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Moving to north Devon and have the possibility of starting some sort of bike related bnb/bike related accommodation business- Trying to tie in surf/ hunting/ fishing/ hiking crowd where possible although mtb/ roadies are my primary concern (obvs).
So quick bit of market research - I know we’d all like to ride from the front door but weighing up ease of access- 20 minute drive to trails acceptable? Do you just want bunk house style accommodation or more? BnB? Supported riding? any other thoughts? Should I head further south and go for Dartmoor….or should I just keep teaching secondary school English? Not the primary source of income so it takes the pressure off a bit.
Where in North Devon? Not so much mtb near the surf beaches....
Just out of interest where are the decent trails in North Devon?
I grew up there but moved away befor emtb trails were a thing.
Dog friendly, cycle friendly accommodation may be of interest if in the right areas for us when we visit.
JB
Depends where in N Devon but if getting into biking, perhaps look at accommodation and supporting logistics for those doing Devon coast to coast. When I looked before, it seemed like a bit of a faff (going south to north)
Having ridden the Devon C2C I can't really see people wanting accommodation anywhere between Ilfracombe and, say, Great Torrington.
Yeah I was thinking more getting people / bikes / cars in the right place at the beginning/end than accommodation really
The thing that jumps out of your post OP is that you plan to appeal to the:
surf/ hunting/ fishing/ hiking crowd
That “crowd” is not a crowd I want any involvement in or with. Call me prejudiced, narrow minded, etc. But I find it abhorrent. Sorry to derail your thread, I’ll get off my soap box.
For MTB trails then it’s Exmoor or Dartmoor. The surf beaches are in the northwest corner and down the Atlantic coast, but you know that. Getting around that northwest corner is a traffic nightmare.
I think your point is well made and shooting is at odds with many people’s outlooks.
Sadly one of the reasons I entertained the idea of opening doors to them is the seasonal nature of the business; lots of the local estates run shoots during the winter months which will help support the business when everyone battens down the hatches.
Having said that if it runs the risk of a boycott then that in itself is worth considering.
Your idea of biking won’t be most people’s. Biddeford for the Tarka trail. Ride to the beach for a coffee. And back again. Flat. For surfing there’s Westward Ho and plenty of other better known beaches. Probably quite a bit of competition. My step sister has a new Air BnB in Northam and her husband used to run a surf school.
Location for biking will be critical. I wouldn't go somewhere FOR biking if it was a 20 min drive to go biking.
I'm often in Barnstaple to see my daughter, there's nothing round there. I take my fatbike and ride the beaches in winter but wouldn't do that in summer as its packed.
May be better for roady stuff but the roads are generally busy, narrow and bloody steep!
I guess I was thinking if I was clever for location there’d be something for the family to do while daddy dear goes and rides his bike- from experience in Wales you’d often have to drive to trailhead from bnb unless you were really lucky meticulous in your planning…
Having said that, North Devon isn’t written in stone- it’s likely my daughter will end up in school in Exeter so maybe Dartmoor is a better bet after all.
Definitely not bunks for me, I want to sleep; not end up murdering fellow guests as they faff around before bedtime or due to their inability to sleep quietly.
Also self-check in please (including for my bike) so I can arrive late after a long Friday night drive.
That “crowd” is not a crowd I want any involvement in or with. Call me prejudiced, narrow minded, etc. But I find it abhorrent. Sorry to derail your thread, I’ll get off my soap box.
From an animal welfare/cruelty point of view I don't really object but I don't understand people who get their jollies from killing things so I wouldn't want to mix with those that do.
If I was staying in paid for accommodation with the sole premise of cycling then yeah 20 minutes is too far for the main place to cycle. However, I’d stay in say Peebles to then drive to yair which is that far but that’s because there are other places closer for other days so it’s acceptable. Having said all that I wouldn’t be your clientele because I’ve never been to Devon for a cycling holiday which must mean there’s no sort of cycling there which would, for me, be worth going for. I also live in a place where the road cycling is already fairly phenomenal.
