Devon TRF Group Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Devon TRF Group Open Forum -> General Discussion Board -> Dartmoor firing ranges
Post Info TOPIC: Dartmoor firing ranges
Papabois


Novice

Status: Offline
Posts: 19
Date:
Dartmoor firing ranges
Permalink  

I'm new here, so please forgive me if this is common knowledge, or I'm broaching a taboo subject, but last year I rode up to the Okehampton firing range on a weekend and the tarmac turned into unpaved lane, which seemed to go on for miles. Wonderful I thought, just what I need. I went back yesterday and there was a new sign up that read something like no Unauthorised users Road traffic act blah blah. So what is the score here? can I call the army and become an 'authorised' user? I would consider that I have as much right to be there as any army wagon, after all this is a National park open to all, and yes I know access agreements etc. Do we have permission to ride these 'lanes' because they just about the perfect terrain for my bike, and I would prefer to ride here than some overgrown muddy swamp, as It gives a true sense of wilderness out on the North Moor. 



__________________
S.Batorijs
Tribey


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1451
Date:
Permalink  

Welcome, hopefully, as a paid up member, you will soon receive your 'Welcome pack' from this group. In the pack you will find information on how to obtain the details from group member John Leah, of the 1100 or so researched and legal unsurfaced roads on which to ride in the county.

There aren't that many lanes on Dartmoor where you can ride a motorcycle legally, unless you are in the Army or a Dartmoor Ranger!  
 
Unfortunately, just because it looks a good lane to ride, isn't the criteria, we all wish it was!


__________________

DGTRF Rights Of Way/Rights Of Roads Officer
Mike Wright


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 989
Date:
Permalink  

Welcome, I used to ride the ring road years ago and it was superb as it degraded over time. It was decided that they weren't going to spend anything repairing it so closed the loop.

To obtain a permit last time I asked you need to have stock on the moor or military. Those signs are the same as on any other road and they will prosecute you. The ranger regularly drives around and checks.

It's a shame as it was my favourite loop and amazing views.

Sadly there doesn't seem to be much appetite to reopen it even when we all complained.



__________________
Pete


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1048
Date:
Permalink  

If it is not recorded by the County Council as a Highway Maintainable at Public Expense on the List of Streeets held in the Land Charges office at County Hall you may not drive a motor vehicle, unless by permission of the landowner or for access to livestock. You can check for yourself online, but it far easier to obtain the Devon TRF overlay of the 1100 or so researched and legal unsurfaced roads on which to ride in the county.

There a a few unsurfaced roads on Dartmoor, with the emphasis on the few and believe me I have researched the area very thoroughly, but enough to make a good days riding around the edges. A couple of run reports to give you an idea.
devongtrf.activeboard.com/t38565842/round-dartmoor-2nd-oct/
devongtrf.activeboard.com/t49635519/round-dartmoor-clockwise-16th-june-2012-video-highlights/

If you want to ride the many wilderness tracks NOT on the list of streets I suggest an e-bike because pragmatically speaking even though Dartmoor National Park say e-bikes should only ride on the Byways and Bridleways the public are generally accepting of bicycles in contrast to the hostility for motorised two wheelers

__________________
Mike Wright


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 989
Date:
Permalink  

Quick summary copied from a website sums it up.


The Duchy make clear that any physical works to restrict access will be designed so that they do not prevent or discourage access by other means. There will still be vehicular access around the Loop Road for the MoD, the emergency services, and farmers and commoners with access rights. Further consent will also be granted on a case-by-case basis for organised events including Ten Tors, the Jubilee Challenge and Dartmoor Rescue Group training which will remain unaffected.

__________________
potus


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 534
Date:
Permalink  

I didn't even know there was a ring road, found this quite interesting....

www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/ring_road.htm

Might head out there next week on my mtb for a change.

__________________
Pete


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1048
Date:
Permalink  

potus wrote:

I didn't even know there was a ring road, found this quite interesting....

www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/ring_road.htm

Might head out there next week on my mtb for a change.

 Takes a while to read but worth the effort. Been on my to do list for a while 



__________________
youaintseenme


Clubman B

Status: Offline
Posts: 436
Date:
Permalink  

Its about 50% surface dressed and 50% graded and compacted hardcore
It would be easy enough to drive a regular car around if you could get it over the raised concrete barriers
Passing places were always a problem in latter days as more folk got to know about it and it could be a long and winding back up to find a passing place.
Modern car owners now need truck widths to navigate so I can imagine it becoming quite problematic for joe public to have full access.

Its useful to know the loop as theres a lot of unsurfaced tracks that lead too and from it and most of these are proper 'off road' in nature, so when the cloud comes down and your sat nav has died, the ring road is a welcome navigation reference.

__________________
Ming


Devon's Best

Status: Offline
Posts: 2421
Date:
Permalink  

So is it legal to ride an ebike around it, assuming there's no live firing going on?

__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
Mike Wright


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 989
Date:
Permalink  

Ming wrote:

So is it legal to ride an ebike around it, assuming there's no live firing going on?

 Yes not a problem, the box by the gate normally shows the ref flag and you cant miss the live firing flags. I was not happy when it closed for vehicular access after riding around it for about 30 years as it used to be a great place to chill, have a coffee and taker in the amazing views. I reckon it would be great fun on an e bike



__________________
markp2


Sportsman

Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Date:
Permalink  

I ride these roads on a MTB every few months. It is a great ride without anything too technical bar some lumpy tussock grass coming down from Steeperton Tor . Start and finish at Okehampton Station. Good lunch/pint spot at the pub in Belstone about 70% of the way round.
For route, see: www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/3442229545
The climb up to Yes Tor is well worth it for the views and super fast rattle back down the trail. The section from around Km17 to KM19 is quite off piste so do it on a day with good visibility.
Mark


__________________
Mark Pollard
potus


Clubman A

Status: Offline
Posts: 534
Date:
Permalink  

Just back from doing the Dartmoor loop on my 100% leg powered mtb, a tad windy but was fantastic.

Must admit, I didn't see the no push bikes sign on the route up to Yes tor - Wilhays  wink biggrin



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Devon TRF Group Open Forum -> General Discussion Board -> Dartmoor firing ranges


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard