7 Cycle Rides around North and Mid Devon, Part 2

7 Cycle Rides around North and Mid Devon • Interlinked Routes • No Map Reading • Unique Design - Easy to Follow while Riding

Part 2 Devised and Written by Bryan Cath

Cycle Routes around Nor th and Mid Introduction This booklet is Part 2 of 14 cycle rides around North and Mid Devon, 13 of which are based on the Tarka Trail.

The Tarka Trail is a cycle and walking route that follows the old railway lines that used to go from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe and Barnstaple to Meeth in mid Devon. It provides easy cycling along surfaced routes through some beautiful scenery.

This book gives you circular rides which use the Tarka Trail as the link between these routes. They follow parts of the trail, quiet country lanes and tracks which pass by some places of interest to visit or places to eat.

You can join routes together to create a longer ride, or take shortcuts on others to give rides suitable for children.

The Exmoor Challenge (Part 1 booklet) is a mainly off-road route following small roads and bridleways across Exmoor.

You will need a mountain bike and some ability to ride over rough terrain. It is worth the effort for the excellent scenery and challenge. This route also passes places to eat and rest along the way. The last 6 miles are over the moor and a little more remote.

I wrote these routes while cycling them myself. I have designed the description of the routes so that you can follow them from the graphic interpretation of the junctions. You are always cycling up the graphic from the dot to the arrow. Ideally you need to put this book in a handlebar clip or bag with a window for a map.It is always sensible to take the OS map mentioned in the route details with you.

Having run cycling and walking holidays since 1987 I have got to know the area really well, so hopefully you will enjoy the routes as much as I did when I rode them. I have had plenty of people ride these routes and found them really easy to follow.

I hope you enjoy them.

Bryan Cath Copyright Š Bryan Cath, 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder and Publisher. www.combewalks.com Twitter: @bryancath; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ExmoorWalking-Festival/264423586917341

1

Devon Route 6 Fremington Quay to Torrington circular 23.5 miles, 12.2 off-road (with shortcuts) 13.3 An estuary and river ride with plenty of off-road and an undulating countryside return

Route 7 Great Torrington via the Tarka Trail and Sheepwash circular 24.9 miles, 9.5 off-road Enjoy the quieter section of the Tarka Trail cycleway and visit some lovely villages

Route 7a, East Yarde start East Yarde via the Tarka Trail and Sheepwash circular 21.6 miles, 6.1 off-road Enjoy the quieter section of the Tarka Trail cycleway and visit some lovely villages

Route 8 Bradworthy via Kilkhampton circular 11.7 miles, none off-road An easier and shorter ride with one short section of main road

Route 9 Holsworthy via the Lower Tamar Lake circular 17.1 miles, 0.5 off-road A gently undulating ride with a half way break by the Lower Tamar Lake

2

Route 10 Holsworthy via Black Torrington circular 23.3 miles, none off-road Steady with some short climbs and descents.Some main road riding

Route 11 Holsworthy via Boyton circular 21.4 miles, 1.0 off-road (with shortcut) 10.9 An attractive ride, the first loop being easier than the hillier second section

3

4

Route 6

Always go straight

Fremington Quay via Bideford, Great Torrington, Gammaton Moor, Yelland and back to Fremington Quay, 23.5 miles, 12.2 miles off-road. This route can make a shorter ride of 13.3 to Bideford.

This ride starts at the restored Fremington Quay with a good cycle hire operator located there as well as a delightful cafĂŠ in the old station. It then follows the cycleway of the Tarka Trail through Bideford Station, over the old iron bridge on the River Torridge, through a tunnel and on past the Rolle Canal bridge where Tarka the Otter was born and later died. Soon you pass Beam Weir, a good place to see heron fishing before reaching Great Torrington Station, now a pub called the Puffing Billy. You leave the Tarka Trail here and climb the hill into the town and find the amazing attraction depicting the Civil War of 1646. It is anything but boring - it is great fun and worth the visit. On leaving Great Torrington you pass near the Dartington Crystal factory, but remember you are on bikes so it may be sensible to return here by car if you want to buy anything! The route now becomes fairly undulating as it returns through Gammaton Moor and on to Horwood Church before dipping under the main road to enter the back of Fremington and back to the Quay.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

