Dartmoor again (12th April 2012)

Well, I didn’t think I’d be back here so soon. After the JOGLE last year I didn’t expect to find myself on the Dartmoor hills again for a while, but the challenge has dragged me down to this next of the UK once again. However, unlike last summer’s blast across the centre, a had a date today with some other hills.

So, a 48 mile round trip from Bovey Tracey, taking in four great climbs, each different in character.

The first haul up into the moor was a long one, heading up to Haytor and some fantastic views over the moor to a series of Tors.

Then, having made the top, a short sharp descent brought me to Widecombe. I’d be back here later for the last climb, but I bashed on, climbing up and over again and then dropping down to Dartmeet. Again, I’d be returning this way to climb back up a fairly steep descent. The problem with heading over the moor to Tavistock is that I’d have to repeat all the climbs, but in ascent, on the way back.

The descent down to Tavistock was fantastic, though with a wind against me I could only reach 47mph, unlike the 69mph the Descender clocked last year!

Then, having turned around I set back up on Mount Tavy Road for the return journey. 

This was much quicker, with the wind behind and long gradual descents and short ascents through the middle section. A couple of mechanicals (spokes and mudguards) and then I arrived at Badger’s Holt at Dartmeet for the steep climb up and over towards Widecombe.

On through Widecombe and up and out of the valley – did Chris Boardman really do this in 4 minutes? Awesome......

As the sign suggests, I was a bit slower than Chris for a reason! (Honest....)

The descent down from Haytor was great, averaging 30 mph for at least three miles.

Back into the car and off to Sidmouth (managing to leave my waterbottle at the carpark!)

The final climb of the SW tour took me up a steep slope to the top of Salcombe Hill and the Norman Lockyear Observatory. Fitting that it finished with a bit of physics!

So into the car for a 360 mile drive home. The south of England ticked in a busy two weeks!

49.6 miles 2226m