Cycling Weekly Dartmoor Demon

The Cycling Weekly Dartmoor Demon is a great way to kick off your Bank holiday weekend. Starting from Exeter racecourse with its stunning views across Haldon Forest and Dartmoor National Park.

There are 2 routes 95 miles and 55 miles. Straight from the start this event is beautiful! As you leave the venue you’ll head straight out into Haldon Forest and down to the river Teign. You’ll be able to soak up the awesome river views whilst your legs warm up before you climb slowly towards Moretonhampstead. This is the last bit of civilisation you’ll see for a while as you enter Dartmoor National Park. From here it’s just remote however you will have stunning views across the moors as you ride down quiet roads.

Once in the Moors there’s a number of interesting sights from the ancient bridge at Post Bridge to the Bleak and eerie HM Prison at Princetown. As you approach the far side of the National Park you head south for a short while and you can briefly welcome flatter terrain. Here the course splits and the Epic riders head out for a hillier loop. Once through the little town of Buckfastleigh prepare yourself for some serious climbing! The Epic loop weaves through and crosses the river Dart a couple of times then hits a 25% climb out of Poundsgate. It does level off again but only once you’ve hit an elevation of 1,500ft. With the toughest part of the course done the route re-joins the standard course and then encounters another couple of 20% climbs before the final climb back up through Haldon forest to the Racecourse.

All riders will receive a well-deserved medal! Post event refreshments and massages will also be waiting, as endless stories of finishing a tough stunning sportive are swapped.

Highlights – The remote, isolated and wilderness of the Moors.