Ride

Teenage Cancer Trust

This challenging 1-day ride offers two route lengths, making it an achievable yet worthwhile challenge for all cycling abilities. Our challenge sweeps through Dartmoor National Park for over 60 miles (longest route) linking many villages and attractions along its length, including the ancient at , the picturesque spot where the East and West Dart Rivers join at Dartsmeet, and the eerie sight of Dartmoor Prison at .

The full route is definitely a challenge for more experienced riders. Crossing the moor towards Princetown, it needs stamina and a genuine lust for adventure as we take on the challenging hill climbs. In return you get to enjoy a variety of stunning panoramic views, some fantastic downhill free-wheeling, and an unforgettable sense of achievement! Detailed Itinerary

60 Mile Route The price includes experienced Discover Adventure leaders, vehicle support and We depart early morning from the small moorside town of , after a thorough briefing from the Discover Adventure Team. We climb sharply up and mechanical back-up. out of the town following the Bovey Valley, passing Dartmoor’s famous Becky There will be refuelling snacks and water Falls and on to the hamlet of Lettaford. We now feel more exposed as we see the en-route, and refreshments at the finish. moor spreading out before us for the first time. We descend a long straight to the It does not include personal travel small moor village of Postbridge, close to the ancient Clapper Bridge crossing the insurance, personal expenses. We . There are amenities in the car park if you feel the need for a strongly recommend you carry a credit short break. It is hard not to stop and take a photograph of this famous and card in case of personal emergency. photogenic landmark. After leaving Postbridge we climb to our next landmark at Two Bridges, and then Weather Even in the summer months the weather enjoy an undulating stretch passing through pretty villages and hamlets towards can be variable and change quickly. You the major town of . We leave Tavistock, avoiding the main ‘A’ road, should be prepared for heat, rain, strong heading south for 4 miles to . Here we prepare ourselves for a stiff winds and limited visibility. climb back onto the moor proper, to the village of Princetown, home to HM Dartmoor Prison, which even on the sunniest days looks bleak! The route starts

to look familiar as we approach Two Bridges once more; this time we leave the

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Detailed Itinerary (cont)

landmark heading southeast to . We are now on our final leg back to Bovey Tracey; local lanes with some steep gradients take us back to town, feeling pleased with our accomplishments. We arrive to a warm welcome and take time to celebrate with all our fellow riders.

21 Mile Route

We accompany the ‘60 mile riders’ out of the town, up the steep climb leaving Bovey Tracey behind us. We pass the site of Becky Falls, heading towards the historic village of . Close to Manaton Rocks (a site known to bouldering specialists) we part company with the 60 mile-ers. We are now on our own tour of this corner of Dartmoor! We climb to the site known as Hound Tor, said by some to have been the inspiration for Conan Doyle's book 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'! The whole of this area is famed for ghostly goings-on and is surrounded by mystery. We reach the highest part of the route at the aptly-named Top Tor, and take in the staggering views across the landscape. We descend into pretty valleys, along country lanes and through quaint villages back to Bovey Tracey. Congratulating ourselves on our achievements, we wait to welcome home our fellow participants.

Cycling Information Bikes Trip Support

The cycling is mainly undulating over Your trip will be led by experienced rolling countryside, with some notable Discover Adventure leaders. Our leaders climbs. Participants should make sure are selected for their experience, they are fit enough to manage the friendliness and approachability, sense of various distances in one day over this humour and ability to safely and effectively terrain. This is not a ride which any deal with any situation that arises. They cyclist should attempt without training. are also trained in expedition first-aid. You are in very safe hands with a Discover Our route is carefully planned to use Adventure leader. smaller roads with light traffic wherever possible, but sometimes this is The number of crew and support vehicles unavoidable. looking after you will depend on the final size of your group, but the team will be We strongly recommend that you ride a looking after every aspect of your trip road /racing bike (rather than a whether that’s making your lunch or mountain bike) for this trip due to the sorting out any mechanical problems. At distance involved on well-surfaced Discover Adventure we pride ourselves on roads. It’s really important that you ride our high leader: cyclist ratio and believe it the bike you have been training on so leads to greater trip enjoyment as well as you are used to it excellent trip safety. It is imperative that you supply your Support vehicles will be with the group at own helmet and wear it at all times all times. Our support vehicles will carry a while cycling, with straps done up. range of spares along with a full tool kit. However it is impossible for us to carry spares for every eventuality so it is vital that your bike is in good working order

before departure.

01722 718444 [email protected] www.discoveradventure.com