Most scenic way LE to Severn Bridge

[schneewehe]

Hello local experts,

Last two times I took an inland route through Dartmoor and Cheddar Gorge, which was hard but fantastic. Next year I'm thinking about to take amore northern route to see something from the coast and Exmoor Nationalparc. But before planning in detail I just want to get sure if this is a good idea. I prefer small traffic free roads and paved cycle paths with a lot of climbs in between, as long as the efford gains me nice landscape and a great coffeebreak in between. Is the traffic an issue in that region? Kind regards Schneewehe

 

[Ajax Bay]

Please share the two routes you took so we/I can see the sort of roads you 'prefer'.
What do you mean by "is the traffic an issue in that region?"? Was the traffic on your "inland routes" an issue? These things are both comparative and subject to individual threshold/perception.
Here's Land's End to Lynmouth. I have not ridden all these roads (maybe 3/4). Uses the Padstow>Rock ferry. Was surprised how little climb there was!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45210916

 

[Polecat]

"Was surprised how little climb there was"!
Ahem, mon ami; 176.7mi and 12,649ft climbing is not - at least to me - a little climbing.

 

[Jameshow]

Look up Mick F route on cycling UK forum.

From davudstow airfield go moth up to Bude and then Bideford / Barnstaple and up to Exmoor. Just avoid the A39 by going inland. Don't go coast side as there are some crazy steep hills in very short distance.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Title of thread is "Most scenic way . . ".
Do you not know what 'scenic' is a euphemism for, in long distance cycling?

"Was surprised how little climb there was"!
Ahem, mon ami; 176.7mi and 12,649ft climbing is not - at least to me - a little climbing.

You cannot (inferred) whimper that there's lots of climb. I assure you that only 13m per km of climb is a relatively flat (long) day out in Devon and Cornwall.

From Davidstow airfield go north up to Bude and then Bideford / Barnstaple and up to Exmoor. Just avoid the A39 by going inland. Don't go coast side as there are some crazy steep hills in very short distance.

With respect, that's 'sort of' what the route I shared does; well it goes Bideford/Barnstaple.
There's no sensible way (other than the A39) to get to Bude from Davidstow. The route I've offered gets one down into Tintagel and across to Boscastle: destinations in their own right and fantastic Atlantic Ocean scenery to the left. The route across to Holsworthy and the north to Bideford is scenic (and gets the rider onto the Tarka Trail cycle path: see OP "I prefer small traffic free roads and paved cycle paths with a lot of climbs in between").
After Barnstaple the cycle path (another 'tick') takes you out to to Braunton and round the Croyde peninsula with views back across Braunton Burrows and later down into Woolacombe. (Clearly there's the opportunity to cut that out and head straight for the scenery of Exmoor. But you'd miss the seriously hilly route from Combe Martin to Lynmouth which is outrageous (small traffic free roads with a lot of . . . climbs in between"), matching the spec perfectly.
To get to Bridgwater (which is a throttle heading for the Severn Bridge) I'd climb out of Lynmouth to Simonsbath (so onto Exmoor) thence Exford, Wheddon Cross, east along the Brendon Hills, cut SE to Bishop's Lydeard and up the Cothelstone climb and over the Quantocks.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45232314
I have ridden all those roads, and from Bridgwater many times.

 

[the snail]

...

You cannot (inferred) whimper that there's lots of climb. I assure you that only 13m per km of climb is a relatively flat (long) day out in Devon and Cornwall.

..

I reckon 10m/km is pretty average for the the UK. Considering you are crossing Cornwall and Devon 13m/km is very reasonable indeed.

 

[D_97_goodtimes]

The following towns and villages may suit you - Not many paved cycle paths but plenty of country lanes with lots of hills.

Trowbridge - Coffee here
Holt
Corsham - Coffee can be found here
Badminton
Hillesley -
Wooton Under Edge - More coffee
Tortworth - Excellent coffee and food at the cafe
Aust - Nice pub
Severn Bridge

 

[Ajax Bay]

my upcoming slog northward . . .
For example: one line on my cue sheet is:
'A short distance along the road bends to the left with 'Cedars House' in front of you and Wells Cathedral School. Turn R at the bend in the road down the one-way-street at the "School sign".
What happens if the "School sign" as disappeared, or Cedars House' is now a migrant centre called Alibaba?
For example: On the day I travel the 114 miles from Street to Bewdley - over the Bristol Channel - there are 100 cue changes of direction. Very easy to miss one - or more cues and finish up on the 'Safe Lane' of a motorway.

I recommend you reframe your expedition as an adventure rather than a "slog".

Not wanting to create new thread, I'd be interested in your route @blackrat
e.g. Street to Bewdley (and also your route through Cornwall and Devon)
Here's a stab (but longer than 114 miles / 183km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48219936
(doesn't go though Wells, nor over the Mendips)
Google walking: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/YHA...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[blackrat]

I recommend you reframe your expedition as an adventure rather than a "slog".

