Here's a nice and easy tour for anyone contemplating a first touring effort, or for anyone who just wants a pleasant ride around our beautiful county.
We did this in June, over four leisurely days, with some friends from up country.
Starting in Tiverton, Barnstaple or Exmouth where there is plenty of accommodation and good rail links, the route runs approximately 150 miles and takes in about 7000 ft of climbing. I put in as much off road cycle paths (Tarka Trail & Buzzard Way) and as many quiet B roads as possible.
The route is suitable for most bikes, but I wouldn't recommend it on a lightweight road bike with narrow tyres due to some rough off road sections towards the end of the Tarka Trail. Nothing that a hybrid or touring bike would have a problem on though.
We did a few detours along the way and clocked up 160 miles in total.
There are cycle friendly B&Bs in Okehampton, Exmouth and Tiverton - which are the ones we used, as we started the route proper in Barnstaple (I live in Braunton - 6 miles up the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple).
The route: http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4396574.html
B&Bs:
Okehampton - http://www.meadowleaguesthouse.co.uk/#guestbook
Exmouth - http://rohaven.co.uk/
Tiverton - http://www.angelguesthouse.co.uk/pictures-and-descriptions.html
Enjoy!
We did this in June, over four leisurely days, with some friends from up country.
Starting in Tiverton, Barnstaple or Exmouth where there is plenty of accommodation and good rail links, the route runs approximately 150 miles and takes in about 7000 ft of climbing. I put in as much off road cycle paths (Tarka Trail & Buzzard Way) and as many quiet B roads as possible.
The route is suitable for most bikes, but I wouldn't recommend it on a lightweight road bike with narrow tyres due to some rough off road sections towards the end of the Tarka Trail. Nothing that a hybrid or touring bike would have a problem on though.
We did a few detours along the way and clocked up 160 miles in total.
There are cycle friendly B&Bs in Okehampton, Exmouth and Tiverton - which are the ones we used, as we started the route proper in Barnstaple (I live in Braunton - 6 miles up the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple).
The route: http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4396574.html
B&Bs:
Okehampton - http://www.meadowleaguesthouse.co.uk/#guestbook
Exmouth - http://rohaven.co.uk/
Tiverton - http://www.angelguesthouse.co.uk/pictures-and-descriptions.html
Enjoy!