Bunks would work for a crowd of MTBers but North Devon isn’t really a destination for that.
I’ve holidayed there for years and thought about this a lot. There are some stunning loops which are gravel/ road but I’ve not found anything worth taking a mtb.
Bike friendly with lock up and pump etc, and maybe have a fleet of basic family bikes to hire out if there is a nice trail to a beach or something. Fit panniers with a picnic kit for people to use?
I've been to Croyde at least once a year for decades and not often seen bikes there, once saw a small group do a cheeky one at dusk on Baggy Point. The roads can be a nightmare and are narrow, it wouldn't be an obvious choice for me. Would your daughter be commuting to Exeter or boarding? Bit more research needed here.
Not sure it's the right place for a biking holiday. However aim it at walkers with dogs then that'll be a winner.
For fishing, lots of syndicates and privately owned estates. For a better picture of where's best for hunting/fishing head to Dulverton and the Lance Nicholson shop.
Around the surf areas it's pretty saturated with accommodation.
Having said that if it runs the risk of a boycott then that in itself is worth considering.
Presuming you don't put stag heads on the wall or allow butchering in the communal kitchen 'no hunters' seems a weird stipulation. I wouldn't exclude anyone.
Location - we've done a bit of road riding across Devon and Okehampton seems a good area for midway accommodation of this sort.
My parents lived near braunton , there was a nice loop out to woolacombe and also tons of riding near Snapper/ Codden hill.
When foot and mouth was happening I also really enjoyed riding the tiny lanes.
.. do not pass Go, do not collect £200.
Oh wait, wrong game..
Isn't there some excellent biking by the sea that wildbike do?
Looks like your sort of thing Golfchic
https://www.wildbike.co.uk/exmoor-enduro-style/
@bigblackshed are you a vegan then
Also interested in the answer to this.
FFS it's okay to object to killing animals for fun and not be a vegan.
On topic, I visited Swimbridge (6 miles ish from Barnstaple IIRC) a few years ago and found some quite decent quiet lanes for road biking. I got a couple of KOMs so clearly its a relatively undiscovered area 🙂 .
I love that but off north Devon north of Barnstable
But it’s really expensive
There isn’t really any mountain biking
It’s hard to get to at popular times
Exmoor has more biking and I assumed lower costs. It’s easier to get to. But it’s not as desirable as a holiday destination overall
Presumably it’s a matter of prioritising the biking or the best holiday area
Is it possible to do general interest cycling based round the surf beach honey pots.
Sunset fat bike rides
Ebike tours etc.
FYI I’m sure you know this but North Devon is along way from South Devon
Do you just want bunk house style accommodation or more? BnB?
TBH, given the prices people will be paying to go shooting, they won't be looking at either of these two options.
I don’t understand people who get their jollies from killing things so I wouldn’t want to mix with those that do.
I do quite a lot of bass fishing and occasionally keep one ......
TBH, given the prices people will be paying to go shooting, they won’t be looking at either of these two options.
True dat, they'd want a wing at least.
Ho, ho, ho
any other thoughts?
If North Devon near the coast I'd just do general holiday accommodation.
Clean once a week and do a bit of maintenance. Pocket the £££££s! 🙂
Why tie yourself into offering services that may not increase the profit margin.
@thegeneralist calling people a hypocrite for having morals is so tired. See also people who care about climate change "oh, got a car do you? Buy clothes do you? Hypocrite".
There are some fun trails near the sea around Braunton/ woolacombe etc but it’s quite limited, not really “destination” biking and a lot of it is not officially rideable which I suspect might affect your insurance if you are organising group rides. There are plenty of nice lanes and scenic roads / farmtrack bridleway which I can imagine you could offer loops as nice road/ gravel rides.
Funnily enough I’m mates with one of the MBUK guys ( through surfing) and he was chatting about trying to organise a mag photo trip with “ camp by the sea, surf then ride “ kinda deal but it’s hard to do it with a route you could publish.
