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I know there's a few East Devon riders on here, so a bit of a heads up...
I met a very nice FC bloke up there today who'd been tasked with mapping/GPS tagging the trails that have been popping up up there over lockdown.
Currently he said they're not too concerned, as the trails are mostly loamy single-track, but he did say that cutting trees, building bigger features, etc. is (obviously!) a no-no.
He was aware of the wooden ladder drop that's been put in (and screwed to a tree) and the inference was too much of that sort of thing might result in action from the FC.
What we don't want is all the trails being flattened or blocked like at Yettington or Harpford. This happened because people were putting in big features and damaging trees.
Only started riding East Hill after Yettington got destroyed, would be a shame to lose it as a couple of good runs there.
Makes me think maybe there should be an element of self policing, if you spot something like a wooden feature screwed into a tree, remove it before the FC see it and nuke the whole spot from orbit.
Or just get the contact details for the ranger. Next time you see something stupid send them a picture and location. Then they can deal with it, ideally with a note to explain why they've had to do it. It avoids an overreaction on either side, everything getting leveled, and hopefully the guys who built it just take a more sensible approach.
IME they're pretty reasonable but they'll get their arses in their hands about woodwork.
Makes me think maybe there should be an element of self policing, if you spot something like a wooden feature screwed into a tree, remove it before the FC see it and nuke the whole spot from orbit.
If more start appearing then I might take this route.
It's a pity as it's well built, but actually pretty pointless, there's already an earth jump/drop over the tree that it bridges, and the ladder just drops you onto a flat landing covered in roots.
Many of the trails have been up there 15 years and because of the subtle nature the FC have always been OK up to now. We hadn’t seen the ladder drop and are there a few times a week, so wondering about that. Will head up to recce. Some of the subtle (more obscure) ones remain in Harpford and Yettington but a real shame that so much has been taken out. Seems the younger lads (pretty sure the trails are older than them) are creating the more noticeable stuff and a huge increase in walkers in all those locations has more eyes looking.
Very keen here to keep a mutual agreement between all so appropriate trails can stay.
Yep, some of the trails are really established.
I've been riding up there for over 10 years, and they get refreshed or new lines get put in every so often, but it's quite organic.
Lockdown, however, has defo increased the amount of riders and digging up there.
Luckily it gets so wet and claggy up on East Hill that most people avoid it in the winter, so it normally gets a chance to 'rest' over winter.
Some of the subtle (more obscure) ones remain in Harpford and Yettington
True, long may that continue!
I was very surprised when someone started putting up and trail signs with colour gradings up at Yettington earlier in the year. Trying to make it look official I suppose.
Unfortunately I suspect that forced Clinton Devon Estates hand somewhat, as signage would make it look like they were condoning the building.
They're definitely on the anti side...
There is a very specific car park (near the racecourse) that I'd never go in!
We hadn’t seen the ladder drop and are there a few times a week, so wondering about that. Will head up to recce
I too havent seen said ladder drop, I did hear there were several trails along the strip at the sidmouth tip / harpford end and assume this is that way
It’s a pity as it’s well built, but actually pretty pointless
Funnily enough the wooden feature which appeared at Yettington was very similiar, if you dropped it you lost speed but rolling it felt worse than what was there before!
There is a very specific car park (near the racecourse) that I’d never go in!
Isnt that car park blocked off with mud in the entrance at the moment?
Rode East Hill yesterday and found the wooden structure, it’s in an area we call DarkSide, on an old trail. It’s a well built (reasonably substantial) structure that was probably built with power tools, it’s even been painted with wood preservative! As pointed out above the most unfortunate aspect is it’s screwed to a tree. The really unfortunate bit is how it brings to notice the area. It’s full a great little trails that until now authorities, owners, walkers, etc have ignored.
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I am just about to start commuting to Exmouth from Honiton way. I usually rode the Quantocks as worked in Taunton, but looking for some riding in the Woodbury area. Are the trails pretty easy to find? Is there much to loop together for an evening ride?
Yes, loads.
If you head up from Honiton onto East Hill, via Gittisham, then there's trails all along the main ridge.
Biggest concentration is in the Core Copse area.
Then when you drop off the end at Fire Beacon Hill/Sidmouth there's trails up on Mutters moor, and still a few left in Harpford woods.
You can also head towards Woodbury via Newton Poppleford, and there's trails that start from West Hill/Aylesbeare onwards.
It's quite possible to do an Ottery to Woodbury loop of 35-60km (or more) which is 75-80% off-road. Loads of linking bridleways and green lanes.
@mrwhyte I'd be more than happy to show you around one evening or weekend.
I go out either up East Hill or Woodbury 3-4 times a week.
