Thursday 28 July 2011
The Cornish Way Routes 3 and 32
This was to be my second bicycle tour. This was a supported ride, Jen being my "support". I took my mountain bike. April 2011.
First Day, Lands End to Hayle. 23 miles.
This first day was lovely, there was a strong wind' but as it was from the west it pushed me along at a fair old pace, especially along the sea front a Penzance. Some lovely views of St Michaels Mount. Did about three hours riding and spent the night at "The White Hart Hotel", very oldy worldy.
2nd Day Hayle to King Harry Ferry (almost) 30 miles.
Wet and misty day, which was a pity as I think if I could have seen the views of the old mines around Camborne it would have been great. As it was I managed to get lost, only realising my mistake when I recognised a cross roads for the second time! I stoped at the top of the hill leading down to the Ferry, which was a pity as If I had looked I would have discovered it was not running the following day.
3rd Day King Harry Ferry to St Austell 30 Miles
Very Hilly, and managed to get lost. However the fishing villages were lovely. Jen picked me up at the Eden Project. I was very tired!!
4th Day St Austell to Hallworthy 35 Miles
Another wonderfully day including Parts of the Camel trail (old railway line) and Bodmin Moor. I must be getting slightly fit as the route map had a warning of a very steep hill, which I climbed before I realised I had got to it! Spent the night in Tintagle.
Last day Hallworthy to Bude 15 miles
The final stretch. Another sunny day. One can see beyond Bude.
I managed to put on weight during the trip, which must be due to dinners and Breakfasts in hotels. (And beer and wine).
First Day, Lands End to Hayle. 23 miles.
This first day was lovely, there was a strong wind' but as it was from the west it pushed me along at a fair old pace, especially along the sea front a Penzance. Some lovely views of St Michaels Mount. Did about three hours riding and spent the night at "The White Hart Hotel", very oldy worldy.2nd Day Hayle to King Harry Ferry (almost) 30 miles.
Wet and misty day, which was a pity as I think if I could have seen the views of the old mines around Camborne it would have been great. As it was I managed to get lost, only realising my mistake when I recognised a cross roads for the second time! I stoped at the top of the hill leading down to the Ferry, which was a pity as If I had looked I would have discovered it was not running the following day.3rd Day King Harry Ferry to St Austell 30 Miles
Very Hilly, and managed to get lost. However the fishing villages were lovely. Jen picked me up at the Eden Project. I was very tired!!
4th Day St Austell to Hallworthy 35 Miles
Another wonderfully day including Parts of the Camel trail (old railway line) and Bodmin Moor. I must be getting slightly fit as the route map had a warning of a very steep hill, which I climbed before I realised I had got to it! Spent the night in Tintagle.Last day Hallworthy to Bude 15 miles
The final stretch. Another sunny day. One can see beyond Bude.
I managed to put on weight during the trip, which must be due to dinners and Breakfasts in hotels. (And beer and wine).
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...).
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...).
Wednesday 13 July 2011
2nd s36o Route 2 and 27, Horrabridge to Salcombe
The second try out of my LTH. Quite a fast run down 27 to Plymouth (a very scenic run, involving one tunnel and a few viaducts. . A typical Systrans route, mainly disused railway line but some rough stuff.
Then route 2 to South Brent and down to Totnes.
Fairly clear sailing until beyond Totnes, where the going got impossibly difficult. I had difficult simply pushing the bike and some of the gates were so arranged with weights to close them they caught ones panniers. Indeed unloaded mountain bikes were having to push in places. That is not shown on the photo to the left, which was easy going.
Then after that it was not to bad, but the run to Slapton was really to far (53 miles) with the hills and such. The difficulty being finding camp-sites a sensible distance apart. Also due to being late I did not get down to the C&C club site so had to pay £12, which really is a rip off.
There is a memorial to the Americans who were killed when some German boats got among a practise D Day Landing.
Finally there was the approach to Salcome, the search for the Ferry! and the crossing.
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| Route 27 dropping down to the railway line near Clearbrook. |
Then route 2 to South Brent and down to Totnes.
Fairly clear sailing until beyond Totnes, where the going got impossibly difficult. I had difficult simply pushing the bike and some of the gates were so arranged with weights to close them they caught ones panniers. Indeed unloaded mountain bikes were having to push in places. That is not shown on the photo to the left, which was easy going.
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| Totnes |
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| Camp Site |
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| Slapton Sands |
Finally there was the approach to Salcome, the search for the Ferry! and the crossing.
Friday 3 June 2011
Introduction
This blog is for me to record my cycling and (Perhaps) my slow attempt at Lands End to John O'Groats.
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