Devon Coast-to-Coast by Road Bike

[TheSandwichMonster]

Been considering doing this for a while, but the map is out of print and going by the description it seems like there's a fair amount of off-road/cyclepath that I'd prefer to avoid on the road bike from a puncture perspective...

Has anyone ever done Ilfracombe to Plymouth, or something similar, on a purely road route? I've put this route together that looks like it should suffice, but I was wondering if anyone had any additional input?

 

[Dave Davenport]

Did it a couple of years ago; The official route uses some very rough tracks that I don't think would do a pair of road wheels much good but there are plenty of small lanes that you could use as detours, or just use the relevant OS map(s) and plan your own.

 

[summerdays]

There is only one section that was that bad on the Sustrans route we took and only for a couple of hundred meters - though I would have avoided it if I realised when loaded down with panniers.

 

[Jerry Atrik]

Done the sustrans route on a Tricross with 28mm tyres , rack and panniers with no trouble at all . A great weekend ride .

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Thanks all.

I've got plans to probably do this with a friend and we'll probably just end up doing it in one. I already have a planned route that I've linked above, so I'll probably look to ride parts of the route in sessions over the coming weeks to check it's suitability.

 

[WilliamNB]

I would simply stick to NCN27 as far as possible. The pic further above appears to be the bit near Clearbrook. You don't have to go along that bit (I rarely do) but can instead simply follow the road along to bypass that bad section. On my blog I have fairly detailed instructions on how to avoid that section.

Follow NCN27 out of Ilfracombe and you'll be cycling on a decent surface, with no cars to worry about. Unless you're determined to visit the beach, I suggest you avoid the Woolacombe detour.
Provided you don't follow the Tarka Trail all the way to Meeth (assuming a North to South run) and instead diverting via Petrockstowe, you should be OK with a road bike, even a skinny-wheeled one.

There is a short off-road, and sometimes muddy section from the A386 (coming from Bridestowe) leading up to Bears Lake viaduct on the Granite Way, but it really isn't very long, and there's another, even shorter rough and muddy section further along the Granite Way, some distance before Meldon viaduct, if you were riding South to North.

By sticking with NCN27 you'll get to enjoy so many nice surprises hidden along the way, not to mention some gorgeous views.

Whichever way you do it, best of luck, and post some pics when you're done.

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Thanks for that William. Really detailed response - really appreciate it.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Thanks for that William. Really detailed response - really appreciate it.

I was just going to post you should contact WillCycle who runs guided cycle tours along the Devon C2C for some advice. Good job I read the whole thread!

 

[WilliamNB]

Thanks for that William. Really detailed response - really appreciate it.

No worries - while that wasn't exactly what I'd consider "really detailed", I'm glad if it could be of some help. :-)