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Downhill Mountain Bike Tracks


Tamar Valley - Downhill Mountain Biking from Tamar Valley.

Around 200 riders and visitors turned up to celebrate the opening of the brand new downhill mountain bike tracks in April 2009, completed as part of the ambitious Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project.   The incredible new tracks were opened at Maddacleave Woods by international freeride biking champion, Chris Smith, Councillor Neil Burden, Chairman of Tamar Valley AONB and the Mayor and Mayoress of West Devon, Councillor Terry Pearce and his wife June.

Three tracks have been built close to the Gawton Mine site: Super Tavi, Egypt and HSD (High Speed Descent).  The routes might have quirky, even slightly terrifying, names - but the thrill of speeding downhill over roots and rocks has growing appeal for mountain bikers from near and far.  

Previously, local mountain bikers had been inadvertently riding across fragile and historic habitats. Places like Devon Great Consols, one of the most important mining heritage sites in the valley, provide all-too-tempting ready-made trails for mountain bikers to ride.  The only problem is, in veering off the proper tracks, they can destroy much of the archaeology, flora and fauna on surrounding land and cause erosion problems on the contaminated waste tips. 

Want to see what all the fuss is about?  CLICK HERE to check out a fantastic video of the Downhill Tracks Open Day, by Aaron Bartlett from the Woodland Riders.

Keen to make sure that everyone in the valley could fulfill the way they want to use it, Tavistock Woodland Estate, the AONB and its partnership set about finding another spot for the dare-devils to get their natural highs, resulting in the new location.  Rather than just ban them from riding anywhere near these heritage spots, the AONB worked with Tavistock Woodlands Estate to find a low-impact location: a place to build some exemplar tracks where the eager riders wouldn't cause too much damage and devastation!  Plus through working together, the riders learned more about their original track site at Tavistock Woodlands near Devon Great Consols.

The new tracks drop up to 500 feet in less than a mile, which means that riders virtually fly down the courses; surging and sliding over the course contours, taking on vast jumps and curving round sharp bends.

The Tamar Valley AONB Unit has worked hard to make the whole project possible by garnering valuable support from partners, and obtaining the funding. Around £80,000 has been raised from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Natural England and South West Regional Development Agency, Devon County Council, and invaluable support from West Devon Borough Council in a vital administration role for the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project as a whole.

For the last three years, the AONB team has been liaising with landowners and local authorities, commissioning a track designer, overseeing construction, developing resources, and surveying the land, wildlife and environment.   The tracks are now managed by the Woodland Riders Downhill Mountain Bike Club.  The club has more than 120 adrenalin-seeking members and many of them have been personally involved in helping to shape and manage the tracks, plus the membership is growing weekly as word spreads about the new place to ride.

For those who want to try out the tracks for themselves, you must be a member of Woodland Riders, which can be obtained on a daily or annual basis.  An uplift service also runs, to take tired riders back to the top of the hill for another go!  For more information or membership, call Dartmoor Cycles on 01822 618178.