1

00.00 00.00

Leave Fremington Quay in the Bideford direction, crossing the river bridge Route 4 enters here

2

03.70 03.70

Instow pass through short tunnel and then over road at level crossing. Visit the restored signal box

3

02.70 06.40

4

01.80 08.20

Bideford Station there is an interpretation centre and cafe in the carriage. Continue ahead unless taking shortcut, then go back right to road having crossed the River Torridge by the old iron bridge, you come to another tunnel. Pass through and continue ahead

5

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

5

02.40 10.60

at the next bridge over the R. Torridge, stop & look to the L. Rolle Canal Bridge and Tarka’s birthplace

6

00.90 11.50

Puffing Billy, G. Torrington station, at end of platform TR up to road and TL over bridge Route 7 starts & ends here

7

00.10 11.60

other side of the bridge, there is a path off to the L for an off-road option to the main road

8

00.40 12.00

top of hill, car park and toilets on L. The off-road path brings you here

9

00.50 12.50

to visit the town and 1646 attraction TR here, otherwise continue ahead

10

00.10 12.60

TL SP Dartington Crystal, Weare Giffard, opposite church

11

00.10 12.70

if you want to visit Dartington Crystal attraction/cafe TL into Linden Close, otherwise SO

6

Route 6 Distance (miles)

Always go straight Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

12

00.30 13.00

TR and immediately bear L SP Gammaton

13

03.20 16.20

Gammaton Moor Cross SO SP Horwood

14

00.10 16.30

bear R towards Horwood

15

00.90 17.20

Webbery SO SP Horwood

16

01.40 18.60

Horwood TL SP Eastleigh, Bideford

17

00.80 19.40

TR SP Barnstaple

18

00.90 20.30

Holmacott continue SO to pass under main road ahead

7

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

19

01.30 21.60

TL SP Fremington Route 4 leaves here

20

01.20 22.80

on reaching the main road, TL and then R down the footpath to the Tarka Trail

21

00.50 23.30

TR on to Tarka Trail and cross bridge

22

00.90 23.50

Fremington Quay refreshments and toilets.

I hope you enjoyed this ride.

Further Information Car parking: Park at Fremington Quay Local Tourist Information Centres: Barnstaple TIC (01271) 375000 Bideford TIC (01237) 477676 Torrington TIC (01805) 626140 Cycle Hire operators: Bike Trail Cycle Hire, Fremington Quay (01271) 372586 Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington (01805) 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000

8

Route 6

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route

Picnic site

River

Adjoining Routes

� Church

Hill, pointing downhill

4

Food

T �

Woodland

Toilets

6

Telephone

Route 6 Statistics: Distance: 23.5 miles Height lost/gained: 612m Highest Point: 146m Lowest Point: 0m

7

T

Ri

Fremington Quay

w r Ta ve

� Fremington

Instow

T

2

dg e

To

19

rri

�

�

17

18

e4 out ut/R c t r Eastleigh ho

Route 4 leaves here enters here

�

s

Bideford

Horwood

16

3 15

Gammaton Moor

13

Weare Giffard

5 6 12 Route 7 leaves and returns here

9

10

Great Torrington

�

T�

N

4

Tunnel

�

20

Tunnel

Riv e

r

1

on unless otherwise directed Notes for Route 6

12m 6m

50m

100m

150m

0m

3m

2

3

4

9m

5

6

8

12

15m

13

15

18m

16

17

18

21m

19

Route Profile

10

Route 7

Always go straight

Great Torrington, Watergate Bridge, Shebbear, Sheepwash, Petrockstowe, Tarka Trail and back to Great Torrington 24.9 miles, 9.5 miles off-road, no shortcuts.

