Mountain bike weekend, West Country Way, England

This trip offers a fabulous mixture of great biking along little known singletrack, classic trails and a sprinkling of minor road sections to give those legs a bit of a rest.

It all starts in Plymouth and ends after 160 miles of grin inducing riding through the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor and along the fabulous singletrack and winding trails of the Quantocks.

Taking in a diverse range of stunning trails and gorgeous scenery this coast to coast adventure is a journey of contrasts and biking challenges, and simply the best way to explore this part of the UK.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 - Saturday - Arrival into Plymouth
If arriving by car the meeting point for the tour is Taunton, from where we will transfer you to Plymouth. Cars will be left in Taunton, the finish point of the tour, making the return leg much easier. For those coming by train a free pick up service is available from Plymouth station. Meeting times will be arranged according the group needs, but approximately 3.00pm is a good time to aim for. Once booked into our accommodation the rest of the day is spent preparing our bikes and meeting to have an informal chat about the days ahead.

Day 2 - Sunday - Plymouth to Bellever - Distance 32 miles
After a hearty cyclist’s breakfast we finalise bike checks and the plans for the day before starting the ride. A day of contrasts as we leave Plymouth, soon reaching the dismantled railway along the Plym Valley Cycleway. A great introduction to our ride but the real stuff begins after Clearbrook as we tackle Eylesbarrow, a semi-technical climb before heading along our first singletrack through the Dartmoor National Park. Passing through Princetown we head for Bellever over the Crock of Gold along a combination of singletrack, rocks and teasing technical sections. After Laughter Hole it’s an easy forest track run to Bellever Youth Hostel and the completion of our first day – check those bikes!

Day 3 - Monday - Bellever to Chulmleigh - Distance 40 miles
Leaving Bellever behind we head for Chumleigh. A longer day but a less taxing ride than yesterday. Soon after leaving Bellever we tackle the climb over Challcombe down to Hookney Tor. The views from the top over East Dartmoor are well worth it - also not forgetting the great descent over Coombe Down on the other side! Following minor lanes we head for Chagford. The Teign Valley hots things up as we pass through this wonderful wooded technical section. More minor roads and tracks follow until we reach Chumleigh  - a thriving rural community with a simply delicious local restauraunt where we can reward ourselves for the day's riding.

Day 4 - Tuesday - Chulmleigh to Wheddon Cross - Distance 31 miles
A few climbs start the day until we reach a steady height of 210 metres on our way to the flanks of Exmoor. At Dane’s Brook a great wooded section greets us – true Exmoor riding. Testing and twisting it is guaranteed to thrill. More ‘cheeky’ climbs follow at Tarr Steps until we reach a more relaxing stroll along the Barle valley. Not long before we are back in the hills on our way to Knaplock.  This is moorland and sometimes muddy but the downhill reward soon follows folllowing Road Hill to Exford. We finish the day with some great views and a cracking descent off Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Exmoor at 1703 ft / 519 metres to our great B&B at Wheddon Cross.

Day 5 - Wednesday - Wheddon Cross to Dunster - Distance 31 miles
Today we head into a land of great technical riding along bridleways, green lanes and forested singletrack. We head for the idyllic village of Selworthy. The calm before the storm as we climb up to Selworthy Beacon. A place of superb views, from its 1012ft / 308 metres ‘summit’. Minehead awaits but not before the downhill run along the ‘manic mile’ with its switch-backing singletrack and views of the fabulous coastline. A few more forest trails through Wooton Common and finally the medieval village of Dunster appears.

Day 6 - Thursday - Dunster to Taunton - Distance 28 miles
A final day but don’t think we are going to let you rest on your laurels! Three big climbs greet us along the way but the fantastic riding along the Grabbist in the Brendons and the Quantocks is superb. The Quantocks is great biking country with its mile after mile of cross country riding and rewarding views. After all the hard work it’s downhill to Taunton - a fitting finale to the West Country Way. Reunited with our vehicles or transferred to the train station we bid farewell to each other.

Equipment
We provide everything except personal equipment, clothing and a bike (although you can hire bikes if required). Apart from your emergency tool kit & spare inner tube you will not be required to take any extra equipment. If you are planning to bring your own bike we strongly advise a well maintained / serviced mountain bike with a minimum of 24 gears and at least front suspension as well as tyres with an appropriate level of tread.

What the price doesn't include
(A) Bike & helmet hire (if required, £80).
(B) Personal clothing and equipment.
(C) Insurance (if required, £16).
(D) All evening meals.
(E) Transport to Taunton for the start of the tour.
(F) Parking at Taunton.
(G) Single room option.