Local Scene - The Tamar Valley
Everywhere has its own riding scene, some places have really strong scenes with lots of people riding, building, races etc., and for other it's 3 good mates who do all the work...
I am lucky enough to live somewhere like the first one, the Tamar Valley down on the Devon/Cornwall border in the UK. We have Gawton, famous for being the host track for the Dirt 1:04, Tavi woodlands which is known widely as one of the best DH spots in England, Dartmoor for all those XC rides, a few nice sets of trails all within a 10 minute drive of the Hub of all this, the small town Tavistock. Enough about all this, I have been working on and off in between real jobs on a photo story about my local riding scene, some of the local riders, the racing , the place.
So sit back and have a gander through these photos and read the captions and get an idea of what it's like being a bike rider down in Tavistock...![photo]()
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That just about wraps this up then, a few photos I have taken in the last month or so down here, showing you a glimpse into what I personally think ( not that I'm bias ) is one of the biggest , best and most active riding scenes in the UK, and with a new full time MTB officer just been employed to keep riding in the area heading down the right track, ( pun intended ) it can only keep getting better...
Thanks Jacob Gibbins , follow me on twitter @ JacobGibbins , or find me on facebook, Jacob Gibbins Photography
I am lucky enough to live somewhere like the first one, the Tamar Valley down on the Devon/Cornwall border in the UK. We have Gawton, famous for being the host track for the Dirt 1:04, Tavi woodlands which is known widely as one of the best DH spots in England, Dartmoor for all those XC rides, a few nice sets of trails all within a 10 minute drive of the Hub of all this, the small town Tavistock. Enough about all this, I have been working on and off in between real jobs on a photo story about my local riding scene, some of the local riders, the racing , the place.
So sit back and have a gander through these photos and read the captions and get an idea of what it's like being a bike rider down in Tavistock...
This is the place, Tavi woodlands/Chipshop/Consoles, over the years it's had many names, and seen some great riders play about down here, both locals and pros.
This is local pinner and ex pro Ash Mullane riding out at woodlands, he's a mechanic by day, but in his spare time he lives all things 2 wheels.
The tracks down at woodlands all vary hugely, all around the 1 minute to 1:30 mark, but you have stuff from steep tech, to flat out rocky.
One of the many bigger jumps and drops we have down here to keep the huckers happy.
Racing down here is a big part of our local scene, we have a few race series a year, using about 6-7 different tracks.
One of the local guys, Chris Lamley riding in one of the races down the Dirt 1:04 track "super Tavi" out at Gawton.
This is another shot from a race, but this time on the faster, more mellow "HSD" track out at Gawton.
This is a great view from a rock that sticks out of the hill side at Gawton.
On the "HSD" track out at Gawton scrubbing over one of the many rollers and fly offs, this track's about as much fun as you can have on a bike in the UK.
Some more photos from "Super Tavi" this time on one of the top road gaps.
Fast and stylish, this is just a local pinner, but when you have all this on your door step it's not long before you get some good riders.
We get a fair amount of Pro riders coming down here thanks to the 1:04, and they all have good words to say about the tracks.
The one and only Gee Atherton riding in the local Gawton uplift that runs weekly, not 5 stars, but it's better than walking...
As most of you will know riding bikes isn't the safest thing you can do, and this is what happens when it goes tits up, you end up in the back of one of these...
It's not all just DH around here either, we have Dartmoor on the edge of the town with thousands of acres of wilderness prime for riding.
Quick XC ride one stormy afternoon.
XC doesn't always have to be boring, and with a bit of imagination you can link up some great loops.
Some of the more XC style sections out at Gawton.
Half face lid on, short travel bike, you have at least a few days riding here, that's before you even start exploring.
Another shot from Woodlands, this time the big feature "The Corkscrew" - a big natural, steep berm to berm.
One of the many local up and coming racers who ride down here, this is Charlie Ross , look up any races held in the SW of England in the past few years in Juvi and youth, you will see his name high up the ranks.
