Devon, Cornwall what's good?

A bit general I know, planning going down there week after next, heading for the bit right at the bottom. Been over as far as Bideford and Plymouth.

Well for us its st ives and that area. Also lost gardens of Heligon

But how do you find them, if there lost?

Ah should have known better shouldnt i eh


Its on all tourist maps

As a lifelong resident of Devon and very well travelled in Cornwall, what exactly are you looking for when you are down yer?

Are you looking for good roads to ride on the bike, or beaches (if so would you prefer rugged north coast or more genteel south coast), moorland, scenery, sights etc. If so, you've come to the wrong place. lol. Only joking. We have it all.

Let me know what floats your boat (so to speak) and I'll gladly give some more specific recommendations.

Whatever, you'll have a great time here. Me? I'm off to France. lol.

Tony

Tony,


Looking for good riding roads. Will probably only be there a few days.

Thanks but will give the beaches a miss, hate to raise a false alarm thinking there's a beached whale

Enjoy France O la la (my French isn't very good )

Ok Steve. Stand by your bed. Later tonight I'll post up a list of some superb roads that will either give you a great riding experience or some fantastic scenery, or maybe even both.

Can't do it now cos I'm off out.

Tony

Edited cos my spelling was atrocious. In a hurry.

Ok Steve. Here they come.

First off, a truly great road with some stunning scenery, very steep hills and, well, see it for yourself. Start at Bridgwater and take the A39 all the way down through Barnstaple on down to Bude. Recommended stops on the way: Minehead (maybe), Porlock, quaint old village, very steep hill on the way out. Lynmouth (stunning and I mean stunning scenery as you drop down into Lynmouth, stop for piccies). Lynmouth is a great place to stop for lunch overlooking the Bristol Channel. Bideford, quite nice. Bude.

Other great roads:

Exeter to Barnstaple on A377. Either go all the way to Barnstaple or turn off a couple of miles after Copplestone and head on the B3220 to Winkleigh and Torrington then on to Bideford. Great riding roads.

Bude to Holsworthy (A3072) then A388 to Launceston and on to Callington. Then A390 to Tavistock (nice place to stop) then A386 to Okehampton or take the road across the Moors to Princetown (home of Dartmoor Prison) then across to Moretonhampstead.

Bude to Newquay on the A39 (Atlantic Coast Highway). Nice Road.

St Ives to St Just on the B3306. A taste of old Cornwall with fantastic scenery.

From Truro take the A39 toward St Austell then turn off Onto the A39 heading towards Ladock. This road is known by Cornish bikers as the Ladock twisties. Good fun. Quite a few hours spend on this road, testing. If you know what I mean.

The A38 from Bodmin to Liskeard and on to Saltash is a good road but a little busy.

I think that should be enough for a couple of days riding. Just typing all these roads in makes me realise just how lucky I am.

Let us know how you get on. Enjoy.

Tony

Many thanks Tony, will start plotting my route.

Yip will let you know how I get on and probably flood Flickr with my pics, hopefully my temperamental video will work.

Thanks

When are you down this way Steve? If I'm back from France we could possibly hook up.

On a separate note, did you see Top Gear tonight? They were in Germany and showed Colditz Castle. We were there two years ago, feeling rather ill at Colditz if I remember correctly.

Tony

A bit last minute Tony, will be there next week
There was the usual rumblings of wanting to send me off somewhere nasty as is normal just before my leave so hadn't arranged anything, but it has crept up on me.

Will watch TopGear on catch-up. Heavens, yes we were there 2 years ago at this time - think at some stage just about everybody felt ill - should have just stuck to the alcohol, who'd have thought the water would have had such an effect. I was particularly bad at the Sachenring, mind you that blasted cough of mine drove everyone to distraction.

Many thanks Tony, have a route sorta plotted. Looks like it's going to be a really good. Have thrown a few stops in - Clovelly, and the steam 'mill' towards the bottom. Will also take a day to explore the Eden project. So a bit of sightseeing and about 190 miles riding a day.

topcatbones wrote:
From Truro take the A39 toward St Austell then turn off Onto the A39 heading towards Ladock. This road is known by Cornish bikers as the Ladock twisties. Good fun. Quite a few hours spend on this road, testing. If you know what I mean.

Bit lost on this one, what I have is Truro A39 to A390 left onto B3275 which goes to Brighton passing Ladock. Is this the road you had in mind, or is it the unclassified roads? Seeing you have spent so much time testing the road for me I'd hate to be on the wrong one.

That must be the one Steve. My map is a little old now and it shows it being the A39 coming out of Truro heading to St Austell. At Probus the road to St Austell becomes the A390 and this is where you branch off onto, what my map shows, as the A39 heading to Brighton, through Ladock and New Mills. I used to test this road a lot when I was with Diane (remember her??).

You will have a great time in Eden (if you like flora and fauna). It is fascinating there. Likewise Clovelly. Just be aware that you will have to park outside of the village and walk in (I think there is some kind of transport you can get as well, horse and cart maybe?). Please try and take the time to do the A39 down through the coast going through Porlock and Lynmouth. It is absolutely stunning.

I hope you have a great time. Let us know how it goes.

Tony

topcatbones wrote:what my map shows, as the A39 heading to Brighton, through Ladock and New Mills. I used to test this road a lot when I was with Diane (remember her??).

Thanks, read that the road designations have been changed. New A39 runs 'left of' St Ernie from Truro to the A30. Good to know I'm on the right one. I do hope I'll do it justice, will be doing it at the end of the day and will have all my gear. Mind you I could always dump it off at the B&B and go back
Yip, remember Diane, can't remember though if she rode pillion - I know I wouldn't No offence, I make a bad pillion, think many riders do.

topcatbones wrote:
You will have a great time in Eden (if you like flora and fauna). It is fascinating there.

Yeah not really into flowers and things, but can appreciate beauty

topcatbones wrote:
Likewise Clovelly. Just be aware that you will have to park outside of the village and walk in

Was told there's a 'back door' route in which I can see on my map Not that I'd do a thing like that!

topcatbones wrote:
Please try and take the time to do the A39 down through the coast going through Porlock and Lynmouth. It is absolutely stunning.

I haven't really worked out my timings, but have figured a lot of my time will be spent here. Will do Porlock and Porlock Wier as well as Lynmouth and Lynton. Not sure if I'll do the cliff railway though, will see - anyway who needs a water powered rail link when you have a ?

topcatbones wrote:
I hope you have a great time. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks Tony, I sure hope I do. I've created some Tourguides for my Zumo, so when I get close to some of the spots I'll hear a commentary and a have a pic display on the screen.
My trip begins on Sunday in Bath (Avon, not that which I maybe needing ), staying at the plaza del a YMCA slap bang in the heart of things. Plan to be home next Friday.

You have a safe and enjoyable trip to France, regards to fellow travelers and hosts.

Many thanks for your help

-Steve

Steve - Porlock Weir is another lovely little place. Great pub there, opposite the car park, that does excellent food.

You can also do the Porlock toll road which takes you up onto the A39 heading towards Lynmouth. It is a fantastic road with some absolutely massive drop offs almost straight down to the sea. Years ago I did this road a couple of times as a special stage when I was rallying. Brilliant fun but very scary.

I'll pass on your regards to Tel, Bea, Frank and Lynn ta.

Tony