Dartmoor, Exmoor, or Brecon Beacons?

[Asposium]

Now I’m living in Southampton Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the Brecon Beacons are within easy reach.

Of the three, which would people suggest for a weekend bikepacking adventure?

[lune ranger]

Don’t know anything about Brecon but I do live near Exeter and therefore know Exmoor and Dartmoor well.
Both have loads of bikepacking potential. If you haven’t visited (or even if you have) you may think that it’s all about mud plugging over open moorland. That’s really only part of the story. Both have some really great bits of ancient woodland tucked into the steep sided river valleys at the edges of the moors. Fast, hard trails, river crossings and single track are available as well as the inevitable bog trotting and heather wrestling.
Both could easily occupy you for many 1-2 or 3 nighter trips. When looking at Exmoor you should not ignore the Quantocks as an easily added extension.
As it happens I also have ridden a great off-road route from Southampton back to Exeter via the Ssndbanks/Poole Harbour ferry.
Look in the Playing Out section of the forum over the next few weeks. I plan to invite people for a Dartmoor weekender if you’re interested.

[Asposium]

Hi,

I’d be up for a Dartmoor weekender.

Riding the HT550 for the first two-weeks / three-weekends of may.

[Verena]

Brecon Beacons, but I'm biased.... plenty to keep you occupied for days, weeks, years....

[Bearlegged]

I'm sure Stu could suggest a nice 200km loop taking in the Beacons...

[Asposium]

I'm sure Stu could suggest a nice 200km loop taking in the Beacons...

I’m fairly sure our view of “nice” will differ.

[Bearlegged]

I look back on the experience fondly (having taken a few weeks (months?) to recuperate.

[Asposium]

I look back on the experience fondly (having taken a few weeks (months?) to recuperate.

Time does wonders.
The 2018 bb200 is now merely a haze.

It would be interesting to see a beacons route from stu, he does come up with some crackers; however, I might live to regret it.

[Dave Barter]

All of them will be ace. Let me and Luke know if you go for the Dartmoor option

[Wurz]

Go to Wales. Nothing to see in Devon.

[mattpage]

If you start in the beacons you can reach the Cambrian Mountains and those combined make a fantastic and wild area to explore.