Matt Freake wrote:
On 26 Mar, 13:05, " cupra" wrote:
Matt Freake wrote:
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had experience of travelling to-and-from
the Devon-Coast-to-Coast by train. Some friends and I are thinking
of doing it and wondered how others have handled the start.

The start of the route is Ilfracombe, but the nearest station is 20
miles away (Barnstaple) albeit on the route. If you take a more
direct route to Ilfracombe it cuts it down to 13 miles. Is this
shorter route reasonably cycle-friendly, or is it better to stick
to the official route (and get a bit bored by having to do it twice
:-)

Are there any other cunning options that people have discovered
(buses which take bikes, teleporters, that kind of thing)

Many thanks in advance,

Matt

I haven't cycled the roads but I do know them quite well.... which
if the direct route you're thinking of? (If it's the B3230 through
Muddiford then I'd steer clear due to the narrowness of the upper
windy bits coupled with the traffic you can enounter....)

You could always go down the Tarka trail to Braunton then head up
the lanes to West Down then on to Ilfracombe....

Thanks very much for that. I don't have the details to hand, but will
have a look tonight. The route through Braunton sounds like it might
be useful.

It's not direct, but the stretch by the estuary can be stunning if the
weather is right!

Actually, just checked on sustrans - that stretch is part of the official
route, and the way I mentioned looks like part of a proposed future route.
The return journey to Barnstaple will take you through some stunning scenery
BTW - plenty of photo opportunities at the top of climbs!