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Press release – Camelford Ride Report:

 

Press release – Camelford Ride Report

The last competitive ride of this season for members of the South West Group of Endurance GB was the Camelford Ride - and what a ride it was.

Organiser Jan Kane provided a route that went out onto one of the remotest and most spectacular parts of Bodmin Moor, where only the local farmers and really serious walkers venture.

Two of the competitors in the 20 mile class were Janthea and Charles Newman from Cullompton .

“We usually go to the rides organised by the Wessex group,” said Janthea. “But this year we have come to as many south west rides as we could. With the M5 and the A30 it only took us just over an hour and a half to get here and where else would you get such beautiful country to ride over.”

A golden autumn day provided the ideal conditions for the ride and the last few dry weeks meant that the going was excellent over the springy turf of the moor. It was fortunate that the weather was good, as this ride goes right out onto the high moor where you can ride for hours with only the sheep and the buzzards for company.

Fortunately, the motorcycle members of the Cornwall branch of the TRF (Trail Riders Fellowship) had marked the route with their usual expertise, and only two out of the 60 plus competitors took unplanned ‘diversions’.

From the venue, the route climbed steeply up through narrow lanes and tracks to the moor at Harpur’s Downs. From here the riders turned south to ride across Treswallock Downs to Checkpoint Two by Bolatherick.

From here, to where I was sitting at Checkpoint Three on Davidstow Moor, is a long, long stretch of wild moorland that goes right across King Arthur’s Downs and Steping Hill towards Rough Tor. On the outward route, competitors kept to the eastern slopes of the Tor, skirting the boggy area above Rough Tor marsh and passing the end of the plantation, heading north acrodd Davidstow Moor.

From my position on the track near Moorhead, I could see them in the distance, cantering and trotting downhill past the dark shape of Lanlavery rock and then uphill to the road, where most of the crews were waiting with drinks for horses and riders.

The return route went along the western side of Rough Tor and Checkpoint Four near the carpark, giving the many visitors and walkers there a wonderful view of the horses and riders as they cantered past.

From here it was a shorter stretch, back past Logan Rock to Harpur’s Down and home.

Thanks must go to Jan Kane for all her hard work in organising the route, and all the stewards and volunteers whose hard work provided such a wonderful day to end this summer’s competitive endurance rides.


“Janthea Newman on Aden Silver Moonlight with her husband Charles on Semil Lady Victoria Plum, competing in the Camelford Ride on Bodmin Moor.
Photo by Kim Goostrey, mbaphotos.

Jane Holden

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