Routes in Ilfracombe

moscowflyer
moscowflyer Posts: 540
edited April 2013 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
I'm off for a week in Ilfracombe in two weeks and will be taking a bike (naturally) and getting out early each am before the wife and kids wake up. I've been mapping out a few routes but admittedly I've been doing this blind as I have no idea of the area so am unsure if the routes I've done are suitable for road bikes. If anyone familiar with the area could have a look and let me know, it would be appreciated. Any nice routes from 15-40 miles would also be welcome if you can provide any. Looks pretty brutal in terms of hills compared to what I'm used to, this final route will be three times as much climbing compared to what I'm used to on a normal ride, so will save that for the final day...

Cheers.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2265499

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2265479

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2265519

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    If you want to challenge yourself, head to Lynton/Lynmouth in Exmoor... the roads out of it are brutal and the descents steep... if you have more time you can even go all the way to Porlock, but use the gentle toll road, the main road is scary on the way down and an absolute beast on the way up without a triple. On the other hand the Toll road is an absolute stunner, one of the best climbs in England
    left the forum March 2023
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    ... the Toll road is an absolute stunner, one of the best climbs in England

    Yepp, wholeheartedly agree. Might be worth driving to Minehead and starting the ride from there if you cannot manage a tough 60 miler. Potter along to Porlock then spin up the toll road. Once up on top then the road along the bay dropping into lynton/Lynmouth is just jaw dropping but be bloody careful because at the bottom of the descent it drops to -25% and there is an adverse camber with a couple of manhole covers thrown in. From there, bear left and climb up watersmeet and then up and across to Simonsbath, Wheddon Cross and drop back down to Minehead, cycling doesn't get any better.

    Edit: Here you go:

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2266169

    Park near the station and enjoy seeing some great old steam trains before heading off into town. There'll be lots of beautiful climbing but as gentle as you can get around Exmoor. It can be tough climbing to Simonsbath if the wind is against you and the road to Wheddon will sap your soul as it seems to consist of just up or down. However, the descent from Wheddon Cross will lift your spirits again for a fantastic finish (lovely surface and sweeping road). The A39 between Dunster and Minehead gets busy so I avoid it by popping left in Dunster but keep your wits on that road as it is single lane and traffic might not be expecting you!
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Cheers both. It's a bit more East than I was looking to go but I may well see if I can wangle an extra couple of hours on the final day to sample that toll road. My final route has me going up Countisbury Hill and then turning off to head back, but realistically I don't know if the legs will handle 7,500ft in less than 50 miles...
  • nickel
    nickel Posts: 476
    I'd head over to Lynton and Lynmouth similar to the route's you've planned, from there if you want a long but not particularly steep climb head up towards Simonsbath on Exmoor, from there you can drop off Exmoor back to Ilfracombe.

    There are several great climbs around Lynton and Lynmouth, there's the short and ridiculously steep Lynmouth Hill (not very long but 30%), Countisbury Hill which is a brute, 20-25% at the bottom and a couple of miles of continuous climbing and the the climb I mentioned earlier which takes you from sea level to the top of Exmoor over 5 to 6 miles.

    The absolute daddy is Porlock though, just about manageable on a compact, the hairpin bends have to be seen to be believed. Another possibly equally hard climb is the road over Dunkery Beacon from Luccombe although thats definitely getting too far east from you.

    Sorry if this has turned into a ramble, I absolutely love Exmoor and the climbs although brutual, offer amazing views once you've conquered them!
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Thanks. Looks like I'm in for a fairly torrid time then as the bike I'm taking (if the forecast is ok) is a double, so I'll be working on a 39-28 granny gear. I could take the other one to give me 34-25 but there won't be a huge amount in it.

    Should be fun either way.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    If you are still down that way next w/e then see if you can bag a day's pass :wink:

    http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/13-142/

    http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/28672992

    I'll be there but don't let that put you off :)
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    edited March 2013
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Thanks. Looks like I'm in for a fairly torrid time then as the bike I'm taking (if the forecast is ok) is a double, so I'll be working on a 39-28 granny gear. I could take the other one to give me 34-25 but there won't be a huge amount in it.

    I live in Lynton and agree with everything said about routes.

    On your 3rd route, rather than riding back along the same road, here's a much better way back from Lynton. Head west along the coast to Combe Martin, two great climbs, Lee Bay zig-zags and Jose's Lane - it's also great from Combe Martin to Lynton. - but harder because of Buzzacott Lane and the brutal climb out of Hunter's Inn.

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2278427

    However, having myself spent far too much time on a 39 around here - pre-compact days - I would suggest, if possible, you switch those cranks, or cassettes/wheels over, giving you a 34/28, you will be very pleased you did.

    I now ride a 34/29 and have a 46 'big' on 2 bikes and a 50 on the other...if you come near Lynton and Lynmouth you will see why :wink:
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Cheers, I'm not going to swap the cranks so I'll just have to man up :wink:

    If the weather's not looking great though then I'll be taking the winter bike which will give me 34-25, not a major change but a tiny bit extra. It'll be fun anyway.

