Devon TRF Group Forum

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Ivybridge parking

Tribey · Expert

Isn't the Ivybridge Railway Station car park free of charge?

Has a 1.9metre height limit if that's an issue.

John Leah · Clubman A

I couldn't locate that pin but I've been out to Redlake a few times (even once on a DT175 in the seventies when Land Rover-driving farmers, horse riders and walkers would smile and wave) but when I've cycled I've parked at the top of the lane past Cantrell (just to the west of Bittaford) where there was a small parking area just before the moorgate which is the start of the tramway and where the incline plane was. No idea if the carpark is still there and the StreetView car didn't make it to the end but there is a lay-by on the main road just before the turning.

Let us know how you get on (and how friendly the locals are as it's not strictly legal to ride) as I'm well overdue a return trip and plan one this year.

Cheers,
John

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

van is just over 2m so wont fit

sorry John I have no idea where cantrell is or the moorgate as i do not know the area at all.

copy and paste the Pin position into google and it works for me. cant seem to add a working link from the phone.

-- Edited by hampsterracing on Tuesday 8th of February 2022 02:47:15 PM

Tribey · Expert

Roger, 'Cantrell' is the old clay works, which is where you actually dropped your pin.

The 'Moorgate' is the gate opening onto the moor at the top of the lane that runs past the old Cantrell clay works. I'm not sure about the parking there.

I rode up the Puffin Billy recently and certainly needed my waterproof socks!

-- Edited by Tribey on Tuesday 8th of February 2022 03:56:19 PM

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Thanks Ray

Whats the puffin billy ?

Tribey · Expert

hampsterracing wrote:
Thanks Ray

Whats the puffin billy ?

Puffin Billy

John Leah · Clubman A

Roger, I was a bit slow replying but see that Ray answered the question well

Cheers,
John

Pete · Expert

I would park here on Cole lane where there is plenty of free on street parking less than a half mile from the edge of the moor

Just across Stowford bridge begins a bridleway which is part of the two moors way and takes you straight up to the track you want

youaintseenme · Clubman B

It used to be a bit lawless in this general area with vehicles left at the start of the tramway a bit of a target
And the park and ride was generally avoided because of the easy pickings .
Pete's suggestion looks a bit closer to civilisation though.

I have been pondering starting an e-mtb ride at Shipley Bridge ( below the Avon dam / reservoir) 50.45169210907149, -3.859037065164061 and doing a circular up to Redlake then south to Three Barrows on the tramway then single dotted lines over the moor SE to Ball Gate and back or possibly further down the tramway and Spurrell Cross to Owley Moor Gate or even the full tramway then back up to Spurrell Cross following discontinuous double dotted lines a bit to the east .......
Theres about 300m of tarmac that leads to a whitey that leads to bridleway to Ball Gate and back to Shipley Br using bridleway.

Bloody maps ............ time thieves I reckon (-;

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Thanks for the replys and info :)

I want to recce the area to see how suitable a loop to shipley bridge would be for elaine.

Sounds like we need to plan a ride in the area soon

Pete · Expert

youaintseenme wrote:
I have been pondering starting an e-mtb ride at Shipley Bridge ( below the Avon dam / reservoir) 50.45169210907149, -3.859037065164061 and doing a circular up to Redlake then south to Three Barrows on the tramway then single dotted lines over the moor SE to Ball Gate and back or possibly further down the tramway and Spurrell Cross to Owley Moor Gate or even the full tramway then back up to Spurrell Cross following discontinuous double dotted lines a bit to the east .......
Theres about 300m of tarmac that leads to a whitey that leads to bridleway to Ball Gate and back to Shipley Br using bridleway.

It is possible to ride from Shipley bridge up to the dam, but then it gets technical and stays that way until you reach the tramway. The other tramway is hard work as is the bridleway around the reservoir.

I like to loop up to the dam from Shipley bridge then go anti-clockwise around the reservoir. The ford at Huntingdon cross is non existant as is the bridleway on the south side of the river. There is a track on the north side as far as the clapper bridge. After crossing the bridge you can walk straight uphill, but not ride as it is too steep, or you can bear left and ride up the fold in the landscape which also brings you up to the marker stone where the two moors way leaves the tramway. Don't be tempted by the single dotted lines shown on the map. Walk-able but a lot of effort and not much fun on a bike across the tussocks. The descent from Spurrell's cross to Owley moor gate is fun, and it is not too far from there (but a lot more than 300m) to 202-441 (The gates on 202-434 are locked so carry on to 202-441) which takes you directly to Corringdon Ball gate. After turning right there the descent off the moor down the bridleway called Diamond lane is a cracker, but you may want to walk quite a lot of it. Martin Lampkin & co used the lane as a section in the national trials championship once upon a time.

There is a good ride-able loop east of the reservoir via Water Oak corner, down lambs Down, up past the farmstead to Skerraton gate, Moor cross, Gingaford cross, Downstow cross and 202-106, and C-139 is worth a look too.

If you want a local guide give David Bell a call, he lives near Moorhaven, but be warned he does enjoy riding off piste among the tussocks.

youaintseenme · Clubman B

Its a fantastic area Pete. I used to walk it as a youngester, so I am looking forward to revisiting on e-mtb .....
Although I have done the Puffin Billy route a few times in recent years, including a reasonably direct approach from Belstone (-;

I like the sound of your loops. Thank you for the info. 'Lampkin' lane sounds like it should definitely be checked out.

Pete · Expert

youaintseenme wrote:

I like the sound of your loops. Thank you for the info. 'Lampkin' lane sounds like it should definitely be checked out.

Not sure why it is called Diamond lane, could be because of the cross hatching cut into the rock steps to help provide grip

2019-03-09 14.11.32.jpg

It is all ride-able, just, but only if you are very skilled/brave/lucky

Tribey · Expert

Roger, I mentioned this thread to Dave Bell yesterday, he's happy to help with parking and route suggestions, but he is off on his travels shortly, so be quick.

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Tribey wrote:
Roger, I mentioned this thread to Dave Bell yesterday, he's happy to help with parking and route suggestions, but he is off on his travels shortly, so be quick.

Thanks Ray

Could you ping me his email please as i dont have a contact for Dave

russell11031967 · Devon's Best

As mentioned above Cole lane is probably the best place for Free and safe parking plus easy access to the Moor, if you could park at David Bells even better.