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MENDIP TIMES
Riding the trails across Mendip
MOUNTAIN bike riding along trails is not every cyclist’s cup of tea. Many (including me) prefer the speed and relative safety of the road CYCLING along good surfaces, with EDMUND LODITE allowing longer distances to be travelled. Others are simply happy with the odd commute here and there, or to simply use cycling as a form of exercise. But if you want to escape from the traffic and get to see some of the best views that only walkers and hikers can reach then you’ll need to go off-road. Mountain bikes are the solution – designed to cope with the tough terrain they are a perfect way to explore and find adventure on a bike ride. Fortunately, we are lucky that the Mendip Hills are criss-crossed by bridleways and trails perfect for exploring on mountain bikes. Depending on the skill and ability level there is something for everyone, from easy paths like the Strawberry Line to forest trails and technical descents for the very experienced rider. The best routes are at the west end of the Mendip Hills. I like riding in Rowberrow Forest because the connecting paths are in good shape and the terrain isn’t too tricky for me. There are more demanding purpose-built trails (e.g. Vicious Valley, Yee Haw) for the more experienced and skilled riders. These are constructed and maintained in a sustainable way by Ride Mendips – a charity that aims to promote off-road biking across the Mendip Hills and surrounding areas. They also do a fantastic job in promoting a code of conduct for riders and play a pivotal part in managing the relationships with other users of the forest. For example, there are signage boards at the trails which indicate their difficulty and show the recommended routes back to the start – to try and keep other bridleways clear for walkers and horses. Riding a mountain bike on difficult terrain needs good bike handling skills. In some ways it’s a bit like skiing. The body needs to be loose, responsive and weight needs to be shifted according to the incline. It can feel counterintuitive but holding speed in tricky terrain is necessary to maintain momentum and balance. And, unlike a road bike you don’t stay in your
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seat all the time! Like learning any new skill, it takes time and practice to do well. At my age I’m happy to leave the likes of Vicious Valley to those who have successfully mastered the skill required! On leaving the forest, the open area on Black Down leading to Beacon Batch is a pleasure to ride. At the highest point on the Mendips there are far reaching views extending in all directions. There are several options from here but a worthwhile one is to head via Charterhouse towards Cheddar and take the bridleway around the top of the Gorge. The resulting view across the Gorge towards the Somerset Levels makes the effort all worthwhile. The National Trust hold an annual event (Covid permitting) called the Mendip
Murmuration that includes trails at the top of the Gorge which are not normally open to the public. It also picks up the trails in Rowberrow and Black Down and extends out to Crook Peak. This is an example of how far off-road cycling in Mendip has come in the last few years. Gone are the days when debates would take place over who caused most erosion – cyclists, horses or walkers. Now all groups work sensibly with each other and manage the landscape in a sustainable way with the Mendip Hills AONB. I don’t go off-road that often so when I did recently, I decided to upgrade and hire a decent mountain bike from Cheddar Bikes. Several hours later I’d worked hard, experienced some glorious riding and fantastic scenery – so it may not be that long before I am off-road again!
NOVEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ACROSS: 1. Potts-Jones 6. Asia 9. Grant Associates 10. Excisions 12. Dieselelectric 14. Elevator 15. Geneva 17. Lobate 19. Soy-sauce 21. Nitroglycerine 24. Take sides 25. Intro 26. Nine 27. Unintended. DOWN: 1. Page 2. Teatime 3. Satisfactions 4. Overlook 5. Excel 7. Scourge 11. Secret Service 13. Wellington 16. Moccasin 18. Betoken 20. Unnoted 22. Lydon 23. Lord