    Combe Martin is on one of my routes, looks like a nice climb, not sure I'll have it in me to do it coming back on the third route though, which to be honest I very much doubt I'll manage as it is.
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Combe Martin is on one of my routes, looks like a nice climb, not sure I'll have it in me to do it coming back on the third route though, which to be honest I very much doubt I'll manage as it is.

    The route I posted doesn't do a Combe Martin climb on the way back?

    The coast road west from Lynton is definitely worth a ride - much better than all those inland 'A roads' near Ilfracombe...

    Enjoy!
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Ah, sorry, was on a phone so couldn't really look.

    Funnily enough though, following today's ride I've realised that I really don't get on with a standard chainset having ridden most of the past two years on a compact so will be trying to get it swapped out for the compact before I go after all, which will then give me 30x28.
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    And as if by magic, I now have a 54-30 and 11-28, so I feel a bit less nervous now...
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    vs wrote:
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Thanks. Looks like I'm in for a fairly torrid time then as the bike I'm taking (if the forecast is ok) is a double, so I'll be working on a 39-28 granny gear. I could take the other one to give me 34-25 but there won't be a huge amount in it.

    I live in Lynton and agree with everything said about routes.

    On your 3rd route, rather than riding back along the same road, here's a much better way back from Lynton. Head west along the coast to Combe Martin, two great climbs, Lee Bay zig-zags and Jose's Lane - it's also great from Combe Martin to Lynton. - but harder because of Buzzacott Lane and the brutal climb out of Hunter's Inn.

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2278427

    However, having myself spent far too much time on a 39 around here - pre-compact days - I would suggest, if possible, you switch those cranks, or cassettes/wheels over, giving you a 34/28, you will be very pleased you did.

    I now ride a 34/29 and have a 46 'big' on 2 bikes and a 50 on the other...if you come near Lynton and Lynmouth you will see why :wink:

    Just had a chance to see that route properly and wanted to say thanks! That's a lot more family friendly in terms of me getting me back at a decent time...
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    You're welcome. You will have a great time riding here, you're average speed may suffer though :wink:

    Here's my trundle from yesterday, which is fairly standard in terms of elevation versus milage ratio around here.
    http://app.strava.com/activities/46196171
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Ha! Compared to my ride this morning, these are the nearest 'hills' to me.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/46293937

    Can't wait now, looks like I'll have plenty of fun.
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Ha! Compared to my ride this morning, these are the nearest 'hills' to me.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/46293937

    Can't wait now, looks like I'll have plenty of fun.

    Nice, plenty of PBs there!

    A bit more climbing per mile for me today...

    http://app.strava.com/activities/46355419
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Blimey, you must have quads of steel!
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    When it gets a bit warmer... :wink:

    http://app.strava.com/activities/13491877
    http://app.strava.com/activities/14174003
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    :o

    Your total elevation this year alone so far compared to mine is just ridiculous!
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    :o

    Your total elevation this year alone so far compared to mine is just ridiculous!

    Exmoor :wink:
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Ok, so the Porlock Hill climb... http://app.strava.com/segments/847912

    I'd really love a bash at this (Rob, it seems your KOM was beaten just today...).

    I've already laid the foundations with the wife so we can drive over that way, but what I want to know is how dangerous is it? The plan would be to ride this segment, then head back down (slowly) and then do the toll road. Is that realistic?
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Ok, so the Porlock Hill climb... http://app.strava.com/segments/847912

    I'd really love a bash at this (Rob, it seems your KOM was beaten just today...).

    I've already laid the foundations with the wife so we can drive over that way, but what I want to know is how dangerous is it? The plan would be to ride this segment, then head back down (slowly) and then do the toll road. Is that realistic?

    Yep no problems doing that, you'll probably need a quid for the toll road at this time of year.

    Needless to say Porlock Hill is a tough climb but I've never thought of it as dangerous. The bottom is incredibly steep, the two hairpins are 30% + - half a mile at 17.5% average

    And yes it looks like I'll have to have another go at it too, sometime... :|

    The toll road is a classic climb - 4 miles at a consistent 5% with no traffic.

    There is also a second toll road (Worthy) but this has a more inconsistent gradient, and the road is pretty rough in places but it's very pretty up through there, I love it.
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Thanks, not sure if I'll get a chance but will see what happens on Friday.

    I'm two days in now and have done a couple of rides, the first one was epic for me personally in terms of the climbs and roads, much better than anything Surrey has to offer. Combe Martin is a great climb, really enjoyed that and some of the views heading on going west to Braunton were fantastic. Not the most scenic route heading north from there but a painfull last ten miles or so. Overall a lovely ride with some good ascents and lovely road surfaces. Oh, and hardly any traffic too which was great!

    http://app.strava.com/activities/47619368

    Fell off today and busted myself up a bit so only managed 17 this am, but got back on the bike for ten miles in the PM. Ten miles from home would probably give me no more than 200ft of climbing, but this one was great heading out to Combe Martin and back, so another 1500ft in the bag there.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/47619368

    I've never known anywhere that has so many constant hills, I have to ride 15 miles before getting anything that resembles a hill back home. Weather's looking patchy tomorrow but hopefully I'll get another good ride of ascent in the legs. I love it here.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Fell off today and busted myself up a bit

    What happened? Get it wrong on a descent?
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Thanks, not sure if I'll get a chance but will see what happens on Friday.

    I'm two days in now and have done a couple of rides, the first one was epic for me personally in terms of the climbs and roads, much better than anything Surrey has to offer. Combe Martin is a great climb, really enjoyed that and some of the views heading on going west to Braunton were fantastic. Not the most scenic route heading north from there but a painfull last ten miles or so. Overall a lovely ride with some good ascents and lovely road surfaces. Oh, and hardly any traffic too which was great!

    http://app.strava.com/activities/47619368

    Fell off today and busted myself up a bit so only managed 17 this am, but got back on the bike for ten miles in the PM. Ten miles from home would probably give me no more than 200ft of climbing, but this one was great heading out to Combe Martin and back, so another 1500ft in the bag there.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/47619368

    I've never known anywhere that has so many constant hills, I have to ride 15 miles before getting anything that resembles a hill back home. Weather's looking patchy tomorrow but hopefully I'll get another good ride of ascent in the legs. I love it here.

    Glad you're enjoying it here. Quite funny to read your post; I don't ride over that way much because there's way too much traffic, and I find the roads a bit boring.

    If you can you should definitely have a ride on Exmoor while you're here, it's hillier but much quieter, and it's also very beautiful.

    Here's my ride from Saturday which is reasonably flat for Exmoor, as it misses all the proper hills, but takes in some amazing roads and I hardly saw any cars.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/47513891
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    MoscowFlyer wrote:
    Fell off today and busted myself up a bit

    What happened? Get it wrong on a descent?

    No, just tried a tight u turn on a steep incline and had no chance of unclipping in time as I toppled over. Hit the ground fairly hard but just a cut and bruised hip and back, nothing major.
    vs wrote:
    Glad you're enjoying it here. Quite funny to read your post; I don't ride over that way much because there's way too much traffic, and I find the roads a bit boring.

    If you can you should definitely have a ride on Exmoor while you're here, it's hillier but much quieter, and it's also very beautiful.

    Here's my ride from Saturday which is reasonably flat for Exmoor, as it misses all the proper hills, but takes in some amazing roads and I hardly saw any cars.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/47513891

    Well it was Sunday morning so that probably had something to do with it. It's gradually got worse since then though, the wind today was relentless and as I've no longer got the 28 available due to the bent rear mech hanger on the good bike, I took the other bike out with the 11-25 and failed up Challacombe Hill three quarters up. Riding up there with that headwind was as tough as I've ever had it on a bike.
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    edited April 2013
    I thought you'd be glad of every sprocket you could get.

    This piece is the conclusion of an essay written by ex-pro turned photographer Jered Gruber, whom I had the pleasure of riding with on Exmoor in December:

    "I had come to Exmoor looking to find a special place. I said it before we left—if it’s half as beautiful as it looks in the pictures, I’ll have a new favourite spot. It was twice as beautiful, twice as difficult, and every bit as perfect as I had imagined. My heaven is different than most, I guess. I don’t mind struggling up steep lanes barely as wide as I am tall, muddy, tired, cold. Alive. My heaven isn’t perfect—it’s not an imaginary place—it’s real, and it’s icy and windy and dirty, and I love it."

    The whole 10 page article can be found in Peloton magazine issue 18.
  • vs
    vs Posts: 468
    :oops: double post
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Last day today, rain yesterday am and this morning meant no chance to ride but I managed to get the rear hanger sorted (big thanks to South Fork Racing) early this morning and the sun came out this afternoon so I managed to grab an hour while the kids ate dinner and went back to Challacombe which I was still sulking about. Got up this time (the extra gear made all the difference) so ended the week on a high note.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/48461313

    Nice way to end what's been a good week, never managed to get over to Porlock, probably just as well... But really enjoyed it down here and can't wait to come back. Cheers for all the help on here!
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Chapeau to you all... The weather hasn't been brilliant this and the climbing is making me ill thinking about it sitting on the sofa! Was up braunton way a couple of times this week on the Tarka and still wasn't as quick. Pity there isn't a strava climbing challenge going on right now
  • moscowflyer
    moscowflyer Posts: 540
    Mikey23 wrote:
    Chapeau to you all... The weather hasn't been brilliant this and the climbing is making me ill thinking about it sitting on the sofa! Was up braunton way a couple of times this week on the Tarka and still wasn't as quick. Pity there isn't a strava climbing challenge going on right now

    As far as the road goes, I only rode Braunton to Ilfracombe once, but drove it a couple of times. That is a seriously long slog! We had an early exit from Devon today so I didn't get to ride, thoroughly enjoyed the week though and can't wait to get back to try some routes I missed out on. I won't miss the road out of Ilfracombe heading south though, the thought of having to do that every day fills me with dread. I really enjoyed the Combe Martin climb though and some of the roads down there are super smooth.

    Might be heading back in August but will definitely be back next year.

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