16 July 2008
Tyre out the kids in Dartmoor’s green gym
Cycling on Dartmoor can be great fun for all the family and a fantastic way to shape up for the summer holidays – and thanks to Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Freewheeler bike bus, you don’t even have to struggle to load the bikes onto your car. The Dartmoor Freewheeler bike bus runs until 28 September 2008, picking up from Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Buckfastleigh on alternate Sundays.
| Once you have been dropped off on Dartmoor with your bike, you can enjoy cycling on quiet country lanes, disused railway lines and dedicated cycle routes - and for the serious off-roaders more challenging sections and bridleways. More fun than a trip to the gym and something the whole family can enjoy together, experiencing a stunning variety of scenery as you gradually descend from high Dartmoor – and if all the fresh air and exercise gets too much, you can stop for a picnic, or have a cream tea or Sunday lunch en route. |  |
Alison Kohler, Head of Rangers, Recreation and Tourism Service, Dartmoor National Park Authority said:
‘If you use the Dartmoor Freewheeler this summer, you and your family will experience fantastic views of the Dartmoor landscape and get much closer to nature than if you travel by car. You will be taken up onto Dartmoor by mini bus, with your bikes on our specially built trailer, and then enjoy a mainly downhill cycle ride back home, reducing your impact on the National Park and having a great family day out – and all for £5 per person.’
Leaflet packs are available, containing maps and directions, from Dartmoor National Park Authority Information Centres and selected outlets in towns around Dartmoor. They can also be downloaded from Dartmoor National Park Authority’s web site www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk.
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. 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
On months where there is a 5th Sunday, an extra Saltram to Princetown route will run.
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 .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
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 16 July 2008
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Send comments, enquiries, etc. to communications@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Page updated 15 July 2008