This ride takes in the more remote section of the Tarka Trail cycleway, passing through tranquil countryside and neglected old stations. Leaving Great Torrington Station, the ride crosses the River Torridge into lush woodland soon arriving at Watergate Bridge. Here the ride leaves the trail to follow undulating country lanes out to pretty Shebbear and then returning to the River Torridge valley. The ride then goes to beautiful Sheepwash and on through Petrockstowe to return to the far end of the Tarka Trail. The ride finishes with an easy cycle along the old railway back to Watergate and Great Torrington.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

1

00.00 00.00

2

01.70 01.70

Watergate Bridge leave the Tarka Trail here and TR on to road

3

00.30 02.00

Gortlage TL SP Peters Marland, Shebbear

4

00.60 02.60

at fork bear R SP Collacott

5

01.40 04.00

Cudemoor Cross at XR TR SP Shebbear, Black Torrington

Pub

11

Puffing Billy pub and Torridge Cycle Hire. Leave the old station to pass under the road bridge and over the river Route 6 enters & leaves here

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

6

01.80 05.80

Badworthy Moor Cross TR SP Newton St Petrock

7

00.60 06.40

TR towards the Chapel SP Stibb Cross, Langtree, Torrington

8

00.10 06.50

Rowden Chapel TL by Chapel SP Newton St Petrock

9

00.60 07.10

Ladford TL

10

00.20 07.30

TR

11

00.40 07.70

Caute TL by telephone box SP Shebbear

12

01.10 08.80

Shebbear continue SO SP Black Torrington, Sheepwash, Holsworthy

13

00.80 09.60

New Inn at XR go SO SP Black Torrington, Sheepwash

14

02.10 11.70

at TJ TR SP Black Torrington, Sheepwash

12

Route 7 Distance (miles)

Always go straight Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

15

00.20 11.90

TL before river SP Sheepwash, NCN3 Route 10 enters here

16

01.10 13.00

Sheepwash TL at the Square SP Petrockstowe, Peters Marland, NCN3

17

01.80 14.80

Hembury Gate TR SP Petrockstowe, Torrington, NCN3

18

01.60 16.40

North Town at XR go SO SP Merton, Hatherleigh, NCN3

19

00.70 17.10

Petrockstowe Station TL on to Tarka Trail cycleway, NCN3 and continue along it

20

06.10 23.20

Watergate Bridge cross over road and continue along Tarka Trail cycleway

21

01.70 24.90

Pub

Puffing Billy pub and Torridge Cycle Hire I hope you enjoyed this ride.

13

on unless otherwise directed

Tarka Trail sign

Further Information Car parking: Park in the Puffing Billy pub car park to be found on the A386 between Bideford and Gt. Torrington.

Local Tourist Information Centres: Great Torrington Tourist Information Centre, 01805 626140 Cycle Hire operators: Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington, 01805 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180 & 190, 1:50,000

14

Route 7

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes

Route

Picnic site

River

Adjoining Routes

� Church

Hill, pointing downhill

6

Food

T �

Woodland

Toilets Telephone 7

Route 7 Statistics: Distance: 24.9 miles Height lost/gained: 573m Highest Point: 174m Lowest Point: 16m

10

Route 6 enters here leaves here

1 & 21

T

Riv

Great Torrington

er Torridge

Watergate Bridge

2 & 20

4 5

Tarka

cleway cy

N 11

Tr a il

8

6

�

9

East Yarde

19

�

Station

12

�

18

17

Petrockstowe

Shebbear

�

13

� 14 Route 10 leaves here enters here

15

15

� 16 Sheepwash

50m

100m

150m

200m

0m

2 3

4

3m

6

6m

7

9

10 12

9m

13

14

12m

15

17 15m

18

19

20 18m

21m

21 24m

on unless otherwise directed

Route Profile

Notes for Route 7

16

Route 7a

Always go straight

East Yarde, Watergate Bridge, Shebbear, Sheepwash, Petrockstowe, Tarka Trail and back to East Yarde, 21.6 miles, 6.1 miles off-road, no shortcuts.

