Anyone ridden Haldon Forest near Exeter?

Silversladey

I am trying to get some ifo on MTB in Haldon Forest Exeter will be in the area next week, does anybody no any good routes through the forest ?

camerauk

Have you looked at the Haldon Forest website it has maps of the routes on there
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/eng-hfp- ... trails.pdf
they are very easy to follow hope this helps

camerauk

ps the ridge trail is the best one to go on the others are more like family trails nice and easy riding

j_l

I haven’t been to Haldon for about 4 years, can you still get access to park / ride after hours, you used to be able to park in the grass triangle but I notice it's all been blocked off, with parking only in the main car park, I was hoping to go there after work tomorrow.

camerauk

Think you can get in to park until about 7 then still get out after but there is usually places to park outside in the evening

j_l

Thanks for info I am looking forward to the re visit, though I expect it has changed somewhat.

camerauk

yes it has changed a bit have a look at the trails on the link I posted further up this page
enjoy the ride

j_l

Had a go at the red route last night, it was really good fun in places but was a bit lame / tame most of the time, more of a fitness route than a challenge really.

Thought the old black run section was fun.


Question, as I was leaving there were loads of others just turning up with DH rigs ect, which got me thinking, are there other (unofficial) areas with more technical / DH stuff??

I know there used to be some stuff over the back that I tried before that was fun is it still there??

thanks

delaxm

We normally start a few miles away & ride up to the center doing a red/blue/red mix & then some of the hidden stuff back to the van - works out about 18 miles

mobilekat

Plus they are theoretically building a skills section..... but to my mind its a bit too close to the car park, and with the general behaviour of the dog owners and some less thoughtful cyclists I imagine chaos may ensue......
Having had a few near misses with 5 year old kids on cyces and loose dogs recently!
I am not convinced restuarant entrance is best place to let kids see how fast they can go- little dears nearly had my coffee!

Herbie The Dog

Haldon is steadily being strangled by the health and safety concious FC.

There are some unofficial trails but a DH bike is major overkill for even the trickiest of them.

For anyone above the beginner/intermediate tag Haldon is worth no more than 90 mins of OKish riding.

Although the trails drain well in crappy weather and if all you have is an hour or two there's fun to be had.

This bike is far too good

For someone like me who like it fast and not too technical, Haldon is great fun. It helps that it's on the way to (and from) work, so I often load the bike for a loop or two. Only six miles as well, so not too much hard work

j_l

Herbie The Dog wrote:

Haldon is steadily being strangled by the health and safety concious FC.

There are some unofficial trails but a DH bike is major overkill for even the trickiest of them.

For anyone above the beginner/intermediate tag Haldon is worth no more than 90 mins of OKish riding.

Although the trails drain well in crappy weather and if all you have is an hour or two there's fun to be had.

Kind of my thoughts about the place, I did the red route in about 50 mins and wasn't pushing it, I did the Black section twice as it was the most fun.

Its ok for a quick blast after work.

This bike is far too good

J L wrote:

Kind of my thoughts about the place, I did the red route in about 50 mins and wasn't pushing it, I did the Black section twice as it was the most fun.

Its ok for a quick blast after work.

Black section? Do you mean the steep bermy section at the bottom? Or is there some part of the route I've missed?

Not that I'm particularly fond of technical stuff, but that's probably because I'm pretty useless at it

Herbie The Dog

I presume JL does mean the recently re-opened berm section...black is quite generous...dark red more like.

I quite like the berm section...almost makes the fire road climb back up to the beginning worth a run.

Haldon could be awesome...but with the FC trying to please everyone from families to freeriders things have gone wrong.

This bike is far too good

Herbie The Dog wrote:

I presume JL does mean the recently re-opened berm section...black is quite generous...dark red more like.

I quite like the berm section...almost makes the fire road climb back up to the beginning worth a run.

Haldon could be awesome...but with the FC trying to please everyone from families to freeriders things have gone wrong.

I think I'm the only person it the world who like that fire road. Great views over Exeter, and height gained quickly and easily.

Herbie The Dog

I like the one from the top of the old freeride area up to the new bit that takes you to the road...it's the one from the bottom of the berms that I hate.

Was up there tonight...despite the rain the trails have drained well.

This bike is far too good

Woodbury was heavy going and/or slippy tonight. It was like a choice between quicksand or no traction. Considering the rain that has been coming down, it wasn't too bad, though, only had to drive through two instant lakes.

Just might pop to Haldon in the morning on the way to work, tend to get injured when it has been raining....

Eyon

I got a job interview down in Exeter in the coming weeks, thinking of taking my bike down there. How far are these trails from the airport and is it worth a ride?

This bike is far too good

Eyon wrote:

I got a job interview down in Exeter in the coming weeks, thinking of taking my bike down there. How far are these trails from the airport and is it worth a ride?

Woodbury is less than 5 miles away. Very easy going, apart from the gorse bushes!!!

Eyon

so is it worth it?

This bike is far too good

Now, that's a loaded question. It's not something I'd travel far to get to, but if you're here anyway and have time to spare, why not??? Dartmoor and Exmoor are relatively close, both great places for MTBing

Eyon

good point. I'll try squeeze the bike in the car!

This bike is far too good

Mind you, Haldon is only a further 10-15 miles away, and I think that's great fun (yes, better than Woodbury). Woodbury has a bit of a reputation of getting people lost, so make sure you do it after the interview!

Depends whether you want specific MTB trails (Haldon) or just amble around the countryside (Woodbury)

Eyon

certainly trails. Ideally a quick blast around them, maybe 15-20 miles, before a loooong drive home.

This bike is far too good

3 loops of Haldon will work wonders

mobilekat

One of the fun things with Haldon is the Moooving targets on the heathland section.

There is a herd of young bullocks who enjoy lurking on the trail and leaving you squelchy obstacles, I am convinced they plan the deposits on the best line.....

Had some fun the other night trying to improve my time through the last section of the red and then looping back along some blue to go again, only had a few near misses with trees/cows!

This bike is far too good

Met the obstacles, never the bullocks. Yet..... And those trees are far too tight, I'll bring a chainsaw next time

j_l

This bike is far too good wrote:

J L wrote:

Kind of my thoughts about the place, I did the red route in about 50 mins and wasn't pushing it, I did the Black section twice as it was the most fun.

Its ok for a quick blast after work.

Black section? Do you mean the steep bermy section at the bottom? Or is there some part of the route I've missed?

Not that I'm particularly fond of technical stuff, but that's probably because I'm pretty useless at it

yeah, sorry for missing this I do mean the bermy section, it is marked in black on the sign post but dark red would be a better description.

lol

Herbie The Dog

Eyon wrote:

certainly trails. Ideally a quick blast around them, maybe 15-20 miles, before a loooong drive home.

If you fancy a quick blast around either Woodbury or Haldon after your interview drop me a PM. Happy to show you around either. Although you could do Haldon without a guide as someone has mentioned above, Woodbury is a different kettle of fish so a little local knowledge is valuable.

mmmcheese

is there an easy way to ride to haldon from exeter? whats the best/easiest route?
also is a full face helmet overkill or needed?