Hi, Going riding (mtb) in the quantocks over easter. Based in Bridgwater. Any tips on locations and routes would be geatly appreciated. Thanks.
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 I went there today. Some cracking riding actually. I'm sure I missed out on some of it but Weacombe and Smith's Combe were great and I found some really nice other stuff. Singletrack issue seven has a long route with some bailout options which I believe was produced by Tim Flooks of TFTunedShox, who apparently loves Smith's Combe so much he wants his ashes scattered there. Presumably not next to the dead sheep. There are "Tulips" route marker thingys at their site for that route: http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=789I'm sure you can buy back issues online too. My own route was just made up from the OS map. Some photos: http://jonhall.fotopic.net/c145184_1.htmlI got sunburnt there today. In march!
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The Weacombe descent in particular, I should clarify, was utterly stunning.
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 Where is location of photo 'much steeper than it looks' and 'A Quantock combe'?
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Um. The "steeper than it looks" was the climb back up from Weacombe (to the north of the descent on the route map on P2 of the pics)
The other one was at the end of my "out and back" in the middle of the map. I was going to descend it (eastwards) and come round and up but it was there that my seat clamp broke. I didn't really know if the bodge was holding until I got back to the main ridge way.
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 hi i live near the quantocks and i ride DH - are there any large woodland areas with tracks, or potential for track construction?
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Thanks Jon, your info and pics are very helpfull
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 Mojo, theres a dh course or two at Triscombe, 15 mins from Taunton on the Williton Rd, it they run through a plantation nice and steep with a few jumps.
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 i think the triscombe DH course days may be numbered, they appear to be logging in that section when i rode past on sunday.
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and from now on through the summer i probably be riding the quantock a couple of times a week if any wants to share trails...i have a few hidden favorites.
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There's a note from the Forestry commission at the top of one of the dh runs saying that forestry operations are taking place there BUT they do not intend to destroy the trail, just maybe make some alterations where the trail crosses the fire roads.
Big thumbs up to the F.C. for being so open and cooperative.
So hopefully the course will live on!
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does sound pretty enlightened, when i lived in plymouth and rode/built courses in cam woods it was a running battle between us and the forestry commission
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 i'll be riding up from williton side, not looked at maps yet but what are the trails like in that area?
can't make much sense of the STW maps - haven't really had much of a look at them yet to be honest - but wondering if there area any routes for where I'll be coming from...
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Hello jeff,
I'm based in sunny Bridgwater and regularly ride on the Quantocks(lucky me).If you are looking for more routes and riding mates, make contact with the guys at The Bicycle Chain.
Cheers,
FLUP
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is there a contact no. for 'bicycle chain'?
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01278 423640. steve is the downhill guy and the shop short ass. Kirk is the chief mechanic and is also another short ass(no legs) xc wannabe
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Cheers flup, I'll give them a look next time I'm over.
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 Afternoon, all!
Now then, I'm a big fan of the Quantocks. I love the rocks, the roots, the water crossings, the tight, intense singletrack of Smith Combe and the endless splashes, jumps and whoops of Holford combe. In fact, there isn't anything I'd change about this hidden paradise of natural trails. Except maybe one.
I live in Oxford, and it's a 2 hour drive to get there, which means having to plan a trip in advance rather than just sling a leg uver the Spesh and trundle out, as those of you who live in Bridgwater can (lucky gits!).
My problem is that my main riding buddy is a bit of a JEYBOY when it comes to getting in a car to go for a ride, and having identified the Quantocks as an ideal training ground before any proposed alpine action this summer, I've still to motivate his lazy arse to get down there and experience the best open country trails in the south of England.
In short, can any of you give me a list of the best reasons why he should make time to visit?
At this rate my girlfriend (almost a non-cyclist) will have been and ridden there before he does!
I've tried and tried, but I guess that the more of us who badger him, the more likely he is to go.
Your help will be much appreciated.
Nick.
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 "a list of the best reasons why he should make time to visit?"
* The climbs
* The views from the top
* The descents
* Stella's tea gardens
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Thanks Mike.
I'll tell him you (and everyone else with eyes, a brain and an adrenal gland) say so!
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