This ride takes in the more remote section of the Tarka Trail cycleway, passing through tranquil countryside and neglected old stations. Leaving East Yarde, the ride follows the Tarka Trail along the old railway track, soon arriving at Watergate Bridge. Here the ride leaves the trail to follow undulating country lanes out to pretty Shebbear and then returning to the River Torridge valley. The ride then goes to beautiful Sheepwash and on through Petrockstowe to meet up with the Tarka Trail again. The ride finishes with an easy cycle along the old railway back to East Yarde.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

1

00.00 00.00

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Cafe Bunk House

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

Leave East Yarde to cross the road on to the Tarka Trail

2

02.80 02.80

Watergate Bridge pass through car park, leave the Tarka Trail here and TL on to road

3

00.30 03.10

Gortlage TL SP Peters Marland, Shebbear

4

00.60 03.70

at fork bear R SP Collacott

5

01.40 05.10

Cudemoor Cross at XR TR SP Shebbear, Black Torrington

17

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

6

01.80 06.90

Badworthy Moor Cross TR SP Newton St Petrock

7

00.60 07.50

TR towards the Chapel SP Stibb Cross, Langtree, Torrington

8

00.10 07.60

Rowden Chapel TL by Chapel SP Newton St Petrock

9

00.60 08.20

Ladford TL

10

00.20 08.40

TR

11

00.40 08.80

Caute TL by telephone box SP Shebbear

12

01.10 09.90

Shebbear continue SO SP Black Torrington, Sheepwash, Holsworthy

13

00.80 10.70

New Inn at XR go SO SP Black Torrington, Sheepwash

14

02.10 12.80

at TJ TR SP Black Torrington, Sheepwash

18

Route 7a Distance (miles)

Always go straight

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

15

00.20 13.00

TL before river SP Sheepwash, NCN3 Route 10 enters here

16

01.10 14.10

Sheepwash TL at the Square SP Petrockstowe, Peters Marland, NCN3

17

01.80 15.90

Hembury Gate TR SP Petrockstowe, Torrington, NCN3

18

01.60 17.50

North Town at XR go SO SP Merton, Hatherleigh, NCN3

19

00.70 18.20

Petrockstowe Station TL on to Tarka Trail cycleway, NCN3 and continue along it

20

03.30 21.60

East Yarde, TL through bridle gate back to the start point

Cafe Bunk House

19

I hope you enjoyed this ride.

on unless otherwise directed

Sheepwash

Further Information Car Parking: From Great Torrington roundabout by the fire station, take the A386 towards Hatherleigh. After 2.9 miles turn right towards Peters Marland and follow this road for 0.8 miles to East Yarde. Turn left into car park.

Local Tourist Information Centres: Great Torrington Tourist Information Centre, 01805 626140 Cycle Hire Operators: Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington, 01805 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180 & 190, 1:50,000

20

Route 7a

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route

Picnic site

River

 Church

Hill, pointing downhill

Food

T 

Woodland

Toilets

Adjoining Routes Same as Route 7 but starts at East Yarde Cafe

6

Telephone 7a

Route 12 Statistics: Distance: 21.6 miles Height lost/gained: 490m Highest Point: 174m Lowest Point: 61m

10

Route 6 enters here leaves here

T Riv

er T orridge

Watergate Bridge

Great Torrington

2

4 1 & 20

5

a Trail rk c Ta

East Yarde

N 8

ay

11

yc le w

6



9

19



Station

12



18

17

Petrockstowe

Shebbear



13

 14 Route 10 leaves here enters here

21

15

 16 Sheepwash

on unless otherwise directed Notes for Route 7a

9m 3m

50m

100m

150m

200m

0m

2 3

4

6

6m

7

9

10 12

13

14

12m

15

17

15m

18

19

18m

21m

Route Profile

22

Route 8

Always go straight

Bradworthy via Kilkhampton, Thurdon, the Tamar Lakes, Wrangworthy and back to Bradworthy. 11.7 miles, no offroad.

