Tarka Trail

[Dirk]

has anyone ridden it from end to end? If so is it better to ride Meeth to Braunton or the other way about.

Thought I might do the ride tomorrow.

I live in Braunton and regularly use the Tarka Trail.
It is a very nice, flat ride. Gentle railway gradients from Bideford to Yarde.
Fantastic estuary views from Braunton to Bideford and woodland from Bideford to Meeth.
The surface is tarmac from Braunton to Watergate (about 3 miles on from the Puffing Billy at Torrington). Not particularly smooth in places - tree roots under tarmac just past Bideford are a pain.
After Watergate it changes to a looser surface; compacted gravel which is OK on a hybrid or CX. The gravel surface has been regraded in places along towards Petrockstow and is not too bad.
To be honest the biggest problem on the trail is during busy holiday periods, when pedestrians, inexperienced cyclists and loose dogs can be a bit of a problem.
I've avoided the trail over this Easter weekend, but will be back out on it tomorrow as it should have quietened down a little.
I've done it end to end a few times - 60 miles return. Best time 4h 23m.
Probably best to start in Braunton, park in the Caen Street car park and pick up the trail by the side of the Braunton countryside centre. If you do it this way round you have more refreshment opportunities at the finish. Several pubs and cafes in the village. If you are doing it one way, I would suggest Meeth to Braunton. If hubby is waiting around, then there is plenty to occupy him in Braunton.
Refreshment stops on the trail are at Ashford - the Braunton Inn, Fremington Quay, Bideford old station, Puffing Billy (we use the cycle hire place for a tea stop - good cuppa), Yarde Orchard (recommended).
There is a pub in Meeth, the Bull and Dragon, which is very good but a bit hit and miss on opening times.
The weather is looking good tomorrow so it would be an ideal time to ride it.
Enjoy.

 

[Saluki]

Back from my ride. Had an awesome time. That gravel was grim. Had a mad woman throwing rubbish, stones and sticks at cyclists while passing. She threw a discarded yellow water bottle at me. I saw it coming and caught it. Very handy, have brought it home and given it a wash. Result.

https://www.strava.com/activities/947600761

 

[Dirk]

Back from my ride. Had an awesome time. That gravel was grim. Had a mad woman throwing rubbish, stones and sticks at cyclists while passing. She threw a discarded yellow water bottle at me. I saw it coming and caught it. Very handy, have brought it home and given it a wash. Result.

https://www.strava.com/activities/947600761

LOL.
I don't think the gravel section is any worse than parts of the top end of the Camel Trail.
You do come across the occasional 'character' on the trail.
My favourite is a guy we christened 'Digby' (after Digby Chicken - Caesar from the Mitchell and Webb Show). He's a happy chappy, fueled by cheap cider, usually to be seen somewhere between Barnstaple and Braunton. He walks about 2ltrs to the mile and wears a British army great coat. Always says hello.......apart from when he's asleep.
Glad you enjoyed the ride. We had a ride into Barnstaple and back earlier - weather was nice, but still a bit windy. Not too crowded today, a lot of people have gone back to work.

 

[Saluki]

LOL.
I don't think the gravel section is any worse than parts of the top end of the Camel Trail.
You do come across the occasional 'character' on the trail.
My favourite is a guy we christened 'Digby' (after Digby Chicken - Caesar from the Mitchell and Webb Show). He's a happy chappy, fueled by cheap cider, usually to be seen somewhere between Barnstaple and Braunton. He walks about 2ltrs to the mile and wears a British army great coat. Always says hello.......apart from when he's asleep.
Glad you enjoyed the ride. We had a ride into Barnstaple and back earlier - weather was nice, but still a bit windy. Not too crowded today, a lot of people have gone back to work.

The gravel bit looked like freshly re-gritted country road. It was quite slidey. Up the Helland end of the Camel, they have scabbled it right back, for resurfacing. I with that they would hurry up and do it as my fillings are loosening every time I ride over

I didn't see Digby.

