| Great Escapes - N Devon 1 |
North Devon can lay claim to some of the richest off-road riding experiences Britain has to offer, and there are some great road routes to follow, too.
Exmoor is a perfect playground for rough 'n' tumble terrain but elsewhere, patchworks of emerald pastures and soaring coastal roads can make for tough but highly-rewarding rides, too. And, of course, there's the famous Tarka Trail: 175 miles of bridleway, cycleway and walkway with extensive, flat sections for a gentle day's cycling. So there's no reason not to get 'on yer bike'.
Here, we've featured two cycle routes on our bike tour. Follow our directions to their start points from Barnstaple town centre.
1. ROUTE ONE - TARKA TRAIL
This is a section of the Braunton -to-Meeth Tarka Trail Cycleway, which we join at the new Fremington Quay visitor centre and café. To get there from the town centre take the bridge over the River Taw. Continue straight through the next island, on the B3233, then take the second exit at the roundabout signposted Instow. Continue on the B3233, then turn right at 2.5 miles onto a resurfaced access road. Parking is next to the green-and-yellow visitor centre at 3.4 miles. The Tarka Trail runs right in front of this.
The Bike Trail cycle shop at Fremington Quay (tel 01271 378794) is to the left of the new visitor centre which hosts a heritage display of old cycles and a viewing point to the estuary, both of which are well worth a look. You can hire all the equipment you need from the shop for a day's cycling or more.
The Tarka Trail runs directly outside the shop, here. The purchase by Devon County Council of the disused railway from Barnstaple to Meeth inspired the 175-mile Tarka Trail footpath. Where it follows former railways, the Tarka trail provides 35 miles of traffic-free cycle/walkway. Spectacular viaducts offer wonderful views of the coast, and the valley of the River Torridge.
It's a gentle ride, suitable for all the family, with no taxing hills. Soak up the wonderful North Devon scenery as you ride.
As we went to press, the Tarka Trail was closed but there was talk of that stretch of the Trail north of Bideford being re-opened as this was an area unaffected by the outbreak - so, we've given directions to the car parks on this stretch of the trail. Call Tourist information centres at Bideford (01237 477676) or Braunton (01271 816400) for the latest update, and see the boxout on page 84 for other useful contact numbers.
South from Fremington Quay
• So, assuming the route is open, set out from here and head south for 3.7 miles, with the River Taw on your right. The route is flat
and easy going. At Instow there are two pubs, the Wayfarer Inn and the Quay Inn, adjacent to the cycleway. Both are good for drinks and other refreshments.
• A further 2.8 miles, with the River Torridge on your right, brings you to Bideford Station, where there is another pub,
the Swan Inn, and a picnic site with refreshments.
• Another two miles brings you to the Landcross tunnel and the start of a section of wooded lowland. There are more picnic sites here at which to stop and soak up the peace and quiet of 'Tarka country'.
• Returning at this point would mean a round trip of some 17 miles, which may well be enough for most people. But for those who wish to continue, the route starts to climb a short while after the Puffing Billy pub at Torrington Station. The route then descends towards Petrockstowe Station and ends at Meeth. In total, from the Fremington Quay shop, this would be a cycle route of 22.3m.
North from Fremington Quay
• Cycling north from Fremington Quay, which is perhaps more likely to be reopened in the coming months, it's a 2.7-mile route into Barnstaple, where you can cross the River Taw at Longbridge.
• There's a BMX track here, which is good news for families with kids. A further five miles of easy cycling will bring you into Braunton.
2. ROUTE TWO -
NORTH COAST CYCLE ROUTE
Join the A361 and drive north out of Barnstaple towards Ilfracombe. After 12.5 miles, at the traffic lights,
continue straight on up the High Street and fork right at 13 miles. In another mile, park in the car park on the left.
Our second cycle route was a section of the North Coast Cycle Route. Because it's a road route, it is open to traffic during the current 'foot and mouth' outbreak.
