Letter from Exmoor: ……..the path I walk’s in the wrong direction……..

December 22, 2013December 22, 20131 Comment

Text and photos by Gary Scarlett

(first published Saturday, 21 December 2013, on his blog “Chunky Mamil“)

Went out on the road bike last week, the weather forecast was a bit dodgy but I wanted to get up the Toll road one last time before the year was out. You can break up the ride up into two really, the first half just past the toll house is nice and sheltered in the trees and I did my best time of the year. The second half is more exposed and if the wind is in the wrong direction it’s hard going, and it was. Once up and after catching my breath I went straight back down, battling across the moors in the wind didn’t appeal. Did a loop around some lanes and a sprint down the seafront, the wind in my favour this time.

This week I’ve been mainly mountain biking, wet,windy and freezing cold on the road bike didn’t appeal so I rode up some hills on the big green bike for a couple of days. Quite pleased with how I’ve progressed this year with my fitness. Eighteen mile mtb rides used to be a major expedition and take most of the day but now I just want to keep riding, what used to be two separate rides I’m now doing as one.

On Thursday I did a loop which took in some hard climbs, even trickier when its wet, muddy and still mulchy out on the trail. It’s a balancing act going up hill on the mtb, trying to keep your weight distributed, fighting to keep the front end down whilst the back wheel is slipping did get a bit annoying and led to some expletives. Whacked my shin slipping off, it smarted, didn’t cry though.

Lucky with the weather again though but it was cold on top of the hill before heading back to home. A herd of Exmoor ponies came and said hello though which was nice., went like this.

On Friday I went in the opposite direction but just went where the mood took me. I did consider keeping low and riding some lower paths but that doesn’t make sense so headed up then down Dunster Path to the red mud. Went this way to see how I fared on the fireroad slog up after riding yesterday, not my quickest but did it, nearly 6000ft of climbing in 36 miles, is that classed as hill repeats?

The Plough

December 8, 2013

Photographed by Will Bowden at the Exmoor Centre www.exmoorcentre.co.uk

Photographed by Will Bowden at the Exmoor Centre
http://www.exmoorcentre.co.uk

Letter from Exmoor: …some summer days I hide away and wait for rain to come……..

December 4, 2013December 4, 2013

Text and photos by Gary Scarlett who first published this post on his blog “Chunky Mamil” on 17 November 2013

Sundays off are a rare treat for me so I grabbed the opportunity to get up early and hit the hills on the mtb. I didn’t feel like it at first though, tired after going back on shift my and head felt clogged up with stupid thoughts, the first hill of the day felt like hard work even more than usual.

I persevered though, the weather was cold, still and grey my kind of weather, the cloud just sits on the hills and you can get lost in the mist. Went down some new tracks and up some tracks I usually go down you get the idea, even though the legs felt like lead I still rode up them.

There’s a little track someone has made out in the forest so I headed down that towards home. So quiet and peaceful in the trees not a sound even the squirrels must have been having a lie in. It was so quiet I wish I could capture the moment or portray it better, it was a good place to be……..

Canadian Canoeing on the River Barle

November 20, 2013

We think that this really looks like a lot of fun. If it’s something you would like to try out, then get in touch with Exmoor Adventures (special discounts for Exmoor Club members available)

The only way is up???

November 17, 2013

Photo by http://www.twitchen.co.uk

Photo Competition: 170 October entries

November 2, 2013November 8, 20131 Comment

Please vote for your favourite photo(s) – the top ten images will go through to the final!
PS The image with the most (combined) likes on Facebook, on the website and on Pinterest, will receive an #ExmoorClubCard as a prize, worth £25.00, valid for a year, providing access to hundreds of pounds worth of savings across Exmoor!

The October Winner

For more info about the Exmoor4all Photo Competition, please click here

News from the Exmoor National Park Authority

October 14, 2013

Half term fun for all the family

Wednesday 30 October will be the final chance this year to enjoy a BIG Adventure Day – taking place from 10am at Webbers Post, near Wheddon Cross, in Exmoor National Park. Hundreds of people have enjoyed the previous Big Adventure Days so far this year and more are planned for 2014.

National Park Ranger Adam Vasey says: “We’ve got a great selection of activities this year including the Family Orienteering course run by 1610, walks by National Trust Rangers and all the usual range of fun, family friendly games and activities.

“As a special treat, the lead artist on the Coleridge Way project, Christopher Jelley, will be talking about his QR Code Poetry and also the story boxes which were located along the trail this summer. The story boxes have now been retrieved and will be on display for you to read the stories which blossomed inside. The premise was simple, find the box, read the story so far, add a few words or a drawing but no more, then leave for the next walker.”

Anyone wishing to try out the QR Code poetry (square bar codes) should bring along a smart phone with an app for scanning bar codes to reveal the words. The words were written by the three local First Schools who journeyed along the trail and into the Somerset countryside. Christopher then rendered the poems into QR codes and reinstalled them along the Coleridge Way. The poetry on the Jubilee Hut at Webbers Post was written by Porlock St Dubricius School, though Dunster and Nether Stowey school poetry will also be available to view on the day. More about Christopher diverse projects can be seen on his web site www.storywalks.info

There is car parking and toilet facilities on site – for more information please contact the National Park Centre at Dulverton, phone 01398 323841.

A limited number of Tramper all-terrain mobility buggies will be available for hire at this event for free, but should be booked in advance. For more details contact Countryside Mobility on 01392 459222 or 07841 204397, info@countrysidemobility.org or visit www.countrysidemobility.org

Autumn Colour

Make the most of the Autumn colour on Tuesday 29 October at 10am and join a National Park Ranger for an Ode to Autumn, a circular walk with stunning views over ancient woodland. Meet at the National Park Centre (sea front) at the new Lynmouth Pavilion. Bring a snack and a hot drink for a walk of about 3hr/4.5 miles. Please wear walking boots and suitable clothing, dogs are welcome. For more information call the Centre on 01598 752509.