[Closed] Wow, Dartmoor today was like a silky smooth bowling green at times - pics

looks lovely on the moor.

Ah, Rich has loaded his pics up 😳

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It was very steep hence me needing a bit of help getting my bike off me!

Aw! Mr Hill has changed his pink helmet 🙁

*waves at Si Hill*

Ah, Rich has loaded his pics up

I certainly have but Flickr was slow this evening and I've only got ten or so of them up so far. Great ride and nice dry, unspongey trails, unusual for Dartmoor. Shame about Shinythings's accident. Glad he missed my car though and the carpark at the end of the ride's not a bad place to come a cropper 😉 Hope you are OK Jim 🙂

You seem to have posted up my piccies for me, but here's a couple more.....

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Ah Rich - there are some good pics - i didnt think you were meant to be on your computer tonight 😮

i didnt think you were meant to be on your computer tonight

Nor did I but I'm taking advantage of a sudden, unexpected hour of free time gifted to me by way of something called the[i] 'Lark Rise to Candleford Phenomenon'[/i] 😉

Well im alive. Made a damn good effort to kill myself on the second loop. 40km in total. Need to be stronger....

Has anyone heard from Jim? Is he OK?

Had a text from Jim at about 6pm saying that he was thinking of going for an x ray, but not heard any more.

Shame to hear about Jim's accident. Equally devastating news is that the lower part of the Bowerman's Nose bridleway, below the gate, has been sanitised with hardcore everywhere, and all the rooty steps gone. 🙁

We were out from Yarner around to the Hound, Bowermans, Easdon, back via Black Death. Looks like you guys did Bowermans so you probably saw the 'damage' there! Looks like Easdon in the photos too. The singletrack there was almost too dry - very hard bumpy dried out mud, but the wet bit in the trees was as bad as ever. That section really needs a substantial diversion.

Oh yes, nearly forgot, Jim was blaming octopron brake pads for his car park incident 😕

Tim

I think one plan may have been to do Bowerman's, but our legs didn't want to carry on so we called it a day around 3pm. I think Simon may have continued, but yes, the guys did speak about that bridleway.

Yeah - Jim did speak dark words about checking to see if the pads were "Super* Comp**" but I will let the man speak for himself on this matter once he is back with us.

Si

My mate and I were out then - I think we may have seen you over by Haytor, by the spoil heep by the disused quarry? Howel Tor?

[url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=274975&y=77790&z=120&sv=274975,77790&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=827&ax=274975&ay=77790&lm=0 ]Map Linky[/url]

BTW they are taking down the chair along from Jayes Grave as its been refused planning permission 🙁

Jim has broken his arm and cannot ride a bike for up to six weeks 🙁

Yep, just heard the news from Jim too. 🙁

Healing vibes to shinythings.

Broken his arm! Dang, that's really bad news.

Just so people know, Rich and I went back with Jim to his house and to help consider if he should go to hospital. Although he was in a bit of pain when moving it in a certain way, I am surprised that he wasn't in a more obvious type of pain given that it was broken.

Rich - can you send a get well soon message, from me and everyone? The other thing is that Jim had thought about wearing elbow pads but decided against it. Maybe a lesson for people here in that the most innocuous of places to ride can result in something like this. I am deffo padding up for Wednesday!

Spam alert

Cheers for the consolations all (apart from that git Si, who's probably still taking the P**s!)
The brake is across the radial head which explains why I couldn't feel it by hand and why I felt a tad sore driving and this morning (not at all exacerbated by the radiographer asking me to "just lay your arm flat with palm up"....Yeah,right!) .

This should be a notable warning about the pads that dare not speak their name. Yes, that's the make that delaminated on my rear! I've not had a problem with them in 2 yrs because I was mindful of not letting the back plate corrode which seems to be the usual problem. But, you don't expect failure in barely used pads!! The one side that's left in the rear indicates hardly any wear.
Unfortunately the lever went straight to the bar just as I was heading towards the car and instinctively I grabbed a handful of front with no room to maneouvre... straight to the scene of an awkward landing!

Otherwise a brill day and a good Dartmoor Swansong for Herr Ralli.

they have been taking the chair down for about three years now.

they have been taking the chair down for about three years now.

I heard they had to re-apply for planning permission last year and were refused - the last permission was for 5 years?

BTW sorry to hear about his broken arm - hope it heals quickly 🙁

We're riding up around this way next weekend, quite interested to know where this "psycho" descent is around Grimspound? "A little too steep in places" sounds great 😀

(apart from that git Si, who's probably still taking the P**s!)

Ah Jim, to cheer you up I have uploaded this little video of you cleaning the canyon and showing Si (the otherone) how to do it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonralli/4434748411/in/photostream/

Delusional - I think Psycho is the Bridleway that goes west down of Hameldown Tor? maybe some can verify that. It is a fast descent with lots of drop offs and jumping off boulders, but even the chicken run bits proved too steep and twisty for me. I am sure someone of your talents though would love it, and then immediately after you have some very fast, dry, twisty singletrack to play on.

Healing vibes from the edge of the tox Jim.

IIRC, 'Psycho' i believe drops down to Grimspound from the top of Hameldown, as you head up Hameldown fork left to pass the memorial stone and continue to the left eventually heading south, you'll reach a large barrow, 'Broad Barrow' here you need to find the NW trail and head to the cairn/trig and continue NW down to Grimspound from there, it's at this trig, Si hucks off that rock as seen in the pics.

IMO. It's not too steep, just rapid and rather rough going if that's how you like it...

*misses the moor*

Cool - I havent been down the pyscho before - I'll do that the next time I'm up - cheers 🙂

i miss the 'moor too! really need a fix soon-do you know of any group rides?

Great, thanks for the directions. I think I've spotted it and will try and work it into our ride on Sunday 😀

I'm glad you've already heard of my talents Simon!

*misses sharki*

Riding 'Psycho' isn't actually allowed, for Rights of Way reasons, so of course any reference to riding down it must be purely imaginary 😉

Looks like a fun day out apart from the injury. 🙁

Im new to this forum and XC bikes but live just outside Plymouth and am hoping to get out on Dartmoor soon, hopefully next week once my Juicy 5's are fitted.

I'll make a post as i dont know anyone that rides XC so would like to go out with a group for a day, you chaps seen a friendly bunch! haha

Adam

Like riding the two moors way down to widdicome - tis a blast APARENTLY 😉

Yes Hameldown Ridge does look rather interesting *on the map* doesn't it?

Well I SAW someone ride it yesterday - it was lovely weather and HE was going rather fast with a big grin on his face whilst he blasted (carefully) past the kids practising for the Ten Tors 🙂 He said 'its soo lovely up here and dry trails are fantastic'. I said do you realise this is not bridleway.... 😉 I think he was riding an Orange Five which aparently was created for descents like that IIRC 😉

Well I of course did not ride it, either actually or theoretically so did nothing untoward 😀

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🙂 He sent me a link to his Garmin tracklog 😉

Si did not ride it either 'cos he took so much air at the top that his wheels never touched the ground! (and that family of ramblers at the bottom knew it was a cheeky trail 'cos they were very reluctant at returning our [i]good morning[/i] greetings)

BTW, more bad news about Jim. His brand new handlebars are ****ed as well 🙁

Cheeky trails in the winter are APARENTLY allowed - in the summer they are APARENTLY more difficult to ride because the rangers are out and about a bit more 😉 and there are more walkers 🙁

There's a notice board in Dartmoor that says "cyclists must keep to the paths"

Well it certainly appears to be a path and that's good enough for me.

If the tenant farmer says we can ride across Hameldown, that's good enough for me 😀
Grab the conditions while you can cos they don't really get better, apart from hotter.

Slight snag; A broken arm and the washing up don't mix!

Sharki, about time we saw you back on the moor.

Is it your fettlin arm Jimbob???

Tim im puttin an email together to complain about Bowermans. I see no point as once you a re through the gate all hell brakes loose as ever...

Also contacted RoW officer about it. Will send round anyone whose interested. Its shocking that there was no consultation and Easdon remains in such an inaccessible state

@ Si - what all the bowermans about? Missed that? Email in profile 🙂

Si - looks like an upgrade for vehicle access to a field adjacent to the gate. Go to [url= http://gis.devon.gov.uk/basedata/viewer.asp?DCCService=footpath ]gis.devon.gov.uk[/url] and zoom in - the track upgrade is already marked!

