I have a social commitment that weekend so will bow out on this trip. Looking forward to exploring this area later this year.

This was the route I had in mind: http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/bikep ... -quantock/

4 days?

Sorry been away, moving house and injury...

I am still keen to get out if someone else, more knowledgeable, organises a route

On a slightly earlier note, jBay and I are going out tomorrow night above Cheddar gorge.
Feel free to tag along.

Mariner wrote:4 days?

Two! 50ish miles a day.

Another option is to start at Taunton, do a day in Quantocks and ride to Exmoor for an over night stay. Then spend the day in Exmoor and finish in Minehead and to get on a train back. Will need to GPS roots, one for Quantocks and one for Exmoor, and a patch to connect the two.

KamelTrek wrote:

Mariner wrote:4 days?

Two! 50ish miles a day.

Another option is to start at Taunton, do a day in Quantocks and ride to Exmoor for an over night stay. Then spend the day in Exmoor and finish in Minehead and to get on a train back. Will need to GPS roots, one for Quantocks and one for Exmoor, and a patch to connect the two.

I was thinking something similar you could meet up late morning on the Saturday in Taunton ride 40 miles or so across the Quantocks and the up onto Exmoor, camp. Then bridge across to the bottom part of that route and back to Taunton on the Sunday?

The ride back into Taunton is on roads I try and avoid driving on.
However at Heathfield you could drop down onto NT 3 which should be quieter or below that again is West Deane Way footpath which will take you almost back to the station.
http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home ... king-route
I was hoping to reccy this yesterday but ran out of time. Its listed as a footpath but I seem to remember its more of a wide tow path
but not sure what happens out of town or if bikes are banned.

Ok, I can get to Taunton for 10:30am on the Saturday.

I could be in Taunton got 1030 Saturday....

Taylor - cold night above the gorge?

somersetpaul wrote: Taylor - cold night above the gorge?

Not as chilly as I was expecting.

Has anyone spec'd a route for the weekend??

Projected Met for Exmoor at the weekend.
Overcast 3º Sat 2º Sun feels like -6º both days.
Winds WNW 48/49mph gusting 65/67mph.
Good news is you wont need sunscreen.
Going to wimp out of this one and do some work on the bikes in the garage although might ride along to top of Quantocks and back on Saturday.
Where are you meeting and when?

Ditto with the bailing out.... a back injury has kept me offline for 2 weeks (and counting) and I don't want to risk anything longer term by pushing myself too hard too soon...

Shame though

I'm good to go April 16/17. Who's in?

Devon Dirt on 17 April.
'Most' people heading for Dartmoor.
http://www.devondirt.co.uk/

PS Am thinking about Braunton 150 but starting in Plymouth.
It adds 100 miles with Plymouth Braunton so start finish in Plymouth 350 miles total.
But it is only a thought at present.

Definitely up for a multi-day ride if the weather looks OK.

Mariner wrote:Devon Dirt on 17 April.
'Most' people heading for Dartmoor.
http://www.devondirt.co.uk/

PS Am thinking about Braunton 150 but starting in Plymouth.
It adds 100 miles with Plymouth Braunton so start finish in Plymouth 350 miles total.
But it is only a thought at present.

I would have loved to join if I wasn't limited to the weekend. Could I join part of the ride and do an overnight bivi on Saturday?

Just to avoid confusion.
I am doing Devon Dirt on 17 April.

The Braunton (350?) will be sometime in the future possibly May/June as contingency if I have to drop out of planned ride.
Aiming for four days so looking at ITT not group ride - unless I can keep up with you.

So a couple of mates and I are riding the quantocks in a couple of weeks and I need to know about the terrain. Will a plus size 29er rigid work or shall I take the 26 with 159 front suspension. How gnarly are dem hills?

Drliamski wrote:So a couple of mates and I are riding the quantocks in a couple of weeks and I need to know about the terrain. Will a plus size 29er rigid work or shall I take the 26 with 159 front suspension. How gnarly are dem hills?

As gnarly as you like it. There's something for everyone, from tarmac to DH tracks and local uplift service if you want it. If it were me and I wasn't bike packing I'd take a FS is you like that sort of thing

Alright well we are camping so taking bivi and minimal kit. Hopefully sub 5kg.

The route will be made up of Mbr Quantocks Killer Loop and Exmoor Route. Basically will I get away with rigid or is front suspension a necessity?

There was one descent you'd want suspension on for sure on the killer loop, though its short, so you could just hop off if you found it a bit on the gnarly side.

Anyone up for a bivvy?
I am thinking North Coast of Somerset or Devon.
Near a pub then bivvy on beach or overlooking sea in one of those remote valleys where a bit of stealth camping will go unnoticed.
Just a thought as its summer. Do your own thing to and from just meet at an agreed point.

Interested, when?