hi, am planning a family and friends trip along the devon c2c which will include some novice cyclists. All i have read about this route describes a north to south journey, is that because this is the easiest way, most scenic or what. I quite like the idea of finishing up on the north coast and spending a few days chilling by the beach. Am i missing something??
devon c2c
- Thread starter davester
- Start date
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vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
Do it which ever way takes your fancy. If you only do it the once you'll never know if your choice was the harder one.
Don't be a slave to convention besides you are starting and finishing at sea level so the climbs and the descents have to match.
Don't be a slave to convention besides you are starting and finishing at sea level so the climbs and the descents have to match.
david1701
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Bude, Cornwall
afaik its all national cycle route so isn't direction specific, if you map it out you can think about it in reverse and see which you prefer climb wise
caveat to that is I haven't ridden it yet but have mapped Bude-Ilfracoombe which is part of the route (Hatherleigh -Ilfracoombe)
caveat to that is I haven't ridden it yet but have mapped Bude-Ilfracoombe which is part of the route (Hatherleigh -Ilfracoombe)
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
I've done it North to South ... and I have to say that the worst part of the trip was finding my way through the Industrial bits of Plymouth (and trying to get on the train immediately afterwards). So I can see some benefits of riding south to north ... but depending on their skill level (if they don't mind riding with traffic) I would almost be tempted to work out my own route through Plymouth rather than trying to follow the sustrans one until it gets to the park running along side the river.
con gibbens
Active Member
- Location
- West Oxfordshire
We did the trip South to North in 2009, camping along the way, and wrote up an account in the Association of Lightweight Campers magazine which you might find interesting http://www.lightweightcampers.org.uk/bulletins/spring2010bulletin.pdf . The BSB references relate to the Camping and Caravanning Club's Big Sites Book which is issued to members but if you google the campsite names you will normally find the details.
Jerry Atrik
Veteran
- Location
- South Devon
I done South to North last summer but for some reason seem to think the other way would be easier . Didnt help that i had a relentless hooley blowing in my face for the two days .
If they are novice cyclists I'd have thought the North to South route was easier as the first section is on the idyillic Tarka Trail which is well worth cycling along in it's own right.
There is a very good cafe/bunk house at Yarde Halt about 20 miles down the trail, possibly a good place for the first lunch or first night depending on when you started.
There is a very good cafe/bunk house at Yarde Halt about 20 miles down the trail, possibly a good place for the first lunch or first night depending on when you started.
thanks all, have done some brousing and quite like the look of hole station campsite. Was thinking because we have car support what about base camp in the middle'ish then cycle north, plymouth - campsite then day two cycle south, ilfracoombe - campsite. followed by chill days in the woods rather than the beach??
We live at the North Devon end of this route and we're planning to go north to south this July ourselves. We also plan to stay at Hole Station on our way across . We have some lovely beaches this end though if you enjoy that kind of thing , Woolacombe and Croyde are probably the nicest. I can recommend some campsites this end if you do decide to stay here for a night or two.
con gibbens
Active Member
- Location
- West Oxfordshire
We stayed at Hole station on our South to North trip - found it by accident! Really interesting "green" campsite and very cycle friendly and quiet.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
and I was going to say S to N would give you the benefit of the previaling winds.....!
vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
Prevailing winds prevail over an extended period. They are not guaranteed to be blowing in the prevailing direction on any given day - or two.
thanks dawnieman, have looked through some of the camping guides but recommendations are always preferable. What i don't want to end up on is a crowded noisy site with bar/clubhouse etc. Of course you can pick up most of that from the guidebooks and thus avoid them but you sometimes miss the little gems!! would appreciate any recommendations.
con gibbens
Active Member
- Location
- West Oxfordshire
We researched quite thoroughly before our trip to ensure the sites we stayed at were close to the ctoc route. We describe each one in the article we wrote in the magazine link in our previous post above . The article is on page 20.
Dave Davenport
Guru
- Location
- Hampshire
We've done it South to North over two days, stopping in Oakhampton (which was a bit of a dump). If you've got novice cyclists with you, be aware that some of the official route is pretty rough track (which can be bypassed on road) and there are a few short but stiff climbs.
