It is difficult to prepare adequately for the challenge of cycling from Devon to Venice as the terrain, first across France's Normandy, Loire Valley and Massif Central, then through the pre-alpine hills to the Alps themselves, and finally across northern Italy, is varied in the extreme. Devon, our home, however, provides pretty testing cycling as nowhere is flat, and the hills that surround us, though not high, are sharp and usually fairly insistent. Then, of course, we also have both Dartmoor and Exmoor almost on our doorstep, providing not only great, tough training terrain, but also stunning scenery. If you've never cycled in Devon, we urge you to visit the most beautiful county in England, and bring your bike with you. You won't regret it.
All of our cycles start (and usually finish) in our home town of Topsham, located about 5 miles downriver from Exeter along the beautiful Exe estuary. However, most of these rides can be joined or adapted to start and finish from other places.
If you have any queries about cycling in Devon, please don't hesitate to get in contact with me at: mmillon@mail.zynet.co.uk.
Mamhead, the highest point on the Haldon Hills west of Topsham (279 metres above sea level), is our most challenging local hill, and provides the core for much of our hard hill training. This 48 mile route climbs the bugger twice (excuse my language, but it's the only way to describe it), so it is definitely for masochists.
The North Devon Horseshoe, our route for the Ride for Life Challenge, is a glorious century ride that follows the Exe Valley up to the roof of Exmoor, crosses the moor, then returns to Topsham by way of South Moulton and Crediton. The only tough bit is the middle climb, but the effort is well worth it for the views and scenery of Exmoor.
Topsham to the Tors of Dartmoor
A classic horseshoe route which rewards a fairly testing ride to Moretonhampstead with a glorious stretch across the heart of Dartmoor passing the dramatic granite rock formations of Hound Tor and Haytor, returning through Bovey Tracey and the beautiful and undiscovered Teign Valley.
A Three-Day Tour of Exmoor and Dartmoor (or From Sea to Shining Sea)
Kim and I recently enjoyed this magnificent 200 mile three day tour on our Dawes tandem. The ride follows the Exe Valley by way of Tiverton, then climbs to the roof of Exmoor from Dulverton before plunging down to the sea at the picturesque North Devon seaside village of Lynmouth where we stayed overnight. Day Two is a hard cycle from Lynmouth back up to Exmoor, then down to the sea again at Barnstaple and Bideford, before crossing the rolling mid-Devon hills between Torrington and Okehampton to Tavistock, and a final lung-sapping climb to the Dartmoor hamlet of Two Bridges. The final day provides a glorious cycle across the middle of Dartmoor, before following the unspoiled Teign Valley, up and over to the Exe Valley, and finally down to the South Devon coast at Budleigh Salterton for a well-earned cup of tea at that genteel and rather dated seaside resort. Any of these rides can be enjoyed as one-offs, but you would then need back up as they are not indivually circular.
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