3 September 2008
Last chance to catch the Freewheeler
There are only a few weeks left to enjoy the thrill of cycling down quiet country lanes and tracks from high Dartmoor to home using the popular Dartmoor Freewheeler bike bus service. The service which has been operating all summer is due to finish for the season on Sunday 28 September.
The Freewheeler offers a choice of four different routes operating on alternate weekends. Full colour leaflet packs, including route maps and directions are available from National Park Authority Information Centres or online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk. (click on Visiting/Enjoying Dartmoor/Cycling).
Jackie Ridley, Sustainable Tourism Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said:
‘The Dartmoor Freewheeler offers cyclists the opportunity to travel onto high Dartmoor by mini bus, with their bikes on our specially constructed trailer, and enjoy a mainly downhill ride home through lanes, woodland tracks and disused railway lines. There is a choice of pick up points and routes providing easy family cycling or more challenging off road experiences. We have received very positive feedback from cyclists using this service and if we continue to have high numbers of bookings we may be able to add some exciting new routes for next season.’
To book your place, please telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown on (01822) 890414. The service is very popular and early booking is advisable. There is a charge of £5.00 per person. Minimum wheel size for bikes is 20 inches. Unfortunately no tandems, trikes, tag-a-longs or recumbents can be accommodated.
The service operates four routes on a rota basis:
- 1st Sunday of each month -Saltram (on the edge of Plymouth) to Princetown
- 2nd Sunday of each month-Newton Abbot to Mardon Down (near Moretonhampstead)
- 3rd Sunday of each month-Plymouth to Okehampton
- 4th Sunday of each month-Buckfastleigh to Postbridge
Ends
For further information
Jackie Ridley, Sustainable Tourism Officer
Alison Kohler, Head of Rangers, Recreation and Tourism Service
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Notes for Editors
Although you can turn up at the collection point on the day, priority for using the Freewheeler service will be given to those booking in advance by telephoning the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, on (01822) 890414. The service is for cyclists only.
The minibus is operated by Wood Brothers of Buckfastleigh.
Where you can cycle
Routes where cyclists have a legal or permitted right to ride on Dartmoor include: public roads/highways; public bridleways, byways open to all traffic; cycle tracks and most Forestry Commission tracks.
Where you can’t cycle
Cyclists do not have a legal or permitted right to cycle on footpaths and open moorland – the only exception is where bridleways, byways and other permitted routes cross open moorland.
Off-road cycling
Dartmoor National Park Authority has produced Dartmoor for off-road Cyclists, a detailed weatherproof map, showing all legal and permitted cycle tracks, to help cyclists of all ages and abilities plan off-road cycling with confidence. Copies of the map are available from Dartmoor National Park Authority Information Centres, or visit the National Park Authority’s Online Shop
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .
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For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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This page last updated 3 September 2008
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Page updated 2 September 2008
