Kudos to all you N.Devon resident cyclists!

[SpokeyDokey]

Just returned from a short-ish break to the lovely little town(s) of Lynton and Lynemouth - very quaint, friendly and time stand still-ish.

First ever visit to the N.Devon coast and thoroughly enjoyable.

But crikey... the hills!

Although we have our fair share of hefty (and beyond my ability) climbs here in the Lake District we also have lots of moderately undulating roads to cycle on between the hills.

But 'down there' it is relentless. Up and down pretty much non-stop along the whole coastline. Lots of 10-15% gradients peppered with long 25%+ drags. Too much for me I don't mind admitting.

I think if I lived in one of the small towns dotted along the coast I'd probably not bother with cycling - either that or get fitter quick!

Hats off to all of you who regularly cycle there.

Great walking territory though!

 

[chriswoody]

I grew up in Ilfracombe, North Devon and started seriously cycling when I was 13. Steep hill climbs are the only way out of that town. I used to cycle up onto Exmoor all the time, but would dismount for the hills and walk. Challacombe hill always sticks in my mind as being a long grind. I had an epiphany one day though as I slowly trudged up the hill pushing my bike and wacking my shins against the pedals every few minutes, I could either learn how to climb hills or I should give up my new found love of cycling. Needless to say, I taught my self to enjoy hill climbing and actively seek out the hills for enjoyment. The pinnacle of this was a ride I did on an old 5 speed bike in my early twenties, where I took in numerous hills include the descent into Lynmouth and the subsequent climb out towards Porlock and yep, I didn't push once!

I've also done a lot of winter mountaineering in my time as well and the skills and fitness I've picked up from cycling over Exmoor and the North Devon coast have certainly helped me a lot.

Compare that to where I live now in Northern Germany, it's flatter than Norfolk here and the only thing to contend with is the wind.

 

[mjr]

Was it partly that you didn't know the best cycling routes? I've had some surprises when first cycling in a gnarly area, especially a few short stinkers which are worse than maps or road signs claim, but then found routes which aren't so harsh. There are often some you can't avoid, though.

At least hills have a top. I still say wind is worse because it never ends until you turn around to head home. My toughest ride was in a hilly area where the headwind was strong enough to rob us of the ability to freewheel down anything much less than maybe 8% - and then the return route was less exposed, so we didn't even get the benefit of the tailwind!

 

[Crackle]

I agree with Spokey. I was there recently and didn't even bother with the roadbike. The hills combined with the high hedges and narrow lanes made me feel like it wasn't worth the effort. I did use the mtn bike up on Dartmoor but I couldn't be bothered with the road bike not helped by a slightly, couldn't be arsed, holiday feeling.

 

[MichaelW2]

I had to get off an walk up the hill Exmoor into a howling NW gale. I was making backwards progress so, turning adversary into good fortune, I turned around and did the fastest 17 miles into Taunton to catch the train to Falmouth.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I grew up in Ilfracombe, North Devon and started seriously cycling when I was 13. Steep hill climbs are the only way out of that town. I used to cycle up onto Exmoor all the time, but would dismount for the hills and walk. Challacombe hill always sticks in my mind as being a long grind. I had an epiphany one day though as I slowly trudged up the hill pushing my bike and wacking my shins against the pedals every few minutes, I could either learn how to climb hills or I should give up my new found love of cycling. Needless to say, I taught my self to enjoy hill climbing and actively seek out the hills for enjoyment. The pinnacle of this was a ride I did on an old 5 speed bike in my early twenties, where I took in numerous hills include the descent into Lynmouth and the subsequent climb out towards Porlock and yep, I didn't push once!

I've also done a lot of winter mountaineering in my time as well and the skills and fitness I've picked up from cycling over Exmoor and the North Devon coast have certainly helped me a lot.

Compare that to where I live now in Northern Germany, it's flatter than Norfolk here and the only thing to contend with is the wind.

@chriswoody

We were staying at The Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury to the east of Lynemouth - nice spot!

I used to do a lot of winter mountaineering plus rock climbing although I mainly hill walk and scramble (to a reasonable grade) these days.

I took the Foreland path opposite the pub that heads around the light house - I have a good head for heights but what a nasty little path it was - very narrow with loose scree in places on a very steep hillside with the odd dislodged rock bouncing hundreds of feet down into the sea. Can't say I enjoyed it that much despite being used to loads of space beneath me when climbing.

 

[Ian H]

Some of us quite like Devon for cycling. My Valley of the Rocks 200 event.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Was it partly that you didn't know the best cycling routes? I've had some surprises when first cycling in a gnarly area, especially a few short stinkers which are worse than maps or road signs claim, but then found routes which aren't so harsh. There are often some you can't avoid, though.

At least hills have a top. I still say wind is worse because it never ends until you turn around to head home. My toughest ride was in a hilly area where the headwind was strong enough to rob us of the ability to freewheel down anything much less than maybe 8% - and then the return route was less exposed, so we didn't even get the benefit of the tailwind!

I couldn't ever even get up the buggers to find anywhere less gnarly. Not many cyclists to be seen during the week we were there. A few small groups (2-3) on touring bikes grinding away and two obviously very fit guys who were on a couple of nice bikes hacking away up Portland Hill (may have got the name wrong there but it was a nasty thing even for the car).

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Some of us quite like Devon for cycling. My Valley of the Rocks 200 event.

You are miles fitter than me.

We had a nice walk from Lynton to Woody Bay and a clamber over the outcrops in the Valley of the Rocks along the way. Terrific scenery!

 

[burntoutbanger]

Grew up in Ilfracombe too, now live in Exeter (a stone's throw from Dartmoor), love hills.

 

[MikeG]

@chriswoody

We were staying at The Blue Ball Inn at Countisbury to the east of Lynemouth - nice spot!........

Lynmouth.

We used to live just up the stream at Lynbridge. I used to ride a 3 speed bike around that area in my youth.

 

[oldfatfool]

If its not Yorkshire then they aint proper hills.

 

[sleuthey]

Just returned from a short-ish break to the lovely little town(s) of Lynton and Lynemouth

Did you cycle up the famous Porlock Hill (A39 Westbound leaving Porlock)? I even struggle going up there in the car! Also I know of a coach driver who had to veer into a field on the way down as the breaks overheated and became defective.

What about the zig zag hill from Lynmouth to Lynton or did you take the Cliff Railway Lift?

 

[Fab Foodie]

If its not Yorkshire then they aint proper hills.

Devon's hills are a well kept secret. We don't need to shout sbout them ;-)

 

[MikeG]

Did you cycle up the famous Porlock Hill (A39 Westbound leaving Porlock)? I even struggle going up there in the car! Also I know of a coach driver who had to veer into a field on the way down as the breaks overheated and became defective.

What about the zig zag hill from Lynmouth to Lynton or did you take the Cliff Railway Lift?

The first time I drove up Porlock I met a caravan coming back down, backwards, towards me. Luckily, it careered off into one of the run-off emergency areas, without making contact with me. That is one hell of a hill. I think it is bypassed these days.