Getting Out Moor: Not just about racing!

Sharp Tor, above Dartmeet, Dartmoor.

Getting Out Moor is more than just competing and racing in various events [although I do enjoy that!]; it is also about, well, just getting out more! Get out and enjoy the local environment; Walk, cycle or run; on road, off road; amble, jog, go slow, go fast; go alone, go with a partner, go with the dog, go with friends, join a running/cycling/rambling club; go for a few hours, go all day, camp all week end; JUST GO!

Denham Woods, Tavy Valley

I am exceptionally lucky in that I live in the Bere Peninsula, sandwiched between the rivers Tavy and Tamar and only 7 miles from Dartmoor National Park. Countryside is on my door step. Maybe you have to go a short distance to get into the countryside- after all, one of the aims of the national parks was to provide access to the countryside for all. May be you can walk or cycle into the countryside. Bus, train or even car. Even in towns and cities there are parks,  nature trails, cycle tracks, often a river, occasionally a wood or forest nearby, sometimes a coast and the country is criss-crossed with footpaths. Fresh air lifts the soul and being outside is fun. It helps keep me relatively sane anyway.

There doesn't need to be a purpose, a plan or a route- although there is nothing wrong with planing a route. (anyone who has seen 127 Hours will know the importance of letting someone know where you are going!). Explore the streets, highways, byways, bridle-paths, cycle paths and footpaths of your local area. Buy a map or a city A-Z and off you go. Travel as light or heavy as you see fit. Take a packed lunch or money for lunch in a pub or cafe. Or take nothing at all! (in very remote places this policy isn't advisable-nature is beautiful but can be very unforgiving). Go on a round trip from home. Stay in a B&B. Go camping. We (wife, dog & I) recently took advantage of the lovely weather and stayed at this lovely campsite on south Cornish coast. Ideal. Never been there before, just packed up the car and went. Lovely week -end.

Highertown Farm Campsite

Stone Circle
Nr Hound Tor, Dartmoor

Whether your thing is nature, archaeology, history, geography, ancient buildings, sports, being active or just different and interesting  pubs- get out and explore! Find out what is out and about. You may be surprised at what you find about your local area.

Admittedly, we are spoilt for choice here in Devon as we pretty much have the lot. We have two coastlines and two moors: Exmoor & Dartmoor. On Dartmoor alone [apart from the natural beauty] there is ancient and industrial archaeology and history galore [worth a blog in it's right, coming soon!], trails for running, walking and cycling and excellent white water paddling.

Not only is there breathtaking and beautiful countryside in the UK- but there are also some rather splendid public houses to refresh oneself after an exhausting day. Locally, we are not just blessed with fine countryside, but there are many fine hostelries to choose from. Some of my favourites include   The Olde Plough , Peter Tavy Inn, Castle Inn , Royal Oak , Plume of Feathers , Who'd Have Thought It , and the Warren House Inn . Obviously, this not an exhaustive list of local pubs, just a few that have been visited over the past  years. They all serve good food and good beer- and all welcome well behaved dogs.

BATs at Olde Plough, post run

So, wherever you go, whatever you do, have fun, be safe and drink responsibly!

Georgie- The Story So Far

Georgie was welcomed into our household in August 2011- and she's been in charge ever since! Georgie is a retired racing greyhound and was taking retirement in her stride. She took to her bed and didn't want to get off!

We let her rest as we figured she had had a hard life so far. We fulfilled our end of the bargain; nice comfy bed, food, water, security and walks. Except she wasn't keen on walks. We tried, but she was having none of it. Georgie found the outside world to be a scary place. For many months we joked that Georgie was agoraphobic- but that wasn't far from the truth!  It became a standing joke in the village. We gave her time and space, yet persevered. Eventually,she began to enjoy her walks [mostly]. Every so often she would even go out willingly- and enjoy it. So I decided to take Georgie out running- and lo and behold she embraced it.

No one was more surprised than me. During the summer  of 2013 Georgie became my running partner. We don't go far, 5 miles tops usually ,but she did seem to enjoy it. She became a feature of the BATs away runs

 and several times a week we would go out- and aim to go out more. Georgie is, after all, a sprinter, and needs time to build up to be a middle distance runner!