The “good” riding is all on exmoor but is at least 30 minutes drive from the main tourist / surf beaches. Most of the best stuff is near porlock / minehead which is further still ( basically somerset) The wild bike thing posted above is all based around there and so is most of the DMR enduro event. Barnstaple is a good hour in the car or train from Exeter realistically despite it not being very many miles.
It’s a lovely area to live but it’s getting depressingly busy with all the people moving down/ working from home / living the dream. Property close to the beach is ££££ now. Exmoor is obviously much cheaper but quite middleofnowheresville
mentioned above. okehampton is centrally placed and relatively well priced at the moment. A30 gives easy access to exeter and easy access to most of north cornwall. north moors has a certain charm although not much legit riding. good hiking/running though and not too far to the better riding spots. if I was going to move in devon, then okehampton would probably be high on the list. I'd move the coast but i got priced out of that a long time ago.
rains a bit more than average. still not as much as tavistock though...
No, I am not a vegan.
Yes, I am a hypocrite.
I explained why I wouldn’t be interested in the OPs business strategy if it involved the hunting crowd, I didn’t bring the vegan debate to the table, because this isn’t a thread about veganism. Although ironically you are making it so. Everyone from the “I’ll eat anything” to the staunchest vegan will have a point, a line in the sand, that someone else can call hypocrite. It serves no purpose other than to win an argument on the internet.
Sorry OP.
It's basically not an MTB destination, so you better find out if it's a roadie one before you bet the house (geddit?) on this.
And people aren't gonna boycott a B&B that hosts people doing hunting.
@thegeneralist calling people a hypocrite for having morals is so tired.
+1
Comes across like a 14-year-old smartarse.
...and another STW thread goes off on one again. 🤦♂️
No, I am not a vegan.
Yes, I am a hypocrite.
I wasn't going to pick on you, I was just interested.
If you find hunting/shooting distasteful no amount of logic or morals will force you to accept it. I have no issue. Just interested.
OP you could do worse than Bovey Tracey. Excellent road riding, family cycle paths, close to Hay Tor, decent mtbing. Close to A38, already cycle cafe etc there. Near Exeter bike park, Haldon etc
Have lived in S Devon for over 20 years and travelled around the county to explore the riding during that time. North and East Devon and most of the South Hams are not great for variety and interesting MTB but the West and South West edges of Dartmoor have some great riding even in the middle of the very rainy months. Town-wise Bovey, Ashburton, Lustleigh, Moretonhampstead and possibly Chagford or Totnes would be best locations and there are loads of little villages around those towns if you are serious about accommodation for MTB and decent riding nearby as they are all close to the best legal trails on Dartmoor. Getting to Exeter from these is relatively quick.
Regarding Dartmoor, I haven't tried to ride there for years, but I seem to recall that the bridleway coverage is woeful so you may have the same insurance problems as mentioned above by ceepers ( if you're planning on guiding)
Just a thought, but if you're still looking at N Devon you could try dropping in at The Bike Shed on The Square in Barnstaple. It's a huge bike shop (actually two joined together), always very well stocked with bikes, and has been there for years. Also has a decent coffee shop. A chat with the staff there could give you a good heads-up on the local riding scene.
Bike shed is fairly roadie connected as is planet bike in Barnstaple. Would be worth talking to Rob at Propello coaching maybe too.
For local mtb knowledge I would suggest Southfork in Braunton. The shop guys are all hideously quick up and down hill and well connected with the local scene.
This is all North Devon
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B6QqPtXO4m0
One of the two guides is my mates son and works at Southfork. Those trails are tolerated but unofficial.
So school has been picked- North Devon it is - West Buckland, will be looking at properties within 30 minutes of there, might scrape the edge of Exmoor…
Standard Air bnb thing seems to make most sense. I’ll just Chuck some maps, pump and Allen keys in there somewhere I guess. If I can establish something worthwhile maybe it will develop more of a character…
because this isn’t a thread about veganism. Although ironically you are making it so
Sorry for the diversion, have asked the mods to delete the posts.
