Info needed : nice roads in South West

[GSband]

Hi guys,
I thought I'd ask it here : I'm planning a biketour in the South West in April 2010. I've done most of the UK already (I love the UK) but have never visited the South West.

So I'm trying to put together a tour consisting of nice winding roads (no off road) to ride; anything West of the line Bristol-Portsmouth is fine.

I've been doing some searching on the South West forum, but haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. I've found several threads with a start/end point, but that doesn't really help.

I'm very grateful for any info, tips, GPS tracks you can pass along. A redirect to another thread or another site is fine too.

Again, many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
GSband

 

[Barry G]

Hi GSBand, I'll start you off.

Minehead to Padstow just stick as close to the coast as possible, loads of nice places and sites on the way.

I'm sure the cornish contingent will follow on from there.

If you PM me nearer the time I'll give you my phone No and give you some more info depending on when your coming and of course the weather.

cheers
Barry G

 

[robc]

A35 coast road from Weymouth heading west is good too.

Regards

Rob C

 

[happy pilgrim]

generally the rule of thumb around Cornwall is similar to what Barry said really, keep as close to the coast as possible. not always great roads, but generally very good views if weather nice? and some lovely spots to stop for an ice cream and sarnie . watch the road signs saying sharp bends... they generally mean it and granite hedges are not too forgiving

 

[Canuck]

Welcome to stay at mine if you need a place around exeter. Just send me a pm!

 

[TimC1]

Most of the roads across Exmoor, the A396 from Dunster to Bampton is a must.
The B3227 from Taunton to Great Torrington used to be an A road until it was bypassed so it is a very quiet road that is well worth a run, in fact I would rather go that way than the A39 which tends to be busy.

 

[peejay]

GS Band I'll be around in April running in a new 1200 so pm me when you are on your way and maybe I can take you over some great roads from Bristol into Devon where the Devon/Cornwall girls and guys can take over.
We can show you or take you to the best roads in the area.
Peejay

 

[bubbles]

Hi GSband
Good to see some of the other guys from our South West rideout group have chipped in and as they say, sticking to the coast and some of the really tiny lanes is always a plan that I enjoy, stringing those lanes together into a single route is also fun. I see from your public profile that we have similar interests in transport and models and I would be very happy to show you some of my favourite roads and maybe a taste of our local transport history.
A couple of the best routes are the coast road Bude to Wadebridge and a circular tour of Bobmin Moor but in the far west St Ives to St Just and Sennen Cove taking in Lamorna cove, Mousehole and Penzance on the way back is not to be missed.
Here's a taster....

Feel free to pm me

bubbles.

 

[Canuck]

Not too far from my place, across the moor from Moretonhampstead to plymouth is a nice run.

 

[GSband]

Wauw, so many answers in such a short time. I'm impressed.

Thanks, guys, I'm taking notes ! And thanks for all the offers; I'll make contact as plans develop. @bubbles : now I know what a public profile is good for (grin).

Please, if you have any more tips, keep 'em coming, very much obliged !

Cheers,
GSband

 

[gsbiker]

This was wasted on the Buell website recently. No one posted or commented and when discussed no one was interested!!!
Pictures I've taken on my local rideouts. Hope this helps.

Minehead

Lynmouth/Lynton

Bideford

Bude

Padstow

Lands End

The Lizard

Dartmoor

Double Locks, Exeter

 

[GSband]

Okay, so now I'm positively drooling ...

 

[Riders Rest]

stay in Poole or close by on a Tueday night and get yourself to the Quay... 1,000's of bike ought to be there.

From poole head into Wareham, on the A351 and onto the Purbecks, Corfe Castle Swanage way, then come West on the A352 & A354 to Weymouth, take a trip to Portland Bill before picking up the A3157 to West Bay (Bridport) from here pop onto the A35 for a short time to Charmouth, Lyme Regis and take the A3052, salcombe, Sidmouth, cut through Woodbury to Exmouth.

