Long Distance Trail Ride - South West C2C (c 99 miles)
Details
FOR LOGISTIC REASONS WE HAVE DECIDED TO LIMIT THIS EVENT TO SIX PLACES. NOW FULL ONCE AGAIN!
Long distance trail rides are a fantastic experience but whether riding on your own or in a group do take some organisation and logistics to bring things together. We have made this one easy!
Leaving Ilfracombe, the route travels south and takes you on a traffic-free path before joining quiet roads that provide superb views of Braunton.
At Braunton, the route starts a 30-mile traffic-free section on almost entirely level former railway lines beside the beautiful Taw and Torridge estuaries via Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington to the villages of Petrockstowe and Meeth, the Tarka trail. Next you’ll head further south to Okehampton on quiet roads.
The route from there to Lydford is known as the Granite Way. Between Tavistock and Plymouth the Devon Coast to Coast route is known as the Drake's Trail. This has recently been developed into a fully traffic-free stretch of National Cycle Route with the addition of the dizzying Gem Bridge.
Picture above from a South West Coast to Coast ride we did in 2019.
So, back to organisation and logistics for a moment. Participants need to be on the Ilfracombe sea front ready to go at 8am on Saturday 11th having secured their vehicle in long term parking to be retrieved Sunday evening. Ilfracombe have a pretty good scheme for this with day rates as low as £4.40. We suspect most will take the sensible course to overnight in Ilfracombe so can join us for a meal/bevy Friday night and have a relaxed start to the day.
We cycle to Okehampton on the Saturday where if open we can stay over in the YHA or camping if preferred. There are plenty of other options for hotels and B & B 's
We then set off for Plymouth on the Sunday around 9am expecting to arrive mid to late afternoon.
We have a crew van waiting for us in Plymouth to transport the six bikes and six people back to Ilfracombe. A contribution to share the fuel cost only will be required on the day. QED!
Maximum of 6 and that would be a great number as allows for some faster and some slower without anyone getting left behind. Your host may well be walking up some of the hills so don't be put off because you think you are not fit enough. Superheroes are welcome but not expected. E-bikes also fine as long as you are not expecting to choose "sport" selection and for others to keep up with you.
No obligation for lycra and most bikes fine, hybrids for preference as may be some bumpy trails as well as quiet lanes. Minimal main roads but some are definitely necessary.
Whilst we shall try and co-ordinate our accommodation on the Saturday night it is clearly not essential as Okehampton has plenty on offer.
There are inevitable costs to the organisers for arranging something like this so we are making a registration charge of just £20pp to cover part of that but all accommodation, food and transport costs need to be met by the individuals taking part.
The registration charge will be refunded in full in the unlikely event of the event not going ahead.
Let's do it!
Queries or suggestions: