Hi,
Dartmoor hasn't changed much and I don't want it to.
You only have to look at Exmoor to see how it can be ruined.........by farming before the national park status.
There are a few well beaten cycle trails / cycle ways on Dartmoor.
https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartm ... es/cycling
About five, I had to look, like I said keeping cyclist like visitors to designated arears is their way of policing.
But they cant be everywhere all the time, and I have yet to see a ranger on any legally cyclable route.
That does not mean they are not there mind you.
All the cycle off road recognised routes are on disused railways, please correct me.
Makes sense as a track already exits.
You will find cyclist on other routes like other tracks and bridleways, but mostly they are not connected to or going anywhere in particular.
I am not sure that there is a need to ban cyclist from open moorland..............why?......because its very hard work cyling off road off track or path or trail, in bad weather you would need to be machoistic! A bit like me
If you have ever cycled off road and then tried to go uphill you get the picture, its very energy sapping.
After you have explored the tracks even the forestry tracks, then the bridle paths where some have no sign on the ground to be seen, there are paths but not very suited for cyclist because they weave through peat and rocks and tall tough grass, seriously you can walk twice as fast backwards
And of course some parts of even tracks etc are to tough and steep and dangerous for anything other than a trail motorcycle.
Next the bike- not really necessary for suspension or x-cross tyres either, I have never ridden a suspension bike on Dartmoor, I don't own one! Well I have a few or two or more but none have got out the gate yet.
A rigid halfords mtb and my trusty Raleigh tourer.
I am not worried about access to the open moor as such, all that's needed is for some of those opposing allowing open moor cycling thing is to make some attempt to do it/or walk along side a fit cyclist having a go.
On principle cyclist should be allowed to cycle anywhere, you just need to specify that they need to be 500 metres from any tarmac road or out of sight of a road to mount up.
That way any serious cyclist won't really mind, and other users of the moor whether on foot or in car won't ever see you..............much.
If you have ever tried cycling downhill of soft (untrodden) short grass like moorland, you will find on two inch tyres that you may well have to keep pedaling otherwise you can come to a halt.
There's plenty of off road cyclable stuff not listed in the link above within the five official routes to keep everyone happy.
Do I cycle off road on Dartmoor on open moorland.................hardly ever if at all, and there is normally walking involved too.
The hills and terrain plus the slightest precipitation will crucify you