Cheers
Try not to be too sport specific? I think Dog friendly will attract a lot more people than it will put off. Then a decent amount of secure storage / dirty space with a drying room, possibly with attached en-suite and 'tradesman's entrance' away from the front door would appeal to a far broader spectrum of guests.
Good choice of school! My daughter has excelled there...
I'd scope their bus routes to help you narrow down an area ( unless she's boarding of course)
Sorry for the diversion, have asked the mods to delete the posts.
Cheers
You know you as a consumer have a right to choose where you spend your dosh, you told the OP your legitimate opinion, which he freely sought. There is nothing to be sorry for. All threads here get diverted in one way or another, its what makes it so interesting.
5plus
That wasn't me, that was someone else. 🙂
I was debating the rationale behind that, which was irrelevant to the original post, so after some constructive feedback from the floor I asked the mods to delete it.
As you say, the person who posted that view point was perfectly entitled to do so, and it was relevant to the OP.
Doh sorry eyesight...
So the move has been made, I’ve been down here September last year although we only managed to move in to a farmhouse on the Taw valley outside of Barnstaple this March ( the chain collapsed 3 times, twice at completion!) We’ve managed to get a summer Season done and it’s been a learning curve!
I’ve been out riding with the Southfork lot and The Bikeshed and I clearly need to find my climbing legs and dump a load of weight ( living in Cambs will do that to you)
Anyway you lot were right ( as is the way with the Oracle that is the Singletrackworld forum)
- some good road stuff out the door but little to be had on the mtb, forced me to buy a gravel bike courtesy of Soithfork chaps- cheers fellas.
Anyway have a search on google for Stairway to Devon
Have you tried Codden Hill and Snapper? <br />I used to ride out with some locals, I have no idea where we went but there always seemed to be loads of trails.
@ZippyKona- will investigate haven’t been very adventurous!
I don’t think the snapper stuff is still there. Lee woods is the new snapper……
Snapper singletrack trails were destroyed when they clear felled the timber in that valley about 5 years ago - it's just fireroads now.
If you're in the Taw Valley, Corden Hill is on your right as you enter Bishops Tawton heading towards Barnstaple.
Be aware that the tunnel under the A361 at Riverton has been closed for many months Here meaning a 2 mile detour if you're picking loops off of strava.
Good info, cheers! If there’s ever any planned rides I’d be grateful if I could tag along - not at the moment as have the dreaded Vid. But in the future I’d defo be up for it.
Just to chip in, thanks for the update as it's nice to see threads from start to finish. Hope your daughter is doing well at school - my background is one of moving schools only when the last one gets condemned so I can only imagine moving life/the whole family based around a school.
Nice part of the world. I've got an old friend who farms a few miles from where you've moved and we visit once or twice a year. It feels like a different work to where we live! The only problem is that it's only about 40 miles away from my house, as the crow flies across the channel, but it has sometimes taken over 5 hours to drive the 150ish miles. It really does feel like the back of beyond.
FYI I’m sure you know this but North Devon is along way from South Devon
Have lived in S Devon for over 20 years and travelled around the county to explore the riding during that time. North and East Devon and most of the South Hams are not great for variety and interesting MTB
Pretty much what I was going to say, and I don’t live near South Devon/South Hams. I have cycled around there, many years ago, in fact years before mountain bikes, staying in Beesands, and if you want lots of hills to give your cardio vascular system a bloody good workout, then fine, but the lanes are very narrow, ten foot hedges drop straight to five foot grass banks that drop straight down to tarmac, with sod-all room for vehicles to pass. When I went down there with a car, I used to turn off the Dartmouth-Kingsbridge road and wait a bit for another car or a bus or delivery truck to turn in and follow them, to force traffic from the other direction to give way; reversing back up a 1:6/1:4 hill with a blind corner behind isn’t a lot of fun. 🫤