Will soon be on the east side of Dartmoor for a week with a 12 year old with a love of bombing trails, but not so much of long loops.
I know there's Haldon and the off piste there, but is there much else in the wild? I've seen Dartmoor bike park stuff but frankly 12 quid for 4 runs, 1 of which is definitely above his level, is a bit of a piss take, unless I'm missing something.
Neither him nor I are too keen on the thought of endless bridleways.
Never been personally as its 7 hours away but I follow their Instagram page, should be worth a look
Nice one, ta! Think it may be a bit too spicy for him though, he's happy on a red but most of that appears black grade. :/
HSD is red run territory, nice and flowy. Proper job is a bit steeper but nothing crazy. It’s closed during the week at the moment though.
it's also at least an hour's drive from east dartmoor.
east dartmoor: i'd suggest park at the RHS of yarner on the road from bovey to manaton. anywhere once you've passed the first cattle grid. ride up the road towards manaton, and take the left just before the village, traverse across to the bottom of smallacombe rocks, bear right and climb towards hound tor, continue towards hound tor when you top out, hang a left around the settlement, then descend right to the road. once you've hit the road, left and climb towards hound tor again, then take a right to bowerman's nose after the CP, climb to bowerman's then descend to manaton. pass the church and take the water descent (look for a right with a 5 bar gate, follow that trail, take another right at the sheds, climb and then take the next signposted left) . then either take the route to hisley bridge crossing the river, or follow the river and climb back up through houndtor wood following the rupp, hairpin right at the top before you hit a five bar gate. climb again and look for an obvious left, take that and rejoin the water descent, turning right when you hit it. this time proceed towards hisley bridge, join the rupp and turn left towards your vehicle.
dartmoor miles count double. if your 12 year old isn't done by the first bit they will be by the second. drop me a DM if you want further info.
https://scadsonfreeride.com/ There’s Scadson Freeride Park in Paignton. Which has a few runs. Although I’ve not been there in years.
I have a 14 mile loop from Manaton which involves descending Nutcracker, Bowman’s Nose and around Hay Tor, Hound Tor, etc. if you want it, but might not be the best at this time of year. Some pretty good descending though.
How technical and long do you want them to be? There’s one from Bell Tor down to Newbridge carpark that’s ending and fast but not that technical.
Also there’s a loop from Princetown that’s bomb down, winch up
Thanks all, since great stuff here! Scadson looks perfect for a few hours, we check that out!
Not after anything particularly long and arduous at the mo but I reckon I can pick some stuff up from the suggestions above if he wants to go a bit more wild. Really appreciate it 🙂
A morning's googling send to suggest that there was loads of stuff around the area that no longer exists?
Cafeside near Haldon? All quiet.
Exeter Bike Park? Suggestions it opened at the weekend but... Nothing
Scadson? Don't appear to be able to buy tickets, no updates for a looong time 🙁
The COVID boom is over 🙁
Cafeside is still in the planning stages from their latest updates.
Scadson is very much there, it is great for short runs you can session. Top tip if you are driving there if you park in Cockington the Drum is a great pub for after or if you fancy a coffee and a cake Sanctuary Coffee excel at both. Feel free to put a stamp on my loyalty card they keep for me as I always forget to take my wallet now I use my phone 🙂 .
I was up on Dartmoor on Saturday and the area around Manaton, Water and Nutcracker is really good at the moment if you fancy a loop with some decent descents.
Exeter bike park was a weird one, they seemed to quickly pivot to mx instead of mountain bikes and not sure if they are still open or not.
Scadson is still there and very fun for short sessions.
cafeside has been trying to go official for years, hopefully nearing the end of that so it can open properly. There is a lot of off piste stuff at haldon if you follow your nose off the waymarked trails.
IMO you’re missing out on not giving Dartmoor a go, but understand limitations on following maps / having some gruelling linking sections etc
I’ve heard good rumours from people who are good friends with the Cafeside people. Fingers crossed.
I guess if you can’t buy Scadson tickets then just turn up and have a go.
Canonteign has a decent amount of trails in a small area all linked by a fire-trail ride up.
Not sure what the situation is with the felling there though? It was fine last time I went about 5 weeks ago, but there were signs up that felling was going to take place at some point.
I keep meaning to head over to Canonteign. What’s it like at this time of year?
I just saw on Facebook that Exeter Bike Park is reopening soon.
@zerocool - usually rides well whatever the season. it's been a bit scrappy the past year or so due to felling. i went over there a couple of months ago and the contractors were back in there it seemed.
I agree with Del...Canonteign runs well most of the time.
It can be a bit greasy after heavy rain and the steeper lines, with the rock/boulder drops over on the left/west side, are even sketchier in the wet, but for the most part it's great.
Thanks again everyone 🙂 We had a brilliant afternoon at Scadson yesterday! Really nice vibe, loads of friendly kids and loads of stoke and support. What a gem of a place!
Might check out Canonteign later in the week, the boy just wants to go back to Scadson though! Have found a PayPal to send them some cash as well.