What sort of trails are you after/do you like?
The really unfortunate bit is how it brings to notice the area. It’s full a great little trails that until now authorities, owners, walkers, etc have ignored.
Yep, it being in full view of the gravel road isn't great.
after Yettington got destroyed
The DH and jump spot back end of Woodbury? How much destroyed and when did it happen? I don't get down that way much and last there Christmas 2018. I'd heard at the time stuff had gone but was still bits and various trails about. Or had it been built up more since then and that's gone now?
Probably doesn't help there's a pin on Google Maps for it with photos.
The DH and jump spot back end of Woodbury? How much destroyed and when did it happen?
Yes, the trails in the the little valley above Yettington, backing onto Bickley Arena.
Happened within the last 5-6 weeks. Most trails and jumps flattened using forestry machinery, so a lot of brush and debris everywhere too.
A few berm lines had been put back in when I last went...but building has moved to another mire secluded spot SE of there now.
Tbh though, that's such a small part of Woodbury. All the other trails and single-track are still there and running lovely.
aj, that is really kind of you, thank you. I have a week off in the next couple of weeks, just before I start my new job. So an evening that week would be great. In terms of riding, I was thinking of doing the trails round there on my fully rigid mtb. so nothing too extreme!
Sounds like a plan 👍 drop me a PM or email ajantom(at)googlemail(dot)com
I'm mostly WFH at the moment, so can go out pretty much anytime, childcare permitting!
I ride most of the trails round here on my rigid Stooge - though some are less fun than others without front suspension!
I live in Yettington - moved here because of the proximity to the common (but don't tell the wife).
I watched the installations appear during lock down as they were on our daily walk route and it did make me cringe - I knew what was coming!
If you go there now it has improved with nice people clearing the debris and I try and clear paths of tree felling debris etc when i walk the dogs up there.
Keep an eye out for Logs that have been put across tracks around corners - not sure who is putting them out - but it's bloody dangerous!
You'll see a Map has been put up recently by Clinton in an attempt to designate tracks for cylists/walkers/horses etc and make people aware of the bridleways.
They are really making an effort and I know they'll leave the nice flowing tracks alone if people just resist jumps and structures.
If Joe Bloggs goes up for a ride one week and then goes up the following week, does the same trail, but hits a jump that wasn't there the previous week and breaks his neck - who is going to get blamed/sued...
There is also a few tracks in the small valley next to the steep road hill out of yettington on the right hand side. They've been there for years and have recently made a come back despite logging. Adds a nice little loop.
If anyone gets stuck out this way with a bike breakdown - lost - needs a guide etc, please feel free to keep my number (PM me) for getting in touch. Have most tools here and a van!
And a big thank you for the above posts on East Hill/mutters etc, I really need to get out there and explore. (just jumping on the common is rather easy when you know it well!)
Happy biking 🙂
It's interesting how many East Devon riders are on here - but I can go for a long ride around these parts and never bump into anyone!
It's nice to be in an area with good riding, but that's not at all over-crowded 🙂
This is a bit of an epic route (77km) that I did a few weeks ago.
It was meant as a sort of Otter Valley and Woodbury 'Greatest Hits' route.
If anyone wants GPXs of routes around here just ask 😉
77km!
I am lucky to manage 10km of a an evening these days with work and family!
Love to see the GPX though - I'll email you - thank you 🙂
Had a week off work so missed the last few posts, @Ajantom is this:
but building has moved to another mire secluded spot SE of there now.
Is this the stuff near Squabmoor and Inner Ting Tong?
Is the wooden structure still up Easthill? I did intend to go up there last week but ended up at Cove and Minehad in the week instead.
Is the wooden structure still up Easthill?
It was when I rode there on Sunday.
Is this the stuff near Squabmoor and Inner Ting Tong
There was building going on in the woods above Dalditch Farm (so near Inner Ting Tong)...Shortwood common?
But that's all been demolished as of about a week ago now.
Is the wooden structure still up Easthill?
Now gone.
Well not gone as such, just in bits on the hillside 😆
Wasn't me honest!
No loss anyway, the trail is still good without it.
@ajantom my wife's family live in Ottery, I'm hoping we might be able to visit at some point over the summer; if I do, would it be okay to hit you up for route options around East Hill? I'm curious about the trails up there, I've often thought there should be a load but have only found short sections previously.
@riklegge Yep, that's cool.
I'm off work for 6 weeks now, and will be around for most of it.
Happy to either show you around, or give you a gpx.
77 77! Blimey, usually well cooked after 15-20! Where you around in the Mallets Bash days ? Totally agreed with you a number of good loops around the Ottery valley of various lengths with half decent inbetween bits and some pretty good short blasts.