Insider’s guide: Haldon Heroic
Mix the rough with the smooth in this early season mixed-terrain event
Off-road and gravel events have been picking up in popularity in the last couple of years, especially as most major bike brands are now keenly producing hybrid bikes that occupy the middle ground between a road and a cyclo-cross machine and are able to take on both jobs — the Superior X-road we used sits squarely in this category. The Haldon Heroic started just ahead of the curve and has been fine-tuned to give you the best experience of the local roads and
off-road trails in this beautiful area. The start point at Exeter racecourse provides a great venue with full indoor facilities, plenty of parking and is also used as a midpoint feed due to the way the routes loop around for both the distances and offroad sectors.
The tarmac contingent is a good mix of B roads and back lanes, with rolling profiles for the most part and some short, sharp climbs to keep you on your toes. As with most of the UK road network, the surfaces are somewhat variable, but at least if you are riding a bike suitable for the off-road parts this shouldn’t be a problem.
The highlight here though are the many and varied off-road sections, scattered throughout the ride over six (for the full route, less for the medium and short) sectors. All of the forest stages are run on Forestry Commission land and well looked after, so for the most part are perfectly rideable in all conditions, while others link up the roads and are generally public paths and greenways. Ranging from fire roads to singletrack and cycle paths, it is an amazingly diverse mix over a relatively short distance. The views of the surrounding countryside from the fire roads on the higher ground are nothing short of spectacular and well worth the trek.
A few sectors are somewhat different to the easy-going fire roads and cycle paths; of particular note are two lengthy downhill trails that are a little bizarre in nature — the area is generally sandy, soft soil but these trenches are filled with large stones and rocks, akin to a driedup riverbed. We found these stretches to be the most challenging of the day — great bike control was needed along with modulation of speed and braking. Other sections took us across heathland where overgrown vegetation was the main hazard, while another, even when we rode in the summer, was an absolute mud-fest requiring maximum effort to keep the wheels turning through the momentum-sucking quagmire.
Timed loops
While the overall event has timing facilities, the forest stages are looped within a single point of entry and exit, and timed individually to give breakdowns of each that are used to award spot prizes throughout the day — a nice addition. Looking at the route on a map might lead you to think it’s a bit haphazard, but with full signage and marshals at the key points you can’t go wrong, and depending on the route you choose there are up to two feed stations to keep you going. If you are looking for something a bit different and challenging then give the Haldon Heroic a go. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time and I think I might just be hooked on mixed-surface rides.