 

[ColinJ]

Hmm ... I may do the Tarka Trail with my pal at some point but I think for my September holiday I will plot a road route back from Barnstaple towards Newton Abbot. I don't fancy doing much gravel on my best road bike.

 

[Dirk]

I didn't see Digby.

He was crashed out outside the boat they all live on, by the Millennium bridge, when I came past.

I don't fancy doing much gravel on my best road bike.

I wouldn't go past Torrington on a decent road bike. CX or hybrid is fine.

 

[ColinJ]

I wouldn't go past Torrington on a decent road bike. CX or hybrid is fine.

Best road bike in September. For the future trail holiday rides with my pal, I think I would take my CAADX.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Back from my ride. Had an awesome time.

Glad you enjoyed it. Ridden it N to S several times, normally when a stonking north-westerly is forecast, preceded by a rail trip to Barnstaple (from Exmouth on the 'Tarka line') and succeeded by dropping down to Okehampton and back to the Exe via the old A30. I think people's tolerance of non-tarmac surfaces varies. For me, on 25s, the run from Torrington down to Meeth is fine, even that last bit in the woods. Grateful for mudguards when it's been a bit wet, especially through the forest climbing on the old railway track.

 

[Archeress]

I never rode the whole of it, but back in the early 00's I did a 50 something mile loop starting at Barnstaple and cutting across inland of the trail and then riding along the Tarka trail back to Barnstaple. I only had a road bike back then and it coped with the trail okay from what I remember. Haven't been on the Tarka trail for about 8 or 9 years now so I don't know what it's like now.

Hugs
Archeress x

 

[Ajax Bay]

Further south NCN27 carries on to Plymouth. I can recommend the Granite Way south from Okehampton station to Lydford and then a bit of road wiggling (or down the A road) to Tavistock. Drake's Trail from there to Yelverton is a 'must' with an amazing crossing (repurposed railway viaduct) hundreds of feet up above the Walkham valley and the Grenofen tunnel. South of Yelverton the route finishes off down the Plym valley and all the way out to Plymouth Hoe, most of it off road but good surface.

 

[Saluki]

Further south NCN27 carries on to Plymouth. I can recommend the Granite Way south from Okehampton station to Lydford and then a bit of road wiggling (or down the A road) to Tavistock. Drake's Trail from there to Yelverton is a 'must' with an amazing crossing (repurposed railway viaduct) hundreds of feet up above the Walkham valley and the Grenofen tunnel. South of Yelverton the route finishes off down the Plym valley and all the way out to Plymouth Hoe, most of it off road but good surface.

We have to go to Plymouth soon, for a clinic for Hubs. We thought that we would ride on a bit of The Drakes then. He might have to dialyse there for a day soon (rather than his usual place) so I thought I'd take my bike and get a ride in while he's there. I can probably do a nice ride and be back in time for him to come out and then I can drive home.

 

[briantrumpet]

Hmm ... I may do the Tarka Trail with my pal at some point but I think for my September holiday I will plot a road route back from Barnstaple towards Newton Abbot. I don't fancy doing much gravel on my best road bike.

The A377 is lovely for most of the way (though the traffic gets heavier and sillier past Crediton). I'd be tempted to cut across to Cheriton Bishop and Dunsford, and then to head down the Teign Valley, and from then Kinsteignton/Newton Abbot. The only lumpy bit is the cut-across, but it's not too bad. Something like this: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20418740

 

[Ajax Bay]

Or something like this (which uses the tarmaced first 25km of the Tarka Trail before taking the quiet A3124 down to Bow, the back road to Whiddon Down, part of the Dartmoor Classic route (backwards) to Dunsford, and then down the Teign valley to Newton Abbot. A 'flat' route for Devon. If you want something with a bit more 'oomph' go via Moretonhampstead (A382 and B3212) from Whiddon Down to Dunsford.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20427917