So chuffed to be working in partnership with Sustainable South Brent on Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival summer cycling events programme. They do so much more than promote and facilitate cycling in their community. Click HERE for their promotion for the 3 DARTMOOR TOWNS CYCLE RIDE on Sunday 15 August 2021, and whilst you’re there, have a look at all their other initiatives and events!
People are loving the Bike Bus! It transports cycle riders in a minibus, and their bikes on a trailer, up onto parts of the higher moor of Dartmoor National Park (where really only expert or experienced cyclists ride to, because going ‘up’ really is uphill, many hills!). So the Bike Bus drops off the riders in the most scenic areas and the group cycles back to the starting point, mainly downhill. Fab!
On Saturday 31 July 2021 the Bike Bus is going to collect riders from Buckfastleigh and from South Brent, then take them up to Cadover Bridge, in the Plym Valley above Lee Moor.
So far the weather has been kind, and the thunderstorms haven’t interferred with some great cycling and days out.
Pick-ups: 9am in Buckfastleigh (Victoria Woodholme Car Park), or 9.40am in South Brent (Palstone Park). The Bike Bus transport and cycle ride is FREE!
It’s a group, social, bike ride and is not off-road or competitive. You do not need to be an expert cyclist and it will be led at an easy pace; however, you should have good level of fitness and stamina.
It’s approx. 10 miles from Cadover Bridge to Ivybridge, with a few hills. Participants may then opt to return on the Bike Bus from Ivybridge Station to be dropped off in either South Brent or Buckfastleigh, or cycle the additional 5 miles from Ivybridge via Glazebrook to return to South Brent, plus the further 5 miles via Harbourneford if returning by bike to Buckfastleigh.
As this page is being published, there are still a few places left, so be sure not to miss out! Book on Eventbrite.
If you have visited Dartmoor National Park in Devon, or just seen jaw-dropping pictures, you will probably agree that Dartmoor is one of the UK’s finest landscapes. It is an unique place rich in history, natural habitats, commanding tors and river valleys and a diversity of wildlife including many rare species. In short, it is AWESOME!
And exploring Dartmoor by bike is even more awesome! (as well as environmentally friendly)
Cycle South Dartmoor is proud to support the BIG BIKE REVIVAL’s first local cycle ride of the summer – a BIKE BUS RIDE that takes riders in a minibus and their bikes on a trailer from South Brent and Buckfastleigh onto the higher moor, for a group cycle ride starting from Combestone Tor (near Venford Resevoir) returning to Buckfastleigh and on to South Brent.
The ride will include stops at Holne Church, Holne Community Shop and Hembury Hill Fort for a picnic lunch and a short talk from former Natural History Museum’s Head of Entomology, Malcolm Scoble.
This social cycle ride is on Saturday 24 July 2021 from 9am-2pm and it is FREE to residents of TQ10 and TQ11. It is subsided by support and funding from national and local organisations, and delivered by Be Buckfastleigh in partnership with Sustainable South Brent.
Places are limited and to take part you must book, either on EVENTBRITE or by contacting Be Buckfastleigh direct.
The second in a series of BIG BIKE REVIVAL summer cycling events has been announced: LEARN HOW TO FIX & MAINTAIN YOUR BIKE. The Big Bike Revival is all about helping everyone and anyone to begin or return to cycling.
This is your chance to book one or more FREE sessions with an ace bicycle mechanic to learn the important fundamentals from the experts, and pick up useful skills. BOOK ON EVENTBRITE or drop in to Be Buckfastleigh at ‘The Living Room’, 55 Fore Street, Buckfastleigh, and ask them to book a place for you.
Be sure to book in advance to join any, or all, of these free, small group sessions being held at Victoria Park, Buckfastleigh from 10am-2pm. If you can, please bring a bike; preferably your own bike! : )
The Buckfastleigh event is for anyone living in TQ11 who would like to learn how to fix or maintain their bike, especially those who are not regular riders, or who might otherwise not be able to afford the cost of cycle repairs. The South Brent event is for anyone residing in TQ10 postcode area.
Come say hello and see what’s happening locally. Because part of the summer programme will be a series of group cycle rides every Saturday for the rest of July and throughout August – for people of all cycling abilities, and to join up the communities of Buckfastleigh and South Brent.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR BUCKFASTLEIGH EVENT. CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR SOUTH BRENT EVENT.
Cycle South Dartmoor is supporting the BIG BIKE REVIVAL because we as a project group want to make cycling accessible to everyone, to encourage people who don’t cycle to have a go and to encourage people to cycle more often. As our aim is to establish safe, accessible cycle paths for users of all ages and abilities, that connect Dartmoor and rural communities.
This FREE ‘Learn How to Fix & Maintain Your Bike’ workshop and other BIG BIKE REVIVAL events throughout the coming summer are possible through the funding and support from:
The project group has managed to raise the money needed to commission SUSTRANS to carry out a feasibility study for a proposed mixed-use path, enabling walkers and cyclists to travel safely between the centres of these three settlements. A key consideration of this route is to enable young people to cycle safely to and from school at South Devon Community College.
We raised £3550 by donations from:
£500 Buckfastleigh Town Council (Mayor’s Fund)
£500 Asbhurton & Buckfastleigh Hospital League of Friends
£2000 Dartmoor National Park Authority
£300 South Hams District Council
£250 South Brent Parish Council
We are very grateful to these donors for supporting this project.
The appraisal has been carried out and the final proposal should be available shortly – watch this space!
