Yesterday we all got up at the crack of dawn and tripped on down to Devon for a day out of the office at Gawton. The three hour drive was definitely worth it, with some of the best riding in the UK hidden in these woods just outside Tavistock.

We arrived to meet AJ and Nick, two of the guys who helped with the mammoth task of building the place. It was kept under wraps for five years, with rumours being denied, and even at one stage claiming that the location of the tracks was somewhere in Egypt! The official opening is now coming up, its going to be on the 11th of April, and with free uplifts for the day, if you’re not at the World Cup in South Africa, this is the place to be! (Check below for full details)

We took the GoPro Hero Wide Angle helmet camera that actioncameras sent us, and managed to bag a load of great footage. Here’s a taster, it’s Will Soffe following Ashley Mullane down the Super-Tavi track.

http://mpora.com/videos/7PAz67LmC
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The riding at Gawton really is some of the best the UK has to offer, with everything from a fun but challenging descent to a steep, technical, national level downhill track. We had an amazing day and will be heading back down to Devon soon for some more of the same.

Look out for a full feature on Gawton in Dirt 87.

Here’s the official word as written in the Tavistock Evening Herald Press Gazette Beacon Paper News.

On the 11th of April Woodland riders, the southwest’s biggest downhill mountain biking club, will be holding the official opening day of their awesome new riding area at Gawton, West Devon.
Gawton mountain bike area has been built to cater for intermediate to expert level mountain bikers seeking the ultimate downhill gravity thrill ride! Each of the three new tracks provide their own challenges, whether through speed, gradient, technical difficulty or in some cases all three!
The tracks have been built over the last year by renowned world cup mountain biker and track designer, Rowan Sorrel. With financial backing from a lottery grant, obtained by the Tamar valley mining heritage project.

On the 11th will be playing host to several of the major mountain bike manufacturers, who will have demo bikes available for testing all through the day. Confirmed so far are;
Felt
Kona
Turner
Rocky mountain
Cove
Orange
Also confirmed to attend are international freeride star Chris Smith and ultra successful local downhill racer Ash Mullane.
Woodland uplifts will be providing their popular 4×4 and trailer uplift service to get riders back to the top of the courses free of charge on the day, based on a first come first served basis.
We will also have food provided by The Farmhouse kitchen and a DJ playing music on site all day.

This will be the only day of the year that non club members will be able to come and ride at Gawton. Normally there is a charge of £5 per day or £25 per year (£15 for under 16’s)
The area is open 365 days a year to members of Woodlandriders. To join the club follow the link on the club website www.woodlandriders.com or drop into Dartmoor cycles near Morrisons in Tavistock.

For any more information contact:
Andy Boyle on 07515661488 or [email protected]
Nick Score on 07754711595
Dartmoor cycles on 01822 618178

wide angled helmet camera footage of Gawton downhill track in Devon