PERFECT cycling conditions greeted 309 intrepid souls as they left Minehead Rugby Club at the start of the Exmoor Explorer mountain bike marathon on Sunday.

The event is not a race, so is suited to all abilities, and the parade lap through Minehead town centre was taken at a gentle pace so that riders could appreciate the flower displays.

Climbing via Martlet Road and Burgundy Road onto the bridleways of North Hill didn't leave much breath left to say thank you to the cheering crowd at the War Memorial, but the support was much appreciated.

Encouraged by the thought of the tea stop at Porlock Village Hall a good pace was set, at least until the dangerous rocky downhill into Lynch Combe. Cuts, bruises and headlong dives into the nettles were the result for the impetuous. The brambles claimed victims too.

Steadier riders did better here as getting off and walking the 100 metre section was the most sensible solution.

At the village hall, riders decided whether to tackle the shorter route of 23 miles or takle the long route loop, which would give them a total of 32 miles by the end.

This section, with the help of the National Trust, had an exhilarating blend of fast trails, technical single track and "heart in mouth" descents.

A strange sensation was the bridleway in Doverhay Woods where riders plunged from sunshine into the near dark of the woods.

All riders then shared the return leg which included a steep climb to Webber's Post and then the long rocky descent of Dunster Path. This, somewhat surprisingly, didn't claim any victims.

But then the survivors faced the leg wrecking mile climb of Ranscombe Combe, is a wide smooth fireroad to the top of Grabbist that climbs 200 metres vertical - a real test of stamina for weary riders, and at the top views across the bay were veiled by dripping sweat.

Remarkably, all but five finished, some quite promptly in about four hours, others taking rather longer, no doubt the better to enjoy the scenery.

Monies raised from the event will be given to local causes, such as the national park's erosion team, who repair and improve the paths and tracks on Exmoor.