This ride starts in the delightful village of Bradworthy with its large village square overlooked by its impressive church. The ride follows quiet country lanes with glimpses of the Upper Tamar Lake. After a short sharp drop into the River Tamar valley the ride continues fairly easily to a main road. It then follows this wide main road as it goes through Kilkhampton, giving a good opportunity for a refreshment stop. The ride then undulates back towards the Lower Tamar Lake before becoming easier as one returns to Bradworthy.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

1

00.00 00.00

By the XR, TL SP Kilkhampton, Bude, to pass the Garage

2

00.30 00.30

Bradworthy Mill TL SP Kilkhampton, Bude

3

01.20 01.50

Stowford Cross SO SP Kilkhampton, Bude

4

02.00 03.50

TL SP ‘Kilk’

5

01.10 04.60

Taylor’s Cross TL SP A39, Kilkhampton, Bude. Beware main road. The road is wide and 30mph restriction is within 1/2 mile.

23

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

6

01.10 05.70

Kilkhampton TL SP B3254, Launceston

7

00.50 06.20

TL SP Bradworthy, Tamar Lakes

8

01.80 08.00

Thurdon TL SP Upper Tamar Lake, Bradworthy Route 9 leaves here

9

01.80 09.80

Enns Cross SO SP Bradworthy, Bideford

10

00.40 10.20

Bradworthy Cross TL then R SP Wrangworthy, Waterland

11

01.30 11.50

TL SP Bradworthy

12

00.10 11.60

TR towards Bradworthy

13

00.10 11.70

Bradworthy Square I hope you enjoyed this ride.

24

Route 8

Always go straight

Further Information Car parking: Park in the large Square in the centre of Bradworthy and start the ride by going down the road by the Garage Local Tourist Information Centres: Holsworthy Visitor Centre, The Square Tel (01409) 254185 Cycle Hire operators: none in Holsworthy Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington Tel (01805) 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 190, 1:50,000

25

on unless otherwise directed

Tarka Trail near Fremington

26

Route 8

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route

Picnic site

Rivers

� Church

Hill, pointing downhill

T �

Telephone

�

11

12

8

Toilets

Route 8 Statistics: Distance: 11.7 miles Height lost/gained: 268m Highest Point: 200m Lowest Point: 138m

Bradworthy 1

9

Food

Woodland

�

Adjoining Routes

Wrangworthy

2 10

N 9

3 DEVON

Stowford

Lower Tamar Lake Alfardisworthy

Upper Tamar Lake

Thurdon

�

River Tamar

Route 9 enters here leaves here

4 CORNWALL

7

5

�

�

Kilkhampton

27

8

6

on unless otherwise directed Notes for Route 8

10 8 7 130m

150m

170m

190m

210m

0m

2

3

2m

4

4m

5

6

6m

8m

9

10m

12

Route Profile

28

Route 9

Always go straight

Holsworthy via Sutcombe, Lower Tamar Lake, Thurdon, Chilsworthy and back to Holsworthy. 17.1 miles, 0.5 miles off-road, no shortcuts.

This ride follows some small, quiet country lanes that undulate through small hamlets and farmsteads. At about the halfway point the ride visits the Lower Tamar Lake, which is an ideal spot for a picnic and toilet stop. The ride then continues beside the lake before returning to small lanes, crossing a section of unrestored Bude Canal before passing through a lovely village and an easy return back to Holsworthy.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

1

00.00 00.00

2

00.30 00.30

3

00.20 00.50

4

03.00 03.50

TR SP Cycle Route

5

00.70 04.20

Honeycroft Cross TL SP Sutcombe, Bradworthy

29

leave Holsworthy Square and TL on to main road A388 towards Bideford Routes 10 & 11 start & finish here at roundabout go SO on A388

TL SP Hospital, NCN3 and then immediately R SP Hospital

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

6

00.10 04.30

TR SP Cycle Route

7

00.60 04.90

Thuborough Cross TL SP Sutcombe, Bradworthy, Cycle Route

8

01.00 05.90

at Ham Lane go SO SP Soldon

9

01.60 07.50

Soldon Cross Beware: poor visibility on junction SO SP Cycle Route

10

02.00 09.50

TR SP Lower Tamar Lake

11

00.10 09.60

go into car park and TL at far end to follow path beside lake. Picnic area

12

00.50 10.10

13

00.40 10.50

Thurdon TL SP Lower Tamar Lake Route 8 enters here

14

01.80 12.30

Broomhill Cross TL SP Pancreasweek, Sutcombe, Holsworthy

Upper Tamar Lake

at end of path go through gate and TL on to road Route 8 leaves here

30

Route 9 Distance (miles)

Always go straight Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

15

00.30 12.60

Dunsdon Cross TR SP Pancreasweek

16

00.40 13.00

Gains Cross TL SP Chilsworthy, Holsworthy

17

01.20 14.20

Rhude Cross TR SP Holsworthy

18

00.10 14.30

Rhude Cross TL SP Holsworthy, Chilsworthy

19

00.40 14.70

20

02.10 16.80

on reaching the main road (A3072) bear L

21

00.20 17.00

TR SP NCN3

22

00.10 17.10

23

00.00 17.10

Coldharbour TR SP Holsworthy

continue ahead up green cycle lane NCN3

bear L into Holsworthy Square I hope you enjoyed this ride.

31

on unless otherwise directed

Roadford Lake

Further Information Car parking: Park in the Main Holsworthy Memorial Hall car park and leave by the arch towards the Square Local Tourist Information Centres: Holsworthy Visitor Centre, The Square Tel (01409) 254185 Cycle Hire operators: none in Holsworthy Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington Tel (01805) 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 190, 1:50,000

32

Route 9

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route

Picnic site

Rivers

� Church

Hill, pointing downhill Woodland

9

Food

T �

Toilets Telephone

10

Route 9 Statistics: Distance: 17.1miles Height lost/gained: 369m Highest Point: 188m Lowest Point: 112m

13

�

Thurdon

11

Route 8 enters here leaves here

12 Lower Tamar Lake

T

Adjoining Routes

8

10

�

Sutcombe

9

8

15

14

6

16

4 7

5 17

N 19 Chilsworthy

20

2

21

Holsworthy T CP Square

�

1

33

3

Routes 10 & 11 both start and finish from Holsworthy Square

Holsworthy

100m

125m

150m

175m

200m

0m

3

2m

4

6

4m

7

8

6m

9

8m

10

12 13 10m

14 15 16 12m

17 19 14m

16m

20

on unless otherwise directed

Route Profile

Notes for Route 9

34

Route 10

Always go straight

Holsworthy via Halwill Junction, Black Torrington, Cookbury and back to Holsworthy. 23.3 miles, none off-road.

Here is a good circular ride suitable for the more experienced cyclists starting from Holsworthy. It takes you through typical mid Devon rolling countryside, pretty villages and farmsteads. The ride includes some gentle hills as well as a few short sharp descents and ascents as one passes over small rivers. There are some lovely small churches which are well worth a visit as one goes through the villages.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

1

00.00 00.00

Go to far end of Square from the car park.

TR out of Holsworthy Square. Route 11 leaves

2

00.30 00.30

Coles Mill Bridge SO A388.

Route 11 joins here

3

00.30 00.60

Whimble Cross TL into Staddon Road SP Cycle Route, Hollacombe

4

01.50 02.10

Combesdown Cross TR SP Hollacombe

5

00.50 02.60

Hollacombe Cross Bear R then L SP Halwill, Okehampton

6

01.60 04.20

Hillside TL SP Halwill, Okehampton, Cycle Route

35

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

7

00.30 04.50

Ignore Cycle Route SP

8

00.30 04.80

Morcombe Cross TR B3218. Take Care here, faster traffic.

