How to get there

M5 then A30 for Bodmin/Okehampton

Follow the signs for Okehampton until you hit a mini roundabout, take the last exit for Link Road, then a right at the bottom onto North Road. When you pass the Heinz Factory take the next left and follow the road, it takes you straight to Abbeyford woods. You can’t miss the car park but we would advise downloading a pdf area map from the Okehampton freeriders site (see link below).

What's There:
 

According to Tim from Moors cycles (see link) Oke itself has enough singletrack for a full days riding but we at ridingscared mock the thought of pedallng uphill so we headed straight for the Northshore area we’d seen so much of on the net. It's easy to find, go past the main car park for about half a mile and you’ll see a kissing gate on your left, theres a layby another 50 yds up where we left the mobility van and it was still there when we got back.

So what's it like:
 

Well the first thing that is very noticeable is just how well constructed it is. It's very solid and no big gaps between the slats to trap a hand or foot in when you inevitably bail. We started on the novice section, about a foot off the ground and a nice starter, just a few turns and a bit of  up and down with a ‘skinny’ to get your balance ready.

This takes you into some proper stuff (its all very flowy) with a teeter totter entry. Now this was my first time trying one of these but needs to be done... so first time I hit it real chicken slow and came to a grinding halt before it went flat. A few pedal strokes and a bit of arse clenching later and I was up! Achoice of 2 lines to follow so I naturally took the easier one, a bit of a drop into a small jump/ bump then back up and over another teeter (faster this time) then down a ramp and off. I have to admit that middle teeter was a bit wobbly first time due to not having been that high up before (maybe 6/7ft) but it was super enjoyable. Sessioned that again with more pace then had a crack at the harder line, same entry but up into a rollercoaster build with 2 steep entry and exit curves. Stalled the first few times due to chicken speed issues but nailed it the third time, just a matter of deathgripping the bars. This run takes you round the trees a bit at about 5ft up then another teeter to end. This one slams you off, I was shaking like a dog shitting after this run but went round straight away for another couple of runs and some photos.

We then hit up the ladder drop to wall ride, no issues with the drop because you can come up short and its no bigger than the middle ladder at Cwmcarn. The wallride (again a first) was a bit sketchy first few times, check out my scared face photo for proof! You then drop down the valley side on a combo of more drops, sharks teeth, teeters, a long log ride and a corkscrew on one of the lines. Plenty of different lines and maybe 90% do-able for anyone who can handle the ladders at Cwmcarn. Sections were sessioned over and over, I finally nailed the sharks teeth (thanks Tim for the tip) and Craig was hitting the steep drop/ramp. All in all it’s a great introduction to NS, very well built and signed and plenty for most abilities, it just gets harder as you pick up the pace. Theres also a tidy dirt table which Craig was sessioning and clearing with ease.

What Else:
 

We had the obligatory grub break then piled the bikes into the mobility machine, went back to the main car park and had a run on some of the downhills. We did the severe and moderate a few times, kind of enjoyable with a bit of a push up though the moderate is more like an XC single track descent to be honest. It's all rollable again but not too sure its worth the push back up - might be worth a 30 minure session to break up the NS during the day, but it's no DH track!

Worth the trip:
 

Have to say that this was a 220 mile round trip that I’d be happy to do every day, the guys have done a shit hot job on the NS and it was a fantastic session.

Local Facilities:
 

Obviously Moors Cycles in the arcade at Okehampton town is an obligatory stop. Tim the owner will give you all the latest trail news and maybe sell you some of the top notch kit he carries, and for those who ride clipped in you may want him to hook you up with some flatties if you are a NS virgin.

Theres the usual shops in the centre, no Starbucks though but we hit a place called Endecotts bakery on the way out and filled our boots with some class pasties.

Links:
 

Moors Cycles
OkehamptonFreeriders