Which bit you looking at Tim? All I can see is the bridleway down to Hayne farm and A footpath across a field near the crossroads I've not seen before.From older maps the bottom of the BW has historicaly been an extension of the lane. So, if it has been regraded to regain access to the fields [could be a typical Devon problem whereby the lovely old barns,etc are bought and converted into posh houses, but of course, they don't want dirty farmers going past their new property to get to his fields! The farmers then need to find alternative access]then that is just our hard luck, but if it's been done for the benefit of horseriders, then that's something to complain about, because it's unnecessary destruction.

I reckon that we should all mail queries, etc anyway as this will, at least, ensure the authorities are aware that MTBers care and notice what goes on.

You can tell I'm borerd can't you 😯

Si, never mind my pain and discomfort eh!! just so long as Cycleguy is still operating, eh?? 🙄

Never mind your fettling arm Jim, with all that time on your hands and unlimited internet access, it would be a travesty if you've borked your thrapping arm.

And he's back... 😀

My sinecere condoloncies Jim, we are both ****ed with broken wrists it seems - still it's early enough in the season we wont miss out totally. can't wait for June.

And me broke my scaphoid on the 7th..

Yes, roll on about June! I miss riding already! Anyway, April and May are gonna have the worst weather ever!

TM, Thrapping arm? Ah, yes, The Master of Onanism.

Heal fast Jim, are you plastered?

Get well soon Jim - at least it's not as disfiguring as the Snowdonia hair injury 😯

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Went up to Houndtor this morning- was gorgeous. Just me, the sun, ponies, deer, and Led Zep.

Houndtor- 'How many more Times'
Black Hill - 'What is and what should Never Be'
Yarner Wood 'Moby Dick'
Houndtor Wood 'Immigrant Song'
Lustleigh Cleave 'Stairway to Heaven'

Ramble On indeed....

Does anyone else find Lustleigh Cleave a bit underwhelming? Ridden East to West it just seems a bit slow.. The trail above it however (Hunters Tour- Sharpitor) rocks

I love the run from Manaton up past the hobbit house and the wet arse ride down to the old bridge is just amazing....east to west has nice bits but really is just a way to get up top to Hunters and descend from there to nutcrackers trails.

take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, take bike to in laws, must ...

Just bloody move this way Martin, you can sell the cx then 😉

Looks like just a sling so as to keep some mobility in the joint. If there were any splinters, multiples, etc, they would have admitted me, so I presume its a clean break. Got Fracture clinic tmrw and hoping they'll tell me to stay as I am.
Tell you what tho, I wish I could sleep in any other position than angled on my back 😥

At least I caught the perfect conditions before this weeks weather change..... and while I'm here and bored lets have a Favelist of your best moor trail, it's clear which one Sharki likes!

Mine's not what you'd expect and most on here won't know it.

Right, here we go....this may well spark some interest in newbies to the moor.

Current fave loop: Vennford/Dartmeet/Babeny about 40k and a brilliant mix of tech, singletrack, open, rock and a superb fast DH to the car.

Current fave stand-alone trail: Black death into Plague.

Hello dartmoor fans.. firstly... sorry to hear about your accident Jim.. (funny as it sounded from here)... hope you get back on the bike soon..

Thanks for the Revs... I'm loving them to bits (not literally yet).. they are a vast improvement as I've only really ever had the joy of a budget fork before..

I'm jumping in on this forum cos my regular riding buddy has had his free time seriously curtailed due to increased work commitments this spring... so our exploration of the Devon coast and moorland has tailed off considerably and I'm getting a bit of cabin fever..

We haven't really gotten very far with Dartmoor at all and it would be really cool if I could tag along on any rides in the interest of learning a few more trails up there..

Im fond of Hound to Grimspound, back over Bowermans way to i dunno. Tim and the guys took me that way last year and it was fun and incredibly beautiful.. tad too hot a day but the Bluebells were fantastic.

Come June hope to do it again and explore more.. <looks for fast forward button> 🙂

Yunki, yeah they're a good fork, you'll need to play with Pos/Neg for a while to suit you. As for joining rides; just mail one of the usual suspects, there is always some sort of ride on every wknd.

Kamikirk, We sort of take that route for granted as it's on our doorstep and we use it as a trunk route to other areas. But it's still one of the alltime classics.

