Congdons Shop to Launceston isn't too bad at all.
You drop down over the River Inny with a steep ascent, before South Petherwin, then another steep hill after Daws House before Penigillam as you approach Launceston.
The road is good.
But I would honestly say to stay on the A390 to Tavistock. The other routes described are good too, but slow and not the shortest. Scenic certainly.
BTW. The old A30 from Launceston all the way to Exeter is a wonderful road. Great to drive on, let alone cycle on! It's one of those old fashioned roads we all love. It's called The West Devon Drive for much of it's route.
A30 Penzance to Okehampton
Morning all, may I suggest that Upton Cross to Congdon's Shop is a no-no - very narrow single lane in places, steep and twisty, and a rat-run for those lorries that can't be bothered to go the sensible route of Liskeard-Callington-Launceston. I don't even DRIVE it these days - too much hassle! So straight across at Upton Cross (from Minions, where there is a tea shop) and just keep going until you hit the B3257, then Stoke Climsland, Horsebridge, Portontown, North Brentor, Lydford and follow the cycle route into Okehampton.
Mick F - I'll give you my 'avoid the A30 route' later when I return from the daily employment!
regards to all, Braz
Mick F - I'll give you my 'avoid the A30 route' later when I return from the daily employment!
regards to all, Braz
braz wrote:may I suggest that Upton Cross to Congdon's Shop is a no-no - very narrow single lane in places, steep and twisty, and a rat-run for those lorries that can't be bothered to go the sensible route of Liskeard-Callington-Launceston.
You can suggest it, but I think you're wrong. It's a great road, and the steep bits are downhill except for one up from Berrio Bridge. The route is part of my favourite short ride.
I think you're mixing up the road with the Kelly Bray to Congdons Shop/Plusha road.
The other route you suggest has far more steep bits, is far narrower and twisty. The road up from Horsebridge up to Chipshop is a long haul.
If you want to do it, turn left at the Chip Shop Inn, up to Lamerton Cross and straight on to the top of the hill. Take the second right, cross the Tavistock/Chilaton road and head for Brentor.
Turn left and go down past the Brentor Inn (closed) and follow the road into Lydford past the castle and the Castle Inn. Up past the school and:
Either turn left onto the Granite Way cycle track to the Bridestowe road, left to the Fox and Hounds on the A386 to Bearslake and pick up the rest of the Granite Way to Okehampton.
Or up to the A386 to the Dartmoor Inn and left to Okehampton.
Last edited by Mick F on 2 May 2008, 9:12am, edited 1 time in total.
Mick F. Cornwall
Would second the north coast route from Hayle to Portreath- uphill at the beginning but then flat and a lovely downhill into Portreath-a good place to stop at the little cafe right on the beach-another good cafe at Hells Mouth. My wife and I go that way regularly and if you don't mind a couple of steep hills you can turn off before you get to Redruth and go through Porthtowan, Perranporth and on to Newquay. So much depends on whether you are working to a tight timetable or want to see some lovely scenery.
I also think a more northerley route up towards Wadebridge, Bude, Holsworthy, Hatherleigh and on to Crediton is worth considering- I came down that way last year and you can either stick to the main roads or there are lots of parallel minor roads along the edge of Bodmin Moor if you are not in a hurry. That's the way I'll be going up later on May 20th give or take a day.
From Penzance always consider going along the beach cycle route to Marazion- it begins at the far end of the main town car park by the harbour-and then there is a signposted cycle route from Marazion through St Erth to Hayle-very quiet and only slightly longer. The choices are endless really.
http://www.justgiving.com/petermaddern
I also think a more northerley route up towards Wadebridge, Bude, Holsworthy, Hatherleigh and on to Crediton is worth considering- I came down that way last year and you can either stick to the main roads or there are lots of parallel minor roads along the edge of Bodmin Moor if you are not in a hurry. That's the way I'll be going up later on May 20th give or take a day.
From Penzance always consider going along the beach cycle route to Marazion- it begins at the far end of the main town car park by the harbour-and then there is a signposted cycle route from Marazion through St Erth to Hayle-very quiet and only slightly longer. The choices are endless really.
http://www.justgiving.com/petermaddern
This post is almost really useful, but with all the talk of old this and old old that, I'm a bit lost on my road maps trying to figure out what on earth people are all talking about....but want to make use of the wisdom of the local folk.
Is there any chance that responders have a link to a google map or similar so that I and others can see what you mean? Perhaps this post could be added as a sticky for future use.
Is there any chance that responders have a link to a google map or similar so that I and others can see what you mean? Perhaps this post could be added as a sticky for future use.
Mick F, coming across from the A39 N of Camelford, take the lanes towards Altarnun. Instead of turning R to Altarnun follow signs to Polyphant but T L at Trethinna to Trewen, where you bear R. Cross the A395 at Pipers Pool, over Red Down and turn right along the course of the old railway into Launceston. (Alternatively, nip down the A395 to Kennards House and follow the lanes into and through Tregadillet - but remember to T L at Trebursye just past the village or you will end up on the main A30. Take the next R - it's a small, unsigned lane - towards Launceston, TR past the housing estate and on into the town centre). Up the hill into the town for tea shops, a new(ish) bike shop if you need any bits, then head down the A388 towards Polson and the rugby club. Over the river, up the hill, cross the A30 at Liftondown, and follow the old A30 all the way to Okehampton.
I long regret the passing of the cafe at Tregadillet, as it always seemed to be lunchtime when I got there! The best cafe in Launceston now is called something like the Beatrix Potter Experience - something to do with furry animals, anyway! - a bit twinky but the cakes are homemade, and they do a mean bacon sarnie! Not really a cyclists cafe, but still the best in town! Or on Saturdays you can get a tea and a huge pasty at the rugby club!
regards to all, Braz.
I long regret the passing of the cafe at Tregadillet, as it always seemed to be lunchtime when I got there! The best cafe in Launceston now is called something like the Beatrix Potter Experience - something to do with furry animals, anyway! - a bit twinky but the cakes are homemade, and they do a mean bacon sarnie! Not really a cyclists cafe, but still the best in town! Or on Saturdays you can get a tea and a huge pasty at the rugby club!
regards to all, Braz.
Good route, Braz!
But IMHO not the best. Don't forget that the subject we are talking/debating is the E2E/LEJOG route. People need to get the miles under their belts and take an efficient way.
I believe the northern route to be great and fun and scenic, but not efficient. Best to stick to the Truro A390 route, skirt Dartmoor and head for Okehampton.
We agree to differ, perhaps?
That's the one!! Someone been copying?
But IMHO not the best. Don't forget that the subject we are talking/debating is the E2E/LEJOG route. People need to get the miles under their belts and take an efficient way.
I believe the northern route to be great and fun and scenic, but not efficient. Best to stick to the Truro A390 route, skirt Dartmoor and head for Okehampton.
We agree to differ, perhaps?
flobber wrote:answering my own thing....is this the Mick F route?
www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=211
That's the one!! Someone been copying?
Mick F. Cornwall
not copying, just trying to make sense of your advice. I'd like to put the route offered by Braz onto a map as well to compare, but struggling with some of the road names, i'll have go though.
I think it is helpful to people when they look back through previous threads looking for route ideas from local folk who know the roads.
I think it is helpful to people when they look back through previous threads looking for route ideas from local folk who know the roads.
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wobblychainring
- Posts: 38
- Joined: 23 Feb 2007, 12:25pm
Once on the way between Tintagel and Exeter I decided to hop on the A30 at Okehampton. It was fine at first (despite the debris), but then there was a summer thunderstorm that failed to slow any cars or lorries. It became a bit of an endurance ride till I had a puncture between junctions. It proved to be beyond repair and I hadn't packed a spare tube... so I trudged down the far edge of the hard shoulder till I came to a laybe and managed to hitch back to Exeter! Not a great experience.
Poor you! Do you carry a spare tube now?
I never leave home without one.
The A30 from LE all the way to Exeter is the fastest and most efficient route. Noisy, no fun, perhaps dangerous, but fast for a cyclist.
Possibly the shortest would also follow the A30, but you need to cut the corner off. Instead of going via Exeter, pull off at Okehampton and head for Tiverton, then join the A38 at J27 M5. The A30 goes way too far south as it approaches Exeter.
I never leave home without one.
The A30 from LE all the way to Exeter is the fastest and most efficient route. Noisy, no fun, perhaps dangerous, but fast for a cyclist.
Possibly the shortest would also follow the A30, but you need to cut the corner off. Instead of going via Exeter, pull off at Okehampton and head for Tiverton, then join the A38 at J27 M5. The A30 goes way too far south as it approaches Exeter.
Mick F. Cornwall