Dartmoor and Sunshine: The Perfect Combination

On the first day we woke to a cloudless and beautifully sunny day and gathered for our first ride. Our second guide, Colin, had a bit of a dog-sitting issue and so it was agreed that Colin and Tumble (our new four legged friend) became vehicle back up for the day.

 

We headed off gently up forest trails and got to the first challenge of the day which was a river crossing using some pretty precarious stepping stones. We all got ourselves and our bikes over without a single wet foot (bit disappointing really – it would have made for some more dramatic pictures). We then continued to some entertaining technical sections of a combination of small boulders and loose rock.

 

The first was a little warm-up to get us on our toes before we hit a section which Rob described as “a bit of challenge” to see who could get up it in one go. This was a gentle uphill gradient with large rocks and boulders and a large step up over slabs of rock. Steve showed us the way, gracefully coming to a halt half way. A few more tried and then Nick got on his stallion and steam rolled up the middle, amazingly getting up the step, and disappeared round the corner. Graham, after seeing such a fine example, set off with legs spinning at a hundred miles an hour, cheers from the back then... stop, back wheel up in the air, legs still spinning and then with much hilarity for the onlookers, we watched the only uphill comical air pedalling over the handlebar dismount seen in mtb history. After a little pause a cheery face appeared from the brambles, no harm done.

 

The remainder of the morning consisted of a variety of heart pounding uphills and cross moorland single tracks ending in a pub lunch where the size of the cheesy chips beat everyone. Suitably refreshed and rather laden down with too much good food we headed up the steep climb on to the moor. The challenge was to find the right gear to keep spinning as you picked your way up the grassy gradient and be able to kick up the tricky peaty step ups. Many tired legs gave up and pushed but Graham, Terry, Rob and Conor (and occasionally me) showed us how it was done. 

 

After regrouping we hit the real technical sections of the day skirting round Grimspound Bronze Age settlement and over to the Warren Inn high on the moor where a beer sitting in the sun overlooking the fantastic view beckoned.

 

Seat posts were dropped and off we went, the first large section meant picking your way around boulders protruding through the grass. As the gradient increased the drops and twists to find a good line increased, the multiple choice of lines meant it was easy to stall, something you had to avoid at all costs, just relax and allow the bike to do its job was the only way to overcome the unexpected. Then the trail narrowed into a twisting walkway of giant slabs of granite heading down towards a large boulder crossing of a stream and a boulder climb up onto a less technical downhill section (not including the large Bronze Age drainage ditch half way down). We all got down and a few smiles were to be seen.

 

A brief rest, then up to a sweeping downhill grassy descent and then a bit of a climb (or walk for some) up to the section which people named as the best downhill of the weekend. Seat posts down and off you go; single-track with multiple lines and unexpected drops. The challenge was to pick your line and spot the big drops before they picked you. The lower you got the higher the bracken, the trails became more loose rock and then you arrived at the bottom of a beautiful valley with running steam and grassy slopes on which to rest. The last big effort of the day was a push up the hill to the waiting drink overlooking the moor.

 

Our base for the weekend was a great B&B right in the  heart of Dartmoor not far from the local pub where Tyrone the barman also welcomed us to  Dartmoor in his own unique and entertaining way. Our hosts were very welcoming and provided us with amazing food including an evening meal on Saturday.

 

The second day we woke again to another glorious day. At breakfast we were discussing who had heard the ‘hounds of Dartmoor’ in the night when Colin solved the mystery of the source of the noise by showing us a video of Jason snoring.

 

Our second day of riding started with the first of what seemed many climbs up onto the moor to the Warren Inn. With tired legs and the head wind as we rose up on the open moor it was quite a rude awakening. We headed off over the moor, constantly climbing on moorland trails, keeping the pedals spinning as we picked our way over obstacles and step ups. Again Graham, Terry and Conor led the way. We were all impressed by Conor- 18 months off cycling due to injury and he was out the front all weekend.

 

The morning was a mixture of narrow undulating (steep) Dartmoor lanes and singletrack trails. When we were given the choice to split the group for a technically challenging and non technical option before lunch the whole group chose the easy option of steep bridleways and tracks up to Hounds Tor and the wonderfully named ‘Hound of the Basket Meals’ burger van for lunch.

 

After very nice home made burger and cake we headed off down the road to Jays grave where we turned off on to an innocent – looking bridleway which swept along with step ups and a rut about 10-12 inches wide, made more challenging by the dense overgrowth hiding the odd boulder set to trip you up. You dared not wobble or catch you pedal for once you did it was almost impossible to get back on your bike again until the trail eventually opened out into a sweeping rocky path.

 

A final big slog up the top of the moor stood between us and a return visit to Grimspound and our favourite descent. We all got up up even though by this time our legs were pretty tired. Grimspound was done and dusted and off we went for the big one. Colin let rip down the slope only to come head to head with a giant Highland cow which was sure it had right of way. A near miss saw him get round this obstacle and arrive at the grassy vale with a big smile.  All arrived safely at the bottom even though three bikes suffered punctures on the descent.

 

As Terry had a nap in the sun the valley floor looked like a mini bike workshop.

Overall a great weekend from all perspectives. We are all up for another intermediate trip with WildBike, the lake district has been mooted for next September.

 

Helen

 

More Photos 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95200648@N05/albums/72157659177900612

 

Video footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5xUkUlfhkA

 

Wild Bike 

http://www.wildbike.co.uk

 

Event / Article Type
MTB Dartmoor weekend 25/09
Rob Wildbikes