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Take the Tarka Trailor the West Country Way, or follow the Sustrans route touring country
lanes and moorland, but watch out for Porlock Hill!
Contrary
to first appearances, Exmoor and North Devon offer plenty of opportunity
for everyone including families and disabled people
to go cycling.
Cycling on Exmoor
Much of Exmoor may be discovered on bicycle. Quiet country lanes
leading to tiny hamlets and villages and a network of bridleways or special
trails offer differing experiences for the cyclist and mountain biker. Attend
a Bike Hike over moorland or through the Valley
of Rocks with a National Park
Ranger.
Although Exmoor is hilly, it is easy to plan cycle
routes along roads and lanes without taking in too many hills
The County Council has published the
Somerset Cycle Guide which contains both high quality mapping of the whole
county and all the information you need for planning a trip.
The long distance 'West Country Way' cycle route (Bristol to
Padstow) passes through some beautiful parts of Somerset. To purchase a copy
of the route, contact Sustrans. Tel: 0117 9268893.
There are also four published cycle routes available from Somerset Tourism or from most Tourist
Information Centres, who also have contact addresses for cycle hire companies.
If you are staying on or near Exmoor, a day cycling on the Tarka Trail or on
one of Biketrails' Exmoor routes is very rewarding and great fun for all the
family.
Route 3 of the National Cycle Network now passes through North
Devon joining the Tarka Trail at Petrockstowe and continues through Barnstaple onto Exmoor and runs along the edge of the moor before descending into Dulverton.
The whole area offers a series of quiet country lanes ideal
for exploring the local countryside.
West Country Way Route 3 of the National Cycle Network (Lands End to Bristol) passes through Somerset.
It enters the south west of the county from Tiverton (in Devon) heading east over Exmoor. Continues along canal towpaths and quiet lanes to Taunton and theSomerset Levels' to Glastonbury before the climb onto the Mendip Hills. The route then continues to Bristol.
The guide "The West Country Way" is available from Tourist Information Centres and Sustrans, 35 King Street, Bristol. BS1 4DZ. Telephone 0117 929 0888 www.sustrans.org.uk
There is a wide range of graded cycle routes in Tarka Country, with something to suit everyone, from the rather wobbly to the most experienced road or mountain biker. Off road routes away from busy traffic will appeal to families with young children, while there are longer on-road routes along quiet lanes which wind their way through peaceful countryside and historic villages. The Tarka Trail can be accessed only 7 miles from Country Ways at The Puffing Billy Pub just the other side of Torrington.
Map of cycle routes in Tarka Country
Mid Torridge Cycle Link:
This linking route connects the Tarka Trail Cycle/walkway at Petrockstowe, with the Sticklepath Cycle Route as it passes through Hatherleigh on its way towards Dartmoor. Combined these routes provide a complete south-north route from Dartmoor to the North Devon Coast. This attractive route takes in the villages of Petrockstowe and Sheepwash with their traditional cob walled, thatched cottages.
Sticklepath Cycle Route:
This signposted circular route starts and finishes at the National Trust's Finch Foundry at Sticklepath near Okehampton. It follows quiet country lanes, taking in delightful villages and passing many places of historic interest, all set against a backdrop of spectacular panoramic views of Dartmoor.
Tarka Trail:(Shown in yellow)
Thirty two miles of the Tarka Trail are a cycle/walkway, following the old railway line from Braunton on the coast, to Petrockstow deep in the heart of Tarka Country. This part of the Trail offers easy, flat, traffic-free cycling suitable for all the family around the wide expanse of the Taw/Torridge Estuary, before following the River Torridge inland.
Holsworthy-Black Torrington Cycle Route:
This ride passes through quiet hamlets connected by deep lanes with fascinating churches dating back to the 13th century.
Eggesford Forest:
The waymarked cycle route follows bridleways and forest tracks for an exhilarating off-road ride through Forestry Commission plantations. The route is not suitable for very young children or novice cyclists.
National Cycle Network No.3:
The National Cycle Network is a linked series of traffic-free paths and traffic-calmed roads being developed right across the United Kingdom. Route No.3 runs 250 miles from Bristol to Padstow. In Tarka Country, the route descends from Exmoor to follow the Tarka Trail Cycle/walkway from Barnstaple to Petrockstowe, and then rejoins lanes along the sections of the Mid Torridge Cycle Link and the Holsworthy-Black Torrington Cycle Route. on its way to Cornwall.
More Information:
Details of these routes can be found in a pack called `Cycling in Tarka Country' and a map of the National Cycle Network No.3. Both can be ordered from the Tarka Country Trust.
CYCLE HIRE
Bikarooni Cycle Hire - Pick up your bikes on the Tarka Trail or have them delivered to your holiday accommodation. 0845 456 1500 www.bikarooni.co.uk
Bideford Cycle Hire - Bideford Open all year. Direct access to the Tarka Trail from our depot. Tandems, trailors, and trikes for all the family Tel 01237 424123
Tarka Trail Cycle Hire at the railway station Barnstaple Cycle miles of beautiful traffic free cycle ways. The trail passes next to rivers, beaches, estuary and through outstanding countryside. Open 7 days a week Easter - October Tel 01271 324202
Otter Cycle Hire- Braunton Only 20 yards from the Tarka Trail Open March - November 9.00-5.00 Tel 01271 813339 Bikes
Torrington Cycle Hire at station yard Torrington Bikes for all the family. Booking strongly recommended. Tel 01805 622633
Crediton Cycle Hire - Crediton Tel 01363 774773
BIKETRAIL Tarka Trail 01271 861 424
Free Parking. Traffic Free. Situated directly on the Tarka Trail between Barnstaple and Instow. Bike and Bus link. Bike and Boat link to Appledore. Guided nature/birdspotting bike rides. Special needs bikes. Generous group discounts. Hire a bike for 2 days and get the third day free.
BIKETRAIL Lynton (Exmoor) 01598 753 987
Situated in the picturesque old village, near 2 car parks and the Museum. Collection and delivery service to our unique Exmoor bike routes. Guided bike safaris. Electric bikes. Special needs welcome. Spares, repairs, accessories. Top quality new bikes for sale.
Collection and delivery service on Exmoor. Car boot rack hire to explore own routes, with detailed maps of Exmoor provided free of charge. For more information please contact, Sally and Peirs Chapman-Walker.
Exmoor and Quantock MTB provide Self-guided route plans and GPS routes, individually designed for ability and stamina. Drop off at start points and emergency pick-ups.
Access to wash down and a fully equipped workshop. Suspension mountain bikes for hire.
Weekend or longer holidays with Self-catering accommodation available. Outdoor heated swimming pool.
Mountain Biking Weekends in Southern England, including Exmoor.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK -
Mountain bike hire situated near Tarka Trail & NCR's 3 + 27. Pick up/drop off and bike hire. www.off-the-beaten-track.co.uk
RIDE-ON SOUTHWEST CYCLE HIRE High quality bike hire and repairs. FREE delivery and collections. Extensive range of quality bikes. www.rideonsouthwest.co.uk
Contributed by:Tim
Holden, Susan Evans, Tim Harbury. Gill Pauling
Community Section
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