Routes in Devon

charliew87

Few of us going on a mini cycling holiday to Devon later in the year.

Most likely to have 3 days for riding, probably looking to do 50-70 miles/day each day.

Will be based in Exeter and the South Hams, 2 nights in 1, 1 in the other.

Anyone got any good route suggestions? Was thinking one big day on Dartmoor, one in the South Hams and one around the Tarka Line.

Bobbinogs

Why not do a coast to coast? I was down in Devon last week for an audax that started in Uffculme and then went up to Watchet and headed down to Budleigh Salterton and back up. Absolutely fantasic route which was lumpy but not too much. Bit longer than what you are talking about though but I am sure you could modify (with a short drive to a start point from Exeter) to get just below the century.

johnsonmoog

If you want something to test your legs you could head out into Dartmoor. Park in or near to Chudleigh and then head to Bovey Tracey and on.

ransos1

The Sustrans C2C is about 100 miles IIRC. Lovely route for an easy 2-day tour. We stayed overnight in Oakhampton.

Pumpkin Positive

You're spoilt for choice around Exeter. Be sure to pack your climbing legs!

If you want hills head for Dartmoor, East Devon or South Hams.

Flatter routes along the valley's of Exe and Teign and along the Exe estuary (Powderham and Starcross)

South Hams: Be sure to take in Slapton Sands which is a joy because it's the only pancake flat stretch of road in Devon! Come back to Totnes via the ferry at Dartmouth (you'll need some loose change as they charge 50p or something for bikes). Be warned; the main roads in the South Hams get busy in summer months and the smaller roads are very narrow and (IMHO) they are too slow and dangerous to be enjoyable. This route is a good for the south hams and for the most part keeps you on reasonably quiet roads that are not too narrow / dangerous http://app.strava.com/activities/38815643

There is a really nice ride up the Exe Valley north of Exeter and then south along the river Exe and back via the Teign Valley - http://app.strava.com/activities/55054631

Dartmoor: from your best route onto Dartmoor is Longdown followed by Doccombe (both reasonable climbs to SW of Exeter) - follow signs for Moretonhampstead which is on the edge of Dartmoor. http://app.strava.com/activities/53768193

If you do head up to Dartmoor be sure to come home via Whiddon Down / Cheriton Bishop / Tedburn St Mary as it's a fabulous long decent on a really good surface along the OLD A30 (the new one is a dual carriageway - don't go there!).

Here is the route for 65mile Dartmoor Classic http://app.strava.com/activities/57693879 you could do a version from Exeter without too much difficulty.

charliew87

Have provisionally planned these three routes.
50-60 miles-ish each day, 4500ft of climbing or so.

Hoping for decent weather!

1 http://connect.garmin.com/course/4410506
2 http://connect.garmin.com/course/4410521#
3 http://connect.garmin.com/course/4410535

symo

Mid Devon Cycle Club Meet at Abbrook Park on Sundays at 0900 although best to be there for 0845

http://www.mdcc.org.uk/club-runs

charliew87

Heading off on Thursday, got a few route ideas planned. One round the south hams, one West dartmoor and one east dartmoor from exeter. Should be good, weather looks ok.

dartmoorscottydog

On the w.dartmoor route would suggest circumnavigating Burrator reservoir just before you get to Dousland and head up to Princetown. Four miles around the lake and extends your route by about 5 miles- worth it for the scenery! Good luck

FoldingJoe

Try the challenge route from here:

http://www.moor2sea.com/

charliew87

Got back yesterday, great trip. Some big hills, particularly from Kingswear up towards Paignton, leaving Totnes to the West, from Ashburton to Princetown, out of Widecombe and up to Moretonhampstead.

Great weather all 3 days, sun and no wind on Dartmoor was a massive stroke of luck!

Strava routes were as follows (also rented a GoPro, Magisto videos below).

1 Thurlestone > Dartmouth > Totnes > Thurlestone
http://app.strava.com/activities/80248440
http://www.magisto.com/video/ak1BJkEZFC8iVRNgCzE

2 Ashburton > Princetown > Widecombe > Ashburton
http://app.strava.com/activities/80500556
http://www.magisto.com/video/PQdEYEsZETlpUkJpYw

3 Exeter > Moretonhampstead > Exeter
http://app.strava.com/activities/80712700
http://www.magisto.com/video/MlsWMFMBBmEuVhFhCzE

Thanks for tips, Slapton, Dartmouth ferry, Widecombe climb and Whiddon Down descent were all highlights.