Exmoor Explorer

camerauk

anyone done the Exmoor Explorer I am thinking of giving it a go this year I am over weight and not that fit so will give me some motivation to get out training and to lose a few pounds(lots I hope) and get fitter
I ride mostly at Haldon and can do the new ridge trail without collapsing and thats about 6 miles, a few questions
(a) how hard is the ride?
(b) will I have enough time to get fit?
(c) what is the best way to start off my training/fitness

cheers

chris_sw

camerauk wrote:

anyone done the Exmoor Explorer I am thinking of giving it a go this year I am over weight and not that fit so will give me some motivation to get out training and to lose a few pounds(lots I hope) and get fitter
I ride mostly at Haldon and can do the new ridge trail without collapsing and thats about 6 miles, a few questions
(a) how hard is the ride?
(b) will I have enough time to get fit?
(c) what is the best way to start off my training/fitness

cheers

I haven't actually done the ride myself, but I ride on Exmoor a fair bit and am also planning on doing it next year. I'm not exactly fit at the moment and I usually do 20 mile circuits in 3-4 hours.

There's 2 route options for the ride, a 25 mile route, and a 40 mile route. The course changes each year but there's a map of last years route on their website: www.exmoorexplorer.com .

To answer your questions:
(a) It's hard for me to say whether it would be difficult for you or not, but I'm sure the 40 mile ride would be a significant challenge for the majority of people and there's bound to be a lot of climbing involved (last year there was ~5000 feet for the 40 mile ride) which makes things much harder. The routes are set up so that you all start off on the same route and can choose part way through to take the 25 or 40 mile route.

(b) Well, the ride isn't until August so 7 months is plenty of time.

(c) Check out the health and fitness forum for some advise on that one, but the easiest way is to just get out on the bike and ride

camerauk

Cheers for that I am only looking to do the 25 mile one this year
will have a look at the fitness guide and last years route

camerauk

is anyone thinking of riding this year?

jonnyc2420

I might be up for it - just got to check work commitments nearer the time - i'm going for the tortoise option not the hare though........

chris_sw

camerauk wrote:

is anyone thinking of riding this year?

Oh btw, when I said next, year, i actually meant this year, keep forgetting it's 2010 already :oops:

camerauk

Lol yeah time flys by

robmccreedie

did the 35 miler last year.

I ride off-road for about 2 hours or so each weekend (Haldon or Woodbury) and do a couple of road rides during the week and i managed it ok. It took around 6 hours.

I would say though that Exmoor is not the ridge route at Haldon and you will need to be getting in some rides on Dartmoor that offer different, non trail centre, terrain and to get you used to some altitude.

That said you;ve got time to get fit for it and treat it as a good day out.

camerauk

cheers for info I am looking to do the shorter ride this year, and maybe the longer ride next
I do go out on Dartmoor a little bit done a few rides around Princetown back to Burator
although I dont know many routes that way so I am hoping to meet up with the YOGi guys and girls and go out for a few of there beginner Saturday rides which I think is the first sat in the month, I have booked off the one in feb and march so hope to go out on these to help with fitness and exploring the area

jwebber86

i did the 25 mile route last year was the first time iv done the explorer i found it quite hard but mainly due to all the climbing. apparently this was the hardest route they have done so far


i normally try and ride one long ride a week around exmoor 2-3 hours and 2 shorter rides upto an hour depends on work commitments. i will definitely be doing the ride again always plan to do the 35 mile route but wait and see on the day.