We love Georgie for who she is and her 'odd' ways are rather endearing; but we really do believe she enjoys her runs on the moors. Thirsty as they may be!

Meavy Oak Fair & Burrator Horseshoe Run

 Meavy Oak Fair 

and the 

Burrator Horseshoe

For more years than most can remember, the small Devon Village of  Meavy has hosted the  Meavy Oak Fair. This is a traditional village fair held on the green, overlooked by both the pub and church- giving their separate blessings in equal measures. Now, holding a village fair on the green of a Dartmoor village, even approaching mid-summer, is a risky thing, and success or otherwise is at the hands of the weather. Saturday didn't so much dawn, but blew in with strong winds and that delightful horizontal rain so loved by local people. Should make for an interesting race !

By late morning though, the weather had broken and it was almost a perfect summer day. Well, it wasn't raining. That will have to do. Being keen I decided to cycle the 11km to Meavy as a warm up, which went without incident. Upon arrival at Meavy  I was informed by Dotty [far right] it was a BAT photo time. Phew,  just made it. Oddly though, Dotty wasn't running! Ten BAT's are good to go.I like the Burrator Horseshoe. It has hills[Tors], it has bogs, it has views and it has a river crossing. What more could you want from a 10km Dartmoor run? As we all got ready for our jaunt across the Moors, the pupils of Meavy school were finishing their opening pageant- and very well they did it too. And then we were off! 

Up, up, up and away. Literally.   Uphill starts are so much fun. Good job I was warmed up after my cycle. Up to Burrator, short reprieve on the leat and around Burrator, before the rather spectacular climb up the north face of  Sheepstor. Actually it's the West face, but you get what I mean. It is steep. There are however quite spectacular panoramic views of Dartmoor from the top. I had every intention of stopping to  admire the view and take photo's, but my competitive gene kicked in and I had to keep running. I did enjoy the views though, but they will just be stored in my organic grey matter  and not in digital format. Sorry! After Sheepstor, the race is almost easy. Across Yellowmead Down, through the bog at base of Gutter Tor, up Gutter Tor [a breeze after Sheepstor] for more great views, over Ringmoor Down where a brisk wind helped cool me down, before the descent into Meavy and the ford crossing.  BATs fly like the wind downhill. I felt good the whole race (maybe I wasn't trying hard enough?!) and was 4th BAT home after Rebecca Mingo, Sarah Burns & Laurence Sargeant. Full results show how well BATs finished. Congratulations to Adam Holland and Jo Meek who were 1st Male & Female home respectably. After a quick change into our new race t-shirts, it was time for beer, which is always welcome after exercise.

 A swift run, and a swift half, whilst enjoying the Oak Fair saw the rest of the afternoon pass quit quickly. The clown show was rather good we thought. A cheese & tomato baguette, crisps, nuts and two pints of Ale [Jail Ale , Meavy Oak Ale] satisfied all the major food groups for nutrient replenishment and re-hydration.

It was a splendid afternoon, with good weather, good company and a lovely rural affair.

There was then the small detail of cycling the 11km home and negotiating the 1:20 gradient Denham Bridge. Maybe the second pint wasn't such a good idea after all!

 

COMING TO YOUR SCREENS SOON

RACE REPORT ON BURRATOR HORSESHOE

There was a run...

....There were BATs...

There was beer....

There was even a clown...

Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon, 2013
A BATs Biased Race Report

 The day dawned and what an exciting & exhilarating, yet exhausting, day for all it turned out to be. Bere Alston Trekkers [BATs] had, I thought, only one entry into this years race- Rebecca Mingo. Injured last year, Rebecca had a point to prove this year and she made it in style. 2nd Women home. 10th Overall. Best placed female newcomer. 

