The Devon Coast To Coast Routes 3 and 27

This was really the start of it all.  The Devon Coast to Coast is a 102 mile ride from Ilfracombe to Plymouth.  It was to be my introduction to Cycle Touring.

Day the First  15miles!!!

I started on my Dawes Die Hard hybrid.  Jen drove me in to Plymouth docks and my plan was to simply cycle the 15 miles back to Horrabridge as a "taster".  Managed to get lost coming out of Plymouth before getting onto the Plym Valley cycle trail which follows the course of the railway line.   (Route 27 branches around our village, there is the impossible mine track down to Grenofen Bridge to one side and slightly more hilly to the other.  In fact the easiest route (until they finish the viaduct) is through the village (I think).

Day the Second, Horrabridge to Lydford, Another 15 miles !!

Hey, I decided this is fun.  Lets fit some panniers and try camping.  So with loaded bike set off for Lydford.  Even though I did a lot of pushing did not take long.  Set up tent and marvelled at the convenience of living out of panniers  instead of a rucksack.  Laid out all my food and cooking kit, and recalled that the Castle Inn was only half a mile away.  After dinner (at the Inn) beer and wine returned to my tent and slept the sleep of the just.

Day three, Lydford to Bidiford, 41 miles.

Awoke suitable refreshed and set off to cycle to Okhampton and my provisional RV with Jen (10 miles (remember this was my first tour)).  Okhampton just seemed to flash past so I kept going.  Needed to push a few times to beyond Hatherligh, then literally down hill all the way on the old railway track.  Very senic with viaducts and one tunnel.  Jen picked me up at Bidiford and we went home, having decided this is really "fun".

Day Four Bidiford to Ilfracombe 30 miles.

I was persuaded at the LBS I needed a bigger bike and was sold a second hand trek.  (Which was to small, however).  So set off on final stage.  Great run around the Taw estuary to Braunton.  Again disused railway line.  Slight miss-hap on the Woolacombe track.  A boulder in the centre of the track had been covered in grass cutting which resulted in my "going over the top".  (I wonder, some can be quite anti bike).  However a run in to Ilfracombe where I RVed with Jen and we spent a pleasant night in a local Inn.

And I was hooked!  (I think I must have taken some photos, but...).