London to Exmouth

[Tyler.Pearce]

I am hoping soon to do a charity cycle ride from London to Exmouth. I was just wandering has anyone done it before? If so, I have a few questions:
1) How long did it take you?
2) What route did you go?

Thanks in advance,

Tyler Pearce

 

[_aD]

Three days to get to Exmouth, but starting further south in Petersfield, I took this route on the NCN2 south coast cycle route and would do it again.

 

[martinwhprice]

If you've got time, stay a while down in East Devon... I used to live down there and there are some stunning little places to visit - Exmouth is definitely not the pick of the bunch! Cycling's likely to be pretty challenging though... it won't stay flat for long.

Alternatively take a similar route to aD - along the coastline. It'll definitely be worth it.

 

[gbs]

@aD: v helpful post. I might use the route to visit my son in Exeter.

What were the worst road/path surfaces that you encountered. Do you think I could cope on 25cc tyres?

 

[_aD]

It was almost all roads with the odd bridleway that I detoured on. There's a bit of hard-packed track around the Solent and through the New Forest which should be fine, but on-road detours won't be a problem if you decide otherwise.

 

[Ian H]

If you're using a direct route - I tend to use mostly A30 with a few detours, eg round Basingstoke - then my route (East Devon to West London) is around 160 miles, which takes me 12 to 14 hours. Exmouth is around 15 miles further.

 

[Muddyfox]

The Exmouth Exodus runs from Bristol to Exmouth so it might be worth contacting the organisers for a map of their route ?

http://www.exmouthexodus.co.uk/index.php

Simon

 

[Brains]

IMO the A30 is not suitable for cyclists.

The route I have used is
London south side of the Thames
Reading
Kennet and Avon Canal to Bath
Wells
Tarka Trail

Took me about 7 days but then I was not in a hurry

 

[Ian H]

IMO the A30 is not suitable for cyclists.

Hmm. It can be busy between London and Basingstoke, though it's fairly easy to avoid that section if you wish. West of Basingstoke it's fine all the way to Yeovil, except that a short section east of Salisbury to Lopham Corner gets rush hour traffic. Yeovil again has busy periods. Then it's fine all the way to the junction with the A303 (remember the A303 takes most of the London-Westcountry traffic). It's about five miles to Honiton (again, this can be by-passed), then you're on the old A30 (a cycle route) until, if you're going the direct way to Exmouth, you turn left at Daisymount.

Between Sherborne and Salisbury particularly it is a lovely road for cycling.

 

[Muddyfox]

I often ride across to Exmouth from where i live and rather than take the Daisy Mount option i would go .. Honiton - Ottery St Mary - Fluxton - Tipton St John - Newton Poppleford - Otterton (otterton mill is a great cake stop) Budliegh and into Exmouth

You basically follow the river Otter into Budliegh it is a very scenic and beautiful area to cycle through with very little traffic

Simon

 

[Ian H]

I often ride across to Exmouth from where i live and rather than take the Daisy Mount option i would go .. Honiton - Ottery St Mary - Fluxton - Tipton St John - Newton Poppleford - Otterton (otterton mill is a great cake stop) Budliegh and into Exmouth

You basically follow the river Otter into Budliegh it is a very scenic and beautiful area to cycle through with very little traffic

Simon

One of my regular routes.

 

[frank9755]

I did London - Lands End via Exeter this April.
I went mainly by back roads and it was quite hilly.
Write-up is here.