Devon bikepacking/wild camp

[Keith]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and live in Exeter. I'm wondering whether anyone fancies a Dartmoor gravel/bikepack and camp this Winter - Jan/Feb? I missed out on the recent Bivy as have been visiting family in Scotland (without the bike!!)

I have a rough route starting in Exeter, over to Belstone, ride from there to Hangingstone Hill, then sleep. Second day head over to Fernworthy then ride back to Exeter via Nutcracker trails. Happy to give this a go or follow someone else's idea!

[BigdummySteve]

Hi Keith, I might be up for a ride. I’m currently sat in kings nympton ( nr South Molton) but normal residence is Oxfordshire. Not really ridden much in south Devon, hopefully it’s slightly less brutal than the north. Realistically I’d be looking at late February/ early March but I’m always keen for some new ground.

[Dave Barter]

Yes I am in for this

[lune ranger]

I’d probably be up for something like that late February early March same as BDS.
I’m Exeterish. I’ve used up a certain amount of good will withMrs Ranger recently so January is almost certainly out.
South Devon is on the whole quite like North Devon except the sea is on the other side

[Keith]

Excellent. I'll put something together on Komoot to share in the next couple of days. Can I propose 28-29 Feb? I'm fairly flexible as long as it's a weekend as I'm a Mon-Fri-er.

I'll be sleeping in a 2 man tent, but if the majority are bivying then I may be a bit more brave!

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'll be sleeping in a 2 man tent,

Don't tell them that - they'll be in with you.

[lune ranger]

I'll be sleeping in a 2 man tent,

Don't tell them that - they'll be in with you.

[lune ranger]

Keith - How do you propose riding from Belstone to Hangingstone Hill? Is there an unmarked trail accross the range? Goody if there is. I love a Dartmoor death march. Looks like squishy tussock territory to me and I can’t see on the OS how you do it directly.

[Keith]

Happy new year!

I've plotted out a route that takes in some interesting rural roads, gravel/mtb trails/possible mudbaths and then a nice spin up the Exe Valley trail to finish back in Exeter. If anyone wanted to just have an overnighter, they could meet in Belstone, ride out to Hangingstone Hill and then ride back. Or also ride up to Warren House Inn and head back. I'll be committing to the whole route.

Route:
https://www.komoot.com/tour/107325679?ref=wtd

If you have difficulties accessing the route through that link let me know and I can send a GPX.

If you have any suggestions on alternative routes please let me know!

For info, I'll be riding a Genesis Croix de Fer with 38c gravel (fairly slick) tyres. Not sure how it'll cope on some of the wooded sections as they could be a bit sloppy but sure it'll be a laugh.

How does the weekends of 29 February or 7 March look?

[Keith]

Keith - How do you propose riding from Belstone to Hangingstone Hill? Is there an unmarked trail accross the range? Goody if there is. I love a Dartmoor death march. Looks like squishy tussock territory to me and I can’t see on the OS how you do it directly.

There's a military road from the entrance to the moor on Belstone all the way to Hangingstone Hill. There will then be a bit of hike a bike over to the road near Warren House Inn, but other bits 'should' be rideable (but no promises!!)

Some pics so you know what I'm on about -

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Han ... 32!9m1!1b1

http://holidayindartmoor.co.uk/okehampt ... 36224.html

[lune ranger]

Thanks for that Keith.I know the military roads fairly well. I really meant how are you getting from Hangingstone over to the B3212.
Just had s look at your route. I’m not on Komoot so it was a little hard to see in detail but I get the idea. Quite a chunk of that is straight over the Fen - off the military roads and not on bridleways into the forest and same again to hit the road. Is that right? Sounds like you must have ridden it before though. That’s good going on slick 38’s
I usually prefer chunky 3” tyres on the the Fen bridleways.

[Keith]

Ah I get you now - honestly that's part of the route that I know less of - it could be hike a bike, it could be fine. I'll take another look again!

[Keith]

What it may be is a bit of rough stuff to the forrest, then gravel and roads up to the Warren House Inn before getting on the bridleway towards Grimspound.

[BigdummySteve]

Hi Keith, still up for this could you send a GPX to my username @gmail.com please.

[Dave Barter]

I'd be up for a night out on the 28th. I have to be back home late Saturday evening.

[lune ranger]

What it may be is a bit of rough stuff to the forrest, then gravel and roads up to the Warren House Inn before getting on the bridleway towards Grimspound.

What I suspect is that the ‘gap’ from Hangingstone to Fernworthy Woods will be tussocks/bog trotting on poorly defined trails. Proper. It’s not far however. I’ll have to let you chaps find out without me though as i’m on-call that weekend. Enjoy

[ZeroDarkBivi]

Interested; any suggestions for safe parking?

[BigdummySteve]

Would be nice to see you Craig, if others are thinking that the 28th would suit I’d need a little notice to get a day/ half day off. Assuming the rest of the Fargo doesn’t fall apart by then

[BigdummySteve]

And continuing the train of thought we could possibly make it into a two night affair, continue on to north Devon coast to coast and train back to Exeter? It would be brutal if the weather wasn’t playing nice

[Mbnut]

What time would you be setting of on the Friday? Seems a shame that it'll be ridden in the dark.

[BigdummySteve]

Are people still up for this? I’ve managed to keep the 28th free if clients so far, so can do a two night affair

[Dave Barter]

Still in my diary

[Dave Barter]

Heads up that me and Steve are riding out Friday night to Princetown for a bivy in Froggintor quarry after dinner in the pub.

I'm riding back to Brixham Saturday via Plymouth.

Weather looks sh1te

Anyone else coming?

[lune ranger]

Could even be as poor show as last time!
Have a good time. I’m working this weekend

[BigdummySteve]

Beautiful night on the south Devon coast, just had cracking fish and chips sat on the harbour. Really should be bivvying out tonight, still wouldn’t seem right riding when it’s not raining/snowing