Main road for 2.6 miles

9

00.60 05.40

Cookworthy Moor Forestry Comm. TL here for picnic area only

10

02.00 07.40

The Junction Inn TL SP Hatherleigh, Black Torrington into Chilla Rd

11

01.00 08.40

Chilla Chapel SO SP Black Torrington, Highampton

12

01.50 09.90

Graddon Cross TL

13

00.80 10.70

Kingsmoor Cross SO SP Shebbear Beware, main road

14

00.90 11.60

Highweek Cross TR SP Coham, Black Torrington Shortcut: TL and then R down hill. At end TL to direction 21

36

Route 10 Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Always go straight Directions and Instructions

01.20 12.80

Black Torrington TL SP Sheepwash

16

00.50 13.30

SO SP Shebbear, Stibb Cross.

Route 7 leaves here

17

00.30 13.60

TL SP New Inn

18

00.40 14.00

TL SP Libbear, Bradford.

Route 7 joins here

19

00.50 14.50

Libbear Cross SO SP Dipper Well, Bradford

20

00.70 15.20

Dipper Mill TL SP Cookbury, Holsworthy

21

01.30 16.50

Holemoor Bear 2nd R SP Cookbury, Cycle Route

22

01.10 17.60

Cookbury TL past church SP Anvil Corner, Holsworthy

23

02.60 20.20

Upcott Cross TR SP Holsworthy Beacon, Thornbury, NCN3

15

37

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

24

00.80 21.00

Blagdonmoor Cross TL SP Cycle Route, Blagdonmoor Wharf

25

01.70 22.70

Stanbury Cross TL SP Cycle Route, Holsworthy, A388.

Route 9 leaves next R

26

00.30 23.00

SO SP A388, Town Centre

27

00.30 23.30

TR into Holsworthy Square I hope you enjoyed this ride.

Further Information Car parking: The car park is off the A388 opposite the church.

Walk through to the Square to find the Visitor Centre and shops. The ride starts from the far end of the Square by Barclays Bank.

Local Tourist Information Centres: Holsworthy Visitor Centre, The Square (01409) 254185 Cycle Hire operators: none in Holsworthy Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington (01805) 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 190, 1:50,000

38

Route 10

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route

Adjoining Routes

Picnic site

Rivers

7

� Church

Hill, pointing downhill

Food

Woodland

T �

10

Toilets Telephone 9

Route 7 enters here leaves here

Route 10 Statistics: Distance: 23.3 miles Height lost/gained: 589m Highest Point: 191m Lowest Point: 74m

16 17

� R. Torrid ge

18 19 20

11

Black Torrington

15

N 12

tc

or

sh

Halwill Junction

13

14 ut

11

10

21 Holemoor

Cookworthy Moor

9

�

Cookbury

8

22

7

� 23 24

Route 9 enters here leaves here

5

Hollacombe

4

Holsworthy 25

39

6

26 1 27

3 2

�T

�

Route 11 enters here leaves here

100m

150m

200m

2

0m

4

5

3m

6

8

9

6m

10

11

9m

12

13

14

12m

15 15m

19

22 18m

23

24

25 21m

27

on unless otherwise directed

Route Profile

Notes for Route 10

40

Route 11

Always go straight

Holsworthy via Pyworthy, North Tamerton, Boyton, Chapmans Well, Tetcott and back to Holsworthy. 21.4 miles, 1 mile off-road. This ride can be shortened to 10.9 miles by avoiding the harder second section.

This ride starts nice and easy as it crosses the old viaduct that carried the railway out of Holsworthy Station, continuing for about a mile before returning to small roads. It continues on a fairly level route to the short cut turning where you can decide to ride the short or long route. The longer route becomes more hilly as it crosses into Cornwall and back into Devon again. There is a very short section of main road riding before continuing through small hamlets back to meet the shorter route. The route climbs before levelling out and then dropping back to Holsworthy.

Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route.

Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan You are at

Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right

1

00.00 00.00

leave the Memorial Hall car park towards the Square through the arch by the Visitor Centre Routes 9 & 10 start & finish here

2

00.00 00.00

TR out of the arch and take the exit from the Square in the corner ahead

The Square

3

00.10 00.10

go ahead ignoring Victoria St on L and TL into Glebe Lane (pavement)

4

00.10 00.20

at XR go SO into Westcroft Road

5

00.00 00.20

TL into Deer Valley Road, SP NCN3

41

on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Directions and Instructions

on swinging right-hand bend, TL down cycleway between bungalows, SP NCN3 TR on to viaduct and follow cycleway

6

00.20 00.40

7

00.10 00.50

8

00.60 01.10

when cycleway ends, go through gate and TL over old bridge up farm lane

9

00.20 01.30

on reaching road, TR towards Pyworthy SP NCN3

10

00.90 02.20

Pyworthy TL SP N Tamarton

11

00.70 02.90

Broadshill Cross SO SP N Tamarton

12

00.40 03.30

Brookshouse Cross TR

13

02.70 06.00

SO SP Launceston, N Tamarton (shortcut: TL SP Clawton, go to 21)

14

00.40 06.40

North Tamarton TL SP Boyton

15

03.50 09.90

TL SP Boyton

42

Route 11 Distance (miles)

Junction Layout Plan

Always go straight Directions and Instructions

16

00.40 10.30

Boyton TL SP Northcott

17

02.60 12.90

Chapmans Well Beware, main road TL SP Holsworthy A388, cycle route

18

00.10 13.00

Peeke Moor Cross TL SP Luffincott

19

01.20 14.20

bear R SP Tetcott, cycle route

20

01.00 15.20

Tetcott Village TL SP N Tamarton, cycle route

21

01.50 16.70

Commons Gate (shortcut continues here) TR SP Corfcott Green, Clawton

22

01.60 18.30

Corfcott Green Continue SO

23

02.80 21.10

Coles Mill Bridge TL on to A388 and follow up hill under old railway bridge

24

00.30 21.40

bear L into Holsworthy Square I hope you enjoyed this ride.

43

on unless otherwise directed

Cycling the Tarka Trail

Further Information Car parking: Park in the Main Holsworthy Memorial Hall car park and leave by the arch towards the Square Local Tourist Information Centres: Holsworthy Visitor Centre, Memorial Hall (01409) 254185 Cycle Hire operators: none in Holsworthy Torridge Cycle Hire, Great Torrington (01805) 622633 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 190, 1:50,000

44

Route 11

Always go straight

Route Map with Interlinking Routes

Route

Adjoining Routes

Picnic site

Rivers

� Church

Hill, pointing downhill

9

Food

Woodland

T �

Toilets

10

Telephone

Route 11 Statistics: Distance: 21.4 miles Height lost/gained: 555m Highest Point: 170m Lowest Point: 71m

11

8 10

� 24 Viaduct

Chasty

7

Corfcott Green

22

N

13

North Tamarton

�

14

Holsworthy Square

Route 9 & 10 both start and finish at Holsworthy Square

11

12

21 shortcut

Tetcott

�

�

20

Lana

19

Chapmans Well

18 17

15

�

Boyton 16

45

T

CP

23

9

�

Pyworthy

3

5

�

175m 150m 125m 100m 75m

0m

7

9

10

2m

12

4m

14

6m

8m

10m

15 16

12m

17

19

14m

20

16m

21

22

18m

20m

23

on unless otherwise directed

Route Profile

Notes for Route 11

46

Map of interlinking routes Ilfracombe

1 3

2

Part 1

Braunton

4

Barnstaple

5

Bideford

6 Bradworthy

Great Torrington

8 Kilkhampton

9

North

Holsworthy

11

7

10

Part 2 Devon

All routes are covered by Ordnance Survey Landranger maps 180 & 190

A collection of circular cycle rides, suitable for hybrid and road bikes, with some off-road riding on some routes. The rides are based around the Tarka Trail and interlink with the neighbouring rides.

Published and written by Combe Walks Copyright Š Bryan Cath, 2012 www.combewalks.com