It offers spectacular views of the gorgeous, rolling Exmoor National Park scenery and even though it may be tough going in parts, we are sure you will find it worth
the effort.
• Take the A399 eastbound towards Blackmoor Gate. The first 1.5 miles is a relatively steep ascent as the road follows the winding coastal cliffs. It then descends towards Combe Martin. Cycle its long, main street - the longest of any village in the country.
• At 5.6m, you'll come across the 17th-century Pack O'Cards pub. Its architectural features represent the suits and numbers in a pack of cards, making it a unique venue for refreshments en route.
• At 7.6 miles, turn left, signposted Hunter's Inn and Trentishoe. Turn sharp right at 8.7 miles for Dean. Continue on this unclassified road for Parracombe, crossing the ford at 9.6 miles.
• At 11.3 miles, bear right, again following the signs for Parracombe, entering it at 11.8 miles. Turn left at the T-junction in the delightful little town of Parracombe and begin a steep half mile ascent back to the A39.
• At 13.6 miles turn left at Martinhoe Cross, for Martinhoe and Woody Bay. At 14.4 miles turn left for Hunter's Inn. Go straight across the junction at 15.3 miles, again signposted Hunter's Inn.
• It's a steep, 1-in-4 descent to the delightful pub set in mature
woodland and is an ideal venue for a lunch break, after having cycled 16.1 miles.
• Turn right immediately after
the pub and climb the steep, wooded combe for 1.5 miles. This brings you to Holdstone National Trust area, and the next two miles offer great views of both the sea and moorland.*
• At 19.6 miles, at Colsworthy Crook, return to the A39. Turn right and return to the Ilfracombe car park at 28.2 miles.
*Disinfectant mats have been placed across selected roads in moorland areas to reduce the possibility of 'foot and mouth' disease being spread, but when we went to press the public was still able to use the roads for access into and through the Park. Nevertheless, look out for signs erected at key points on the road network which suggest alternative routes to avoid open country. For the latest
information, visit the website www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or call the helpline on 01398 322322. |
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Distance: Route 1, 17 miles. Route 2, 28 miles.
Time: Route 1, 5 hours; Route 2, 6 hours.
Start/finish: Route 1, Fremington Quay; Route 2, Ilfracombe
car park.
Suitable for: Route 1, all the family; Route 2, fit and reasonably serious cyclists.
EQUIPMENT HIRE/CLUBS
Fremington Quay
Tel 01271 378794
Barnstaple Rail Station
Tel 01271 324202;
Braunton, Station Road
Tel 01271 813339
EQUIPMENT
We were equipped with some serious off-roading hardware for our North Devon cycle routes. Unfortunately, 'foot and mouth' restrictions prevented us getting off the beaten track but we found that the Warp DS2 cycle, made by Giant bicycles, was more than able to cope with everything we could throw at it in these limited conditions. Its lightweight aluminium frame is easy to manhandle, and
suspension front forks cosset you over the roughest terrain. Not cheap at a little over £700 but evidently built to last. For your nearest dealer, phone Giant UK on 0115 977 5900.
REFRESHMENTS
Hunter's Inn, Heddon's Valley, Near Parracombe EX31 4PY.
Tel 01598 763230.
Pack O'Cards Inn, Combe Martin.
Tel 01271 882300.
Wayfarer Inn, Instow.
Tel 01271 860342.
Quay Inn, Instow.
Tel 01271 860624.
Swann Inn, Bideford.
Tel 01237 473460.
Puffing Billy, Torrington Station.
Tel 01805 623050.
INFORMATION
Tourist Information Telephone: Combe Martin 01271 883319; Ilfracombe 01271 863001; Lynton 01598 752225, Bideford 01237 477676.
Information on cycle routes:
Sustrans and the National Cycle Network, tel 0117 929 0888.
CTC Cyclists Touring Club,
tel 01483 417217.
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