don't think it was Sunday 😊

[@stina6762]

You ain’t a wimp mate . Maybe you haven’t got loads of experience off road but yr havin a go on your own.( stand up on them pegs though, told you before!!!) 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Stand up and give it some gas😁🤞

[@patrickshaw7983]

Interesting spin that. Maybe a flak jacket would be a wise investment.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Its amazing what is hidden away in the countryside. You didn't seem phased by the sound of small arms fire then ;) ? And yes, you're a wimp...lol

[@WiltshireMan]

Giles, gunfire is quite a normal sound to me, I grew up with the sound of automatic small arms fire. We lived in Watchfield when I was boy and literally a quarter of a mile away from the military camp known back then as the RMCS Royal Military College of Science. Now it's called Cranfield Institute. Most days would hear automatic weapons being fired, then later in life I did quite a bit of shooting myself . So no fear or ptsd when I hear gun fire just happy childhood memories. I would often go to the ranges and dig in the sound and find the bullets.. No kid would be able to do that these days!

[@WiltshireMan]

LOL Yes I agree. I'm a Wimp...A dry wimp at least:)

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@WiltshireMan I know what you mean. 😉

[@davidsanderson1891]

Nice adventure sandy. Just don't get Shot please. Old dave

[@WiltshireMan]

I'll try not to Dave:)

[@stretch4666]

Looking forward to part 2 of this! Don’t have a motorbike these days just a mountain bike. What area are you riding in?

[@NomadNomad-py3zu]

You could have carried onwards when you got to the ridgeway junction the flag was warning that the impact area was active, The flags aren't always up as stated in some comments.

[@TheSkskitey]

I saw the TMF's vlog too . Your not a whimp Sandy just more cautious at your age so as not to get wet or injured , a young bloke would have charged through and suffered the consequences . I'm not saying your too old as i'm 67 and probably more cautious than you :-)

[@SandeepJha2626605]

Hey i have a question, what do u think one should buy Chinese adv bikes or RE himalayan ? Lovely videos sandy keep them coming

[@WiltshireMan]

I can't say, never tried the Chinese adv bike. The Himalayan has sofar served me OK

[@michaelletford4786]

What tyres are you using if you don’t mind me asking

[@WiltshireMan]

Just the stock tyres. Pirelli MT60 I think

[@jeetts59]

Hopefully you enjoyed that as much as I did

[@WiltshireMan]

I did Harold:)

[@flintycustard8406]

Yes you are a wimp ! : The Dutch girl "Itchy Boots " rode her Himaiayan from Argentina to Canada - Middle East through Afghanestan/ Russia to Holland and I believe she is in Iceland and you stop at few suspect potholes on Salisbury Plain !!!

[@barlscharkley5411]

To boldly go where some men have gone before .... Wiltshire Trek.

[@WiltshireMan]

LOL

[@alexmorgan3435]

I would have thought a big white flag or a Red Cross one would be a wise thing to take with you on these rides ;@).

[@stephenfoster4255]

The guy who owns the shooting club is a nice chap . Jeremy but don't piss him off 😅

[@fatdude8716]

Sandy, was that cow interested in your commentary, or Chug?

[@WiltshireMan]

Cows are very intelligent and inquisitive. I used to work with them in my last job

[@kimbo1211]

What would you do if you got a puncture whilst out in the middle of nowhere, could you repair it your self or would you have to call for assistance?

[@WiltshireMan]

I carry a can of slime smart though it's doubtful it would fix a bad puncture. Good job I know a few helpful people here and there

[@coops9871]

Ahhh Salisbury Plain I remember most of that area. A horrible place to dig in......very chalky soil.

[@WiltshireMan]

OK so you done some digging but did you do any shed building there Ahmed:)

[@coops9871]

@@WiltshireMan Ahmed a basher and shell scrape

[@WiltshireMan]

@@coops9871 LOL

[@billcotton1551]

Wiltshire Man, also watch out for Druids .

[@allanmacbadger5692]

Unfortunately TMF got a lot of it wrong, if you want to know more about the plain send me a message, I live 5 minutes from the plain and spend quite a bit of time there, you're insertion point is Castlery Vedette and like TMF the area next to the reg flag is an impact area so only open at bank holidays, you need to get some local knowledge. PS like the RE Himalayan

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes I agree. TMF made it look easy, but it's not quite so straight forward

[@Dustypilgrim1]

Always worth remembering that on a road with just two ends ahead and to the rear, red range flags in front and behind is not the best result. I bet someone had you on a screen from the moment to got anywhere near . ya'bugga.

[@WiltshireMan]

I reckon so Will. I didn't see anyone apart from a farmer in his tractor and a few cows. Did hear lots of gun fire in the distance

[@bumblingfool]

Oh yeah, go chug!

[@strokenumber3]

Throw a stone in the water to have some idea how deep it is.