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so can any locals 'in the know' tell me if anyone has successfully managed the [b][u]new[/b][/u] really techy descent that turns off near the top of the nutcracker towards the river(not the 'R' tor descent further up the valley) with very steep rock slabs into very tight steep switchbacks..looks as though its not been ridden much and i had to dismount and pretty much down-climb twice (although I'm going to work on that!)...is it rideable by anyone that isn't akrigg? probably the most techy line I've ever seen in the area (found it by chance on an early morning jaunt and followed it down to the foxworthy bridlepath ) it looks very unridden/new and is really very nice!! its certainly going to keep me entertained in order to clean the descent!...
If it's the one I think you mean (between Harton Chest and the top of the Nutcracker) Then yes had a go Wednesday evening, and no I didnt clean it either 😐
TBH, If we are talking the same path then I'm not sure that it is a "new" trail or just been trampled out by ponies. I'm also dubious on the wisdom of cutting/riding new trails in those woods as there is plenty of fantastic legit. riding there and I could see how it could lead to conflict (you know the score- bloody mountain bikers tearing up the national park, ban em all blah, blah, etc, etc)
I am popping out there tomorrow evening. Will take a look as I have never seen/ridden that line before. Lustleigh cleave is so quiet I cant imagine the odd cheeky trail to be a problem tbh. Probably better that we are on cheeky trails than the nutcracker imo, in terms of erosion and 'walker frightening' at least.
Yes, it is a known trail, a couple of our lot clear it although there is a line down the gully that avoids the "nasty". It's an existing but unused path - one of many that pepper the Cleave.
Probably better that we are on cheeky trails than the nutcracker imo, in terms of erosion and 'walker frightening' at least.
Good point, Nutcracker is looking a bit "worn" nowadays, and you are right it is quiet around there. Still hardly ever see other riders although in recent years there is more "evidence" that we are there. Difficult one, it's my favourite place to ride and I would hate to see it ruined.
To the best of my knowledge all the "cheeky" stuff in the cleave is on well worn footpaths, unclassified bridle/drover ways. I think most people are aware of the sensitivity and precious attitudes taken by the Lustleigh parish Nazi's. IMO the ancient Oaklands are a no-go area tho.
@shinythings, yes looked at the gulley as an alternative line in to avoid the proper nasty before the rock slab....will check again next week..I would love to follow someone down the line and watch them clear the lot...it would take some balls/skill. Any chance of getting some footage next time you ride it?
@billyboulders, sounds like the same line you tried, the area is also my favourite riding playground and I wouldn't dream of 'cutting' new trails anywhere on the moor, but like anyone i think where you have been riding an area for years and all of a sudden you see a sheep track/pony track etc and it looks rideable I generally just can't help but follow my inquisitive nature and go on down it....3 times out of ten it'll end up with some really nice riding and if the entrance/exit is kept discreet and it doesn't attract much traffic then its ok by me..
I wasn't advocating dirt jump building or anything. But sheep tracks/pony paths and anything that looks like it has already had some natural use.
IMO the ancient Oaklands are a no-go area tho. +1
I think you'll find this trail was sufficiently pwned today...In reality its rather straight forward when youve decided which side of the rock you want to head...
I'm heading up to Lustleigh tomorrow or Tuesday, or both. It'll be my 3rd time up there an I'm yet to go there without getting lost.
Where is best to park? I've tried the free carpark at North Bovey and down at Bovey Tracey. I was thinking of parking near Reddaford Water and Yarner Woods tomorrow
...In reality its rather straight forward when you've decided which side of the rock you want to head...
The same could apply to white-water kayaking on Dartmoor in the winter, although whatever side of the rock I pedal/paddle there's a good chance of capsizing/going over the bars 😉
[i][thread hi-jack][/i] Si, are we bike bivvying or canoe bivvying next weekend? Only, I might have a dog with me so it's good to have some idea in advance. (I'll have at least one Canadian canoe in my possession on Saturday morning if that's any help in your decision making) [i][/thread hi-jack][/i]
"straight forward"!!are we on about the same trail? im not exactly adverse to a bit of descending or gnar but 4' rocky as hell drops that are almost vertical into no run out 90deg turn into another 4' drop 90deg turn repeat etc etc, i saw no evidence of any mtb action on it today or recently/at all which is why i thought it may be new?
if it is the same one then do you use the gulley as i cannot see how anyone could clean the line to the left of the gulley....if you do then hats off to you and i'd like to follow you down it to learn the line!!
edit rich if you need a second canadian canoe i have one you can borrow, although its a cough <whisper> coleman ramex!!!
@bucko i always park at cp past yarner wood turn off.
carlphillips
"straight forward"!!are we on about the same trail? im not exactly adverse to a bit of descending or gnar but 4' rocky as hell drops that are almost vertical into no run out 90deg turn into another 4' drop 90deg turn repeat etc etc, i saw no evidence of any mtb action on it today or recently/at all which is why i thought it may be new?
if it is the same one then do you use the gulley as i cannot see how anyone could clean the line to the left of the gulley....if you do then hats off to you and i'd like to follow you down it to learn the line!!
Yep same trail. As Si says its not 'that' difficult, we both rode it today anyway. The line in around the large rock is the key.
Now the cheeky footpath elsewhere in the cleave..... I'd need shinythings gnarrrr to clean 😉
Cheers Carl, car park near Yarner Woods it is then.
If anyone ever wants to join me the my email is in my profile.
Bucko
Carlphilips, It's that trail for sure, I'm freaked out by trying to sqeeze my 750 bars and fat arse past the overhang. As wookiee legs above said it's actually only as hard as your entry into it makes it. Oh, and turn left at the bottom not right, you'll see.
Stop taking the piss Dave, 'long as I'm happy 😛 and which one can't you clean? North bank or south.
Slugs,
Si was round earlier and judging by the long range weather, a trip over to Holwell woods is on the cards, so might have to dust off my boat.
mmm it would appear i need to mtfu and get it ridden then!
fair play to youse, the 1st drop looked nails..the rest was proper fun!
Going to have a play on it in the coming days maybe friday after work.
is anybody out playing on sat/sun..? kids away so i have free time..
haha that trail is ace ain't it Dave, and that il admitt to not being able to clean!!
Im hoping for Friday off and then yeah a ride over the weekend so drop us a mail if you want to join in some cleave shenanigans!!
Sluggers / Jim. Yeah canoe be good but not sure tides are in our favour to launch from Kingsbridge. Sat low is 16.20. We could probably just about get out from bowcombe though
is anybody out playing on sat/sun..?
i might be, but have stuff to do.
what you have planned ? cleave i'm hoping ?