My fav at the mo is Haytor over to Howell tor along the Tram way - howell lawn to Hound Tor Jayes Grave - Hammelldown - Widdicome - back up to Bell Tor via bone hill then back across to howell down - hound tor greator rocks - up from leighon and down to the Haytor road via the coppices then down the pony field to the pump station and home to Bovey (my wife drops me off at Haytor or I ride up to Haytor via the Vale road) 🙂

[url=

is my favourite, [/url]don't get to do it much as it seems to have fallen out of favour with the crew but it has a bit of everything.

Mine varies but for ease of access from the front door riding last nights was pretty good.

Rode from Plymouth out to Burrator, up the widowmaker, right at the top past Nuns Cross and down to Ditsworthy, back to Burrator, groundhog day (the wrong way) plus some other cheeky stuff and then ride back home, about 30 miles.

Few others out and buzzed by a sea king after watching the crew perform a troop / rescue pick up just below Eylesbarrow not that far from where we'd sat to sort out light problems.

Vitifer eh! Forgotten the last time we did that. Reckon we've ridden up it more than down now Canyons into Golden triangle is in favour.

shinythings, could you contact me re some routes please. ? need smoe inspiration and some tweeking advice on my staple favourites.

yunki. there is a group of us from outskirts of plymuff that go out regularly, just email me

I always enjoy the Hound Tor traverse (Right, Right option. None of this left-turn uphill nonsense). Top half of Easdon is fun aswell.

Dave - That'll be the Hound Tor 'descent to the cattle grid' downhill nonsense then. Nowt wrong with that, but it's not a traverse! The right, left option doesn't go uphill (well only a little bit), it traverses - therefore the true Hound Tor 'traverse' HTH 🙂

Agree on the top half of Easdon. Plus a vote for Combe Down. But you can't beat Birch, Canyons then into the golden triangle.

But you can't beat Birch, Canyons then into the golden triangle.

I'm gonna go against the majority there and say that 'rib poppa' although shorter than Canyons etc is a better run down.

when your opinion is important we'll tell you. 😀
make sure you get to fire an AK while you're in 'nam!

Dave, Dave, Dave!! 🙄 Little things please little minds is it??

Canyons/Triangle was nearly my first choice and Yar/Bench was close but too cheeky. On a good day, Hameldown extra long and the shute is hard to beat.

Phillips, be glad to suggest extra bits, but a few here have Memory map routes they could mail to you.

shinyslings earlier today.....

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Del, forgot he was going there. He'll be coming back wearing a bandana and muttering "You weren't there man!" whilst wearing a 'genuine' Rolex. 😀

[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8573438.stm ]How close to this did you get?[/url]

Hmmmm! another Jays grave?

all memory map or tracklog routes gratefully recieved.

wtf is birch, canyons and golden triangle its not like the golden rivet on a ship is it? <shudders reliving horrid apprentice moment with my dirty old man>

Jim's asked me to post up an X-ray of his dismembered limb as he's finding it a bit hard to sit up in his bed at the moment let alone grapple with a keyboard. Shocking stuff! I'll be suprised if he'll ever be able to change a set of brake pads ever again 😉

Turn away now if you're in the slightest bit sqeamish...........
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Ah slugwash, I think I would need to know what a normal one looks like before going eugh at that one!

Just too much to name....

Smallacombe through to the Dell.
Nutcracker all the way to the gate
Bench Tor to the Dart
Easdon when its rollin good
Bowermans. Shame about the regrading, but the top section is still awesome

And Ive been havin lots of missed calls from the ROW Officer. But if anyone else wants to mail in to add some pressure please do so. Both Bowermans and Easdon are on my agenda....

Foxy Rider interestin....

Do you drop down the tight tech switchbacks at the back of Holwell Tor to the River, cross it then up Holwell lawn?

Holwell Lawn in itself from Greator Rocks is a great descent too.

Just a shame a can't find an easy way to get from the bottom of Holwell Lawn out towards the road at Top Tor before linkin back in to get to ride the Holwell Tor switchbacks too...

ooh never done bench tor to the dart...shame on me i used to rockclimb up there quite a bit too...gonna go have a looksie at the map see if i can make a circular route out of it..

oh and no routes have been pushed my way yet...hint hint!!

One for those in the know as the maps dont help 😉 .... Big day out if you add Belever in too.