From Exmouth you can head up to Barnstaple, and follow the North Devon Cornwall coast or cut through Dartmoor either way one there one back..

Loads of pictures over the years riding the South Southwest http://www.whereistonynow.co.uk might give you some ideas Enjoy there are many excellent roads.

the A272 is a road to ride but that is east Winchester through Petersfield, petworth then drop down to Arundel Nice road, if not congested... Actually if you did this in reverse from the ferry port (Dover) when you get to winchester drop south and into the New Forrest and on to Poole.

I have a good friend who is from Belgium who has toured the Uk a couple of times it might be worth you having a chat with him, he keeps a trip journel at http://www.lucsa1.be/ say NOMAD said to talk

 

[balbas]

There are some cracking roads just North of Dartmoor too, but inland of the coast. The A386 between Bideford and Okehampton is a cracking road, as are the A377 between Crediton and Barnstaple and the B3215 and B3219 in the vicinity of Okehampton.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

There is also the Roseland peninsular, a particular favorite of mine, very narrow single track lanes to fantastic beaches and views between St Mawes and Mevagissey
I can see a ride out comming on when you arrive

 

[GSband]

Once again, thanks !
I'm getting the impression there's lots of options to choose from...

 

[rick]

I assume you're coming into Dover or On Eurotunnel.

If you have the time I'd follow the coast until you can pick up the A272, as has been said in an earlier post a great road. At its junction with the A32 there's a Bikers' Cafe called Loomies, worth a visit. From Winchester I usually take the A30 to Salisbury, then the A354 towards Blandford before taking the B3078 to Wimborne.

If you're in the area on a Tuesday evening you need to go to Poole Quay to see the bikes.

Otherwise I'd follow the A31 to Bere Regis and then take an unclassified road to Wool. Just off of this road is Clouds Hill where Laurence of Arabia lived and a little further on the spot where he died. (pm me if you're thinking of going and I'll give you some more detailed instructions).

After this I'd take the A352 to Weymouth and then the coast road through Abbotsbury. West Bay is a bikers meeting place if you've got the time.

Further West than this other people on here know the roads better than me. My only advice would be that most of the time you'll be better staying off the A35/A30/A38.

Enjoy your trip whichever way you go.

 

[snix39]

:my favourite roads in cornwall are 1. for a short ride 2-2.5 hrs portreath down the coast to hayle then coast road St.Ives to st just -Lands End back to Penzance -Helston -Falmouth and Home to Truro or if I'm out for the day with some Mates St.Agnes -Perranporth -Newquay coast road to Padstow -Wadebridge up the north Atlantic Highway to Camelford -Boscastle on to Bude for a spot of Lunch then cut across country to Launceston up the A30 to Okehampton then cut across Dartmoor to Plymouth back into Cornwall down to Looe - St.Austell then to Truro.

 

[Yonkyo]

:my favourite roads in cornwall are 1. for a short ride 2-2.5 hrs portreath down the coast to hayle then coast road St.Ives to st just -Lands End back to Penzance -Helston -Falmouth and Home to Truro or if I'm out for the day with some Mates St.Agnes -Perranporth -Newquay coast road to Padstow -Wadebridge up the north Atlantic Highway to Camelford -Boscastle on to Bude for a spot of Lunch then cut across country to Launceston up the A30 to Okehampton then cut across Dartmoor to Plymouth back into Cornwall down to Looe - St.Austell then to Truro.

+1 i'll second that

The Portreath - Hayle - St Ives - St Just - Lands End road, is a coast road with many outstanding views and simply made for biking. be sure to stop at Hells Mouth for a walk along the cliffs and a coffee in the Cafe. And sure to stop at Sennen Cove (near Lands End) for fish and chips and a walk on the gorgeous white sands..............i could go on and on and....

 

[GSband]

That's Sennen Cove mentioned twice now, as well as the coastal road... I'll do my best to incorporate that then

Thanks !
Cheers,
GSband