Dartmoor Epic 2016, Day 2 Dartmoor Devon by MuddyGoose - July 29, 20160 With Day 1 complete and some 60 km ridden with around 1500m of climbing under our belts it was onto Day 2. There were plenty of new trails to be ridden on this 2nd day along a new route that would take us to a tried and tested camping ground just north of Ivybridge. 862
Dartmoor Epic 2016, Day 3 Dartmoor Devon by MuddyGoose - July 29, 20160 The final day, Day 3. This is the day when the more tired want a direct route back, or maybe even one that skirts around the edges of the hills. They don't so much care whether it's still off-road or not as long as the climbs aren't too technical. On the other hand, those with energy to spare and miles remaining in the legs quite fancy finishing off in style and not allowing the trek to fizzle out at the end. I won't say who was in which category, you can make your own guesses! 872
Dartmoor Epic 2016, Day 1 Dartmoor Devon by MuddyGoose - July 23, 20161 But we've done Dartmoor already! In fact it was only last year too! However, in several ways, I didn't feel like I had truly "done" Dartmoor, not fully, not done it justice and so I was eager to return. Add to that the fact that I was eager to bring more people along for the ride this time and going back to somewhere that I knew had perfect camping locations just made sense. 844
Quite a year on the road – My 2015 Cambridgeshire Rides Dartmoor East Anglia General Peak District by MuddyGoose - December 31, 20150 As with all years I like to start off with some aims; some challenges. Something to achieve and something to also look forward to. Back in January I considered myself a bit of a beginner on the road; I hadn't yet ridden 100 km in a single ride. So to sit here now thinking back over 2015 is pretty pleasing. 500
Dartmoor MTB Epic – Day 3 Dartmoor by MuddyGoose - August 4, 20150 Waking up on the third and final day confirmed what the forecast had predicted - Rain. Fortunately my bike-tarp setup and my bivi bag had combined to keep me completely dry and snug overnight. Of course now we had the need to pack up and ride back to the car and keeping dry from here on in was not going to be an option at all. 390
Dartmoor MTB Epic – Day 2 Dartmoor by MuddyGoose - July 24, 20151 I must say, it did seem to be very close to our camp but I also felt a little silly popping my head around the edge of the tarp and seeing nothing there. Maybe it's the way that sound travels up on the moors that makes the sound of the Dartmoor ponies braying in the morning seem so close. So I went back to sleep for a little longer, which gave the early morning mist a little more time to clear. 336
Dartmoor MTB Epic – Day 1 Dartmoor by MuddyGoose - July 13, 20151 Leaving behind your 'way out', the car that can take you home. Heading off into the moors, not knowing what the trails will be like, not knowing which will be ridable, which you'll have to push up and carry over and which will provide the long lasting buzz that doesn't die down for weeks. Not knowing exactly where you'll end up camping but knowing full well that you've got the kit, the drive and the ability to make it all work. That almost sums up the feeling as I pedal off on the first day of one of my 3 day bikecamping epics. 366
Preview: Dartmoor 3 Day Bikecamping MTB Trip on the Horizon Dartmoor by MuddyGoose - July 6, 20150 If you've read much of this blog then you'll have no doubt come across my write ups of last years trip. Last year's trip took my mate Malcolm and I up to the North York Moors, where we rode from Cropton (where we left the car) to Whitby on our first day, then from Whitby to Guisborough and finally back to the car at Cropton on the third and final day. The overnight camping being done 'wild', firstly on the coast just south of Whitby and then the second night up in Guisborough forest. 130