And here he is on the bike, at warp speed.
As well as all the racing going on round here, you can go down to the woods any weekend and find people who just love riding, this is Joe, he loves hitting trees more than riding.
Cold misty winter mornings, about -3 outside, ice on the tracks, but still people out riding.
Local Guy/Farmer man Steege, lives on the edge of the woods, and it shows.
The woods are always a very social thing, you may do some riding, but it's the chatting and sitting about doing f*ck all, talking about bikes that you really go for! Ha ha!
This is the last shot in this photo Essay, A nice shot taken high above Burrator , AA great spot for XC rides, loads of loops, great views, and the odd passing fighter jet...
That just about wraps this up then, a few photos I have taken in the last month or so down here, showing you a glimpse into what I personally think ( not that I'm bias ) is one of the biggest , best and most active riding scenes in the UK, and with a new full time MTB officer just been employed to keep riding in the area heading down the right track, ( pun intended ) it can only keep getting better...
Thanks Jacob Gibbins , follow me on twitter @ JacobGibbins , or find me on facebook, Jacob Gibbins Photography
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21 Comments
- 12 0
duncanp
(Dec 8, 2010 at 6:05)
sweet pictures man. Does look like one hell of a local scene.
- 1 0
OllyJ
(Dec 8, 2010 at 6:55)
Can't wait till I can drive and get down there more!
- 1 0
rydindirty
(Dec 9, 2010 at 9:50)
super cool write up..the pics are amazing...not like I will ever get over there with my bike so it's really nice to see , keep it up.
- 1 0
nouser
(Dec 9, 2010 at 21:01)
sweet place to ride,
good to be so close to tavistock when at uni, even if i can only visit it a few times a term
- 1 0
matt-bike-baha
(Dec 13, 2010 at 15:08)
sweet my brother is at Plymouth uni, i payed him a little visit and i rode gawton, might have to get back down there soon, looks ace!
- 2 0
ianbuts
(Dec 9, 2010 at 14:18)
a superb photo essay , and a great choice of photos ,made me want to put aside every thing and get out and ride some of that dartmoor .
- 2 0
whitetux
(Dec 8, 2010 at 7:41)
looks like i may have to make an extended stay next time i head down south to check out these tracks
- 2 0
yetiboyjay
(Dec 9, 2010 at 9:43)
Nice one Milky! Some good pics. You forget what you have when it's on your doorstep!
- 2 0
wangamachang
(Dec 9, 2010 at 21:08)
jacob gibbins, i hope you never stop taking mountain bike pictures and videos.
- 2 0
DanWhite
(Dec 8, 2010 at 14:14)
nice photos man and some good captions 
- 1 0
SpyderRTD
(Dec 9, 2010 at 17:16)
awesome photo-story bud, you did a great job of giving the viewer a feel of your local scene. thanks for sharing!
- 2 0
sorbet
(Dec 9, 2010 at 0:11)
Fuckin awesome!
- 1 0
Mountainbike1
(Dec 9, 2010 at 4:01)
Looks really sweet- cool photos- cool place, must get down there :-)
- 1 0
Worm-Burner
(Dec 9, 2010 at 1:48)
When I saw 'Tamar Valley' I immediately thought it was Tasmania....
- 1 0
mucklark69
(Dec 9, 2010 at 3:50)
Nice write up and stunning pictures !
- 1 0
zorba73
(Dec 9, 2010 at 7:06)
I am officially homesick, again..
- 1 0
lamleydh95
(Dec 8, 2010 at 7:40)
Nice one Milky
- 1 0
bradwalton
(Dec 9, 2010 at 8:10)
great photos and article
- 1 0
davinpena
(Dec 9, 2010 at 10:39)
amazing photooos
- 1 0
hugslyh
(Dec 9, 2010 at 11:50)
that looks sweet
- 1 0
josecampos
(Dec 9, 2010 at 13:38)
amazing shots!
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