looks like yettington is a fair way from there more towards the devon border i think? ive still not got around to trying the right fork at holman clavel but i will probably just stick to the herepath around that way as its a good 18 mile route with plenty of variety. will probably head to the quontocks tomarow though.
Bike Forum
Blackdown Hills near Taunton
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Posted 10 months ago #
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Yettington is woodbury Common, about 7 miles south east of Exeter.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I think I'll give the Mendips a go next, and I need to try the downhill that Mr Brightside mentioned on the Blackdowns down to Adcombe Woods. Quantocks this Tuesday for an after work evening session!
Posted 9 months ago # -
Been watching this thread with mild interest...
If you divide the Blackdown Hills AONB into four parts, I've just got back from surveying all the off-road tracks you can legally* ride a bike on in the NE, NW and SW quadrants (a colleague surveyed the SE quadrant where there's a denser cluster).
Generally, most of the trails within the AONB are wet/muddy at all but the driest times of the summer. You'd need a long dry spell for most tracks to dry out completely. And some are VERY badly overgrown where they never see any use.
There's some nicely interesting descents off the northern edge (places like Neroche, Staple Common, Staple Hill, Buckland Wood and Black Down Common). They're not overly long, and they're hard to make into a decent loop without miles of tarmac. They're not particularly steep, but they'll mostly have one or two nice sections in them. There's some man-made singletrack on FC land (built by the Taunton Freeriders) in Lime Ridge/Piddle Wood. The Herepath is a pleasant trail you can almost take the family on (it's flat-ish and well-surfaced in places) but it's obviously fairly linear.
Aside from the northern wooded edge, the rest of the trails within the AONB boundary are pretty forgettable. It's an intensely agricultural area (mainly dairy farms) and most of the 'other' bridleways are across farmland and/or through farmyards. Expect knee-deep slurry, angry dogs, a bazillion gates (some tied shut), bulls and some electric fences.
So, on the whole, I'd suggest the northern periphery is fine for a couple of hours' spin, or somewhere to take a newbie.
(* all the Bridleways, Byways, UCRs and 'Other Public Access').
Posted 9 months ago # -
i think most of that area is good riding if your local but i wouldnt bother puting the bike in the car to travel there the only reason i ride it as its on my doorstep. if your taking the bike in the car may as well go that bit further and head to the quantocks.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Good work Thurman. Thanks for the feedback. I'll head up there occasionally as my folks live in Blagdon Hill but other than that I'll stick to the Quantocks.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Hey guys, I run the trails at Orchard Portman, if you want any info get in touch with me over at pinkbike.com (username "almostwise")
Posted 9 months ago # -
I'm currently lodging in Horton/Broadway area for a few week and did the Herepath trail yesterday afternoon (not advisible with dual ply highrollers by the way, Doh!)and spotted the DH trails at Lime Ridge/Piddle Wood whilst going down through the woods on the trail.
I spotted a few emergency contact number boards and obvious signs of trail building. I stopped and had a nose and it was clear that the trails are under construction in the area. I was surprised to find some very well made wooden structures (nothing too big, that i saw anyway) including some nice bridges over the creek and roller type ramps leading into bomb holes etc. Nice looking berms everywhere, but it was wet. And hadn't been ridden for a while, obviously due to the work being done. It looks like this is being done by the Taunton Freeriders group.
looked good tho, bit of rubbish around tho, which spoilt the otherwise nice looking set of mini downhills.
Posted 8 months ago # -
The DH stuff at Orchard Portman is pretty impressive for that neck of the woods.
I sent off an e-mail today to Somerset County Council, The Forestry Commission, Architrail, The local Councils and Devon County Council asking for them to do a feasibility study into producing some trails, similar to those of Ashton Court, in the Blackdowns.
The Blackdowns are notoriously boggy and hold the water but I think there is scope there to put down an all weather surface and create something really nice, and a first for Somerset. I suggested the Neroche/Staple Hill area but would be happy with any decent trails up there.
There are some decent woods, and gradients which would be perfect for an all weather trail and we need something like that in Somerset. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything, not that it is very likely!!
Posted 7 months ago # -
Sounds good to me, be ace if something got done up there as I can ride there from my front door
Posted 7 months ago # -
@ DJ
Any news on the feasibility study??
Posted 3 months ago # -
Chippy - heard back from the Somerset County Council and they basically said that there is no money in the pot for this type of thing. A similar story from the FC and the guy in charge of the 1SW project. He really liked the idea but said they had allocated all the money for the project. He reckoned we should approach the landowners up there and get permission to build our own trails.
Posted 2 months ago #
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