Not wanting to create new thread, I'd be interested in your route @blackrat
e.g. Street to Bewdley (and also your route through Cornwall and Devon)
Here's a stab (but longer than 114 miles / 183km): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48219936
(doesn't go though Wells, nor over the Mendips)
Google walking: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/YHA+Street,+the+chalet,+Cockrod,+Street+BA16+0TX,+United+Kingdom/Bewdley+station,+Bewdley,+UK/@52.064224,-2.3694869,10z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x4872173c6d892697:0xa5f4e145d6e4eb05!2m2!1d-2.7433357!2d51.1081098!1m5!1m1!1s0x48708b0d3fb9a7a1:0x1f63fb79d421a0b2!2m2!1d-2.3065127!2d52.375576!3e2?hl=en-GB&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

I agree, Ajax, it is going to be an adventure, but a slogging adventure.
I note your suggested route at 126 miles - good grief, another 12 miles? - has no less than 133 cues. I'm dizzy just looking at it.
Anyway, right now I'm looking at the weather and wondering if any of this makes sense riding in a downpour - which appears to be the weather in Britain this season.
Ordinarily, I never ride in the rain unless it comes on unexpectedly once I am on the way, but I never ever start riding in wet conditions. If I was a commuter cyclist I suppose it would be different, but not by choice.
As an aside, I wonder how many readers have ever used GoogleMaps with Street View to actually vicariously ride a route. It is quite enlightening and helps to visualise routes before tacking it in person.

 

[Ajax Bay]

If you want to enjoy the A39 and the A4018 though urban Bristol (at least go over the Clifton Suspension Bridge) and other A roads, be our guest. Some reckon seeking local advice has merit (ack you didn't ask for it).
In my end-to-end (mid-September) I got one half day of rain: was fine.
In London-Edinburgh-London (about the same distance but 4 days shorter, again 1/2 a day (but I was lucky: rained while I was kipping at controls).
Riding in the rain just requires the appropriate clothing and mindset, and some take a Bar out of their tyres.
Given this is going to be a "slog" and if raining will "make no sense" I suggest you build in some rest days to be taken as required and make the expedition fun.
Wrt GSV, I normally look at the critical junctions or stretches of navigational challenge pre-(long) ride.

 

[blackrat]

I know this doesn't effect anyone else reading and using this forum, but this on the BBC site just now:

"After the four-day strike, Border Force staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from 4 September until 22 September."

Is causing me to seriously question maybe I should take my touring trips in this country and not bother with Britain anymore.
I'm due to land at Heathrow 9 September and leave 22 September. I recognise maybe the delay might not be long, but timing is everything with getting a taxi to a bike shop near Heathrow to have it unpacked and reassembled, then Paddington Express into London and train down to Penzance - all booked and paid for.
Frankly, I don't know how Brits put up with ths crap all the time. Does anyone in Britain acctually want to work? It seems to be a lot of sniverling and whining coming from government sector workers. I wonder why?
Rant over, back to the normal programme.

 

[nickyboy]

Just looked back and we did LE to near Severn Bridge (we carried on to Gloucester) via N Cornwall. It was about 233 miles with 12,400ft climbing
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35945148 Day 0: Penzance-LE-Penzance
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30824481 Day 1: Penzance-Camelford
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36348128 Day 2: Camelford - Wellington
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30825370 Day 3: Wellington - Gloucester

 

[T4tomo]

I know this doesn't effect anyone else reading and using this forum, but this on the BBC site just now:

"After the four-day strike, Border Force staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from 4 September until 22 September."

Is causing me to seriously question maybe I should take my touring trips in this country and not bother with Britain anymore.
I'm due to land at Heathrow 9 September and leave 22 September. I recognise maybe the delay might not be long, but timing is everything with getting a taxi to a bike shop near Heathrow to have it unpacked and reassembled, then Paddington Express into London and train down to Penzance - all booked and paid for.
Frankly, I don't know how Brits put up with ths crap all the time. Does anyone in Britain acctually want to work? It seems to be a lot of sniverling and whining coming from government sector workers. I wonder why?
Rant over, back to the normal programme.

I doubt Britain that would be too bothered if you didn't come, especially if all your're going to do is moan.

 

[blackrat]

I doubt Britain that would be too bothered if you didn't come, especially if all your're going to do is moan.

"...if all your're going to .."
Did you mean to write: "..if all you're going to.. "?
In any case, Brits have always moaned, it's part of our DNA. You must be one of them furenners!

 

[Jameshow]

I know this doesn't effect anyone else reading and using this forum, but this on the BBC site just now:

"After the four-day strike, Border Force staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from 4 September until 22 September."

Is causing me to seriously question maybe I should take my touring trips in this country and not bother with Britain anymore.
I'm due to land at Heathrow 9 September and leave 22 September. I recognise maybe the delay might not be long, but timing is everything with getting a taxi to a bike shop near Heathrow to have it unpacked and reassembled, then Paddington Express into London and train down to Penzance - all booked and paid for.
Frankly, I don't know how Brits put up with ths crap all the time. Does anyone in Britain acctually want to work? It seems to be a lot of sniverling and whining coming from government sector workers. I wonder why?
Rant over, back to the normal programme.

Why not take your bike to Penzance packed and unpack it there. Must be a shop or a member or two to help reassemble. It's surely not too difficult to do?
If your up in the Highlands on a Sunday you won't get shop support!