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Hi,
It's that time of the year again to organize our pre winter MTB multi day trip.
This time we're considering the Exmoor and Quantock Hills areas.
Is 1 day on each location enough? Any other locations for day 3?
We like to do a bit of Bike park, trail centre (way marked) and 'backcountry' (guided or self navigation), any program suggestions ?
Guides, routes and accommodation (campervan) recommendations, appreciated.
Thank you
Ed & the Guernsey Syndicate 🙂
PS - group of 4 with good fitness/technical level
Exmoor from the top (trig point or beacon?) down to Porlock and then back is a good ride. I seem to remember the climb back from Porlock being brutal.
Quantocks is good too, but it was so long ago I can’t remember the routes.
I think there would be enough in either to make up a third day.
For guiding, I’d recommend getting in touch with Rob at Wildbike.co.uk they’re pretty local to the area and do guided tours across Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Quantocks.
I’m far from an expert but it could include Dartmoor too. But there is loads of riding so you don’t need to.
Stay in Porlock at Sparkhayes campsite, loads of riding, big loops or enduro style winch and plummet. Message me and if I'm around I'll happy show you the less ridden stuff.
I'd do one day Quantocks and two days Exmoor.
There was a ride in issue 146 for a Porlock route.
This guide could be a good place to start:
For guiding, I’d recommend getting in touch with Rob at Wildbike.co.uk they’re pretty local to the area and do guided tours across Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Quantocks.
This. They're based in Devon (Barnstaple I think) and Rob & Finn know the Exmoor, Dartmoor, Quantocks like the back of their hand. Excellent riding, quite brutal in places (especially Dartmoor) but awesome. I've been with them twice down there.
They'll do a private trip too if you wanted that.
I did Gawton, the track and Willy's earlier this summer. No back country but two park parks and one center (not sure how to categorise Gawton it's brilliant though. I you say Exmoor but you also say south west.
Quantocks definitely, probably the best natural MTB'ing in the south of England. You can do most of the named descents (Smithy's, Hodder's, Lady's Edge and Weacombe) in a day, depending on fitness (assuming non e-bikes) you will rack up 3,000ft+ of climbing. The ridgeway (Bicknoller Post to Wills Neck) is also good riding with great views and that takes you to Great Wood with loads of trails.
Exmoor around Exford/Dunkery Beacon/Withypool is very good, but bring your climbing legs! The hills are steep you can rack up a lot of climbing for not much mileage. On a short ride there recently we racked up 3000ft of climbing in a little over 15 miles.
Watch our for the weather as well, nowhere to hide on those hills if autumn storms arrive while you are there..
I'd suggest the following:
- a big day out on Exmoor from Horner or Porlock, taking in Hawkcombe Head, Dunkery and Horner Wood.
- a day out on the Quantocks taking in 5 or 6 of the natural trails on the northern end of the hills.
- a day riding the enduro stuff in Triscombe and Great Wood on the Quantocks
Some genuinely great riding in amongst that. Send me a PM and I'll put some routes together for you.
Jono.
Thank you All.
Dropoff - we'll be in touch closer to the time and thanks for campsite recommendation;
roger-mellie - got the book and found the Porlock route;
jonostevens - routes would be appreciated
Cheers
Ed
I’d also take a look at Burrowhayes Farm campsite, in Horner. Good facilities and great access to Dunkery trails.
Here are 3 routes round Exmoor, that you might find useful…
Route 1 we cheated an got a lift to the top of Dunkery Beacon to start.