In the absence of any other club runners [John Eatley also ran . but i didn't know this until the day!] I had promised Rebecca that I would be cycle support this year for her. Getting up early on a beautifully sunny June day, I think I was almost as nervous as Rebecca was. My day commenced with a 19km uphill cycle from Bere Alston up to Princetown where breakfast awaited at Fox Tor Cafe . After gorging myself on a hearty veggie fry up [courtesy of Paul Mingo] I was now fortified for the days main event- The Dartmoor Discovery . Now I ran this event last year, so I appreciate how tough it can be. This year  I was purely motivational support in form of cycle accompaniment.  I was expecting a strong showing from Rebecca- and I wasn't to be disappointed!

Proud finisher of 2012 DD

The first Dartmoor Discovery in 1998 and has since gone from strength to strength. It is the largest single lap ultra in the country and very well organised and supported. This is in no small part due to Roger Hayes of Teignbridge Trotters, race director, and as of Saturday, a runner of 100 marathons. Well done Roger. The sun was up, the crowds were ready and the runners psyched. Race On! 

Start 2013 DD

Rebecca made a cracking start- and maintained that pace for the remaining 32 miles. Any notions I had of a steady day in the saddle were soon squashed! Despite a stiff cool breeze, clear blue skies and sun prevailed. But it was the hills that were the real energy sapper. 32 miles over a course of Princetown- Two Bridges- Dartmeet- Asburton- Buckland- Widecombe- Postbridge-Princetown is a pretty demanding course and the pain increases with every step. Due to the good weather the crowds were out in force, especially at the top of the climbs, and the marshals were cheerful and in fine form as ever.  If the hills were taking their toll on the runners- they also hurt those cycling. I was never going to be cycling alongside runners all the way as that is against race rules- but I never expected to be overtaken going uphill by runners. But enough about me! By Widecombe I was glad of the short cut and had a well earned rest and a very civilised chat with a marshal. I was even offered a piece of cake [thank you marshal and his friend]. Due to Rebecca's blistering pace my rest was short lived and I had to eat my piece of Victoria Sponge quicker than I wanted to before jumping back on my bike and chasing after her. At this point, Rebecca was 3rd women and 11th overall, and still looking so strong.

What do you expect on Dartmoor roads!

3:35 marathon. Respectable in it'sown right

Final stretch

By marathon distance, an incredibly respectable 3hrs 35mins was recorded- only another 6 miles to go. C'mon Rebecca! Between Postbridge and Princetown Rebecca managed to close down and overtake the 3rd placed women, gaining 2nd women overall.   

It was now time for me to try to get to the finish before Rebecca - which I just about manged. A time of 4hrs 30mns. Spectacular - but there was also the equally important matter of cheering the other runners in. 

Not least our very own Dave Mullaney 5hrs 30mns [adopted runner from Selby] and a stunning P.B from John Eatley, 5hrs 59mns.

Now it was time for a celebratory pint of beer- or two- before the presentations. Oh, and then then the cycle home.....

 Full results here : Congratulations to Robin Tuddenham [1st overall] and Isobelo Wykes [8th overall, 1st Female]. But the only really important result(!) is Rebecca Mingo. Bere Alston Trekker. 2nd women. 10th Overall. Best Female Newcomer.

All that remains is to say a huge huge well done to all who ran, a big thank you and well done to teignbridgetrotters for organising such a brilliant event, to all the marshals [especially the one who gave me cake!] and the great support that all runners got around the course.

Maybe next year I will run it again ?!

Up&coming posts

COMING SOON!

• Race Report & photo's of Dartmoor Discovery Ultra 
  

• Georgie- The Story so far
  

• A brief history of Dartmoor
  

Should be panoramic view of
Dartmoor in background !

BATs Backs-
Cornwall & Bodmin Moor in distance

Back from a BATs club run- and yes there was cake! Dry and sunny, but Dartmoor hiding behind mist. Gentle 5.26km. Not many out tonight, but that left more cake for the rest of us.

It was a splendid short run (splendid because it was short?!), partially off road as you can see. 

But the big question of the night was how many pieces of cake can you eat for 457Kcal [amount my Endomondo said we burnt off]? It was a a fairly quite affair, as our head coach was on honeymoon and so there was no one there to shout 'heads up, shoulders back' at us all - but bless her, she still had time to make cake before she went.  

We even do birthdays!
Happy Birthday Pam, Mike, Lawrence,
Janice and all B.Day BATs