Thoughts on Proposed Route LE to Bristol

[spen666]

I'm looking at doing LEJOG again after doing it 17 years ago. Then I did it largely via the Cycling UK fast route which took me over the top of Dartmoor . This time I'm looking to avoid worst of Dartmoor and go further east ie via worcester instead of via Hereford.

Any thoughts on the route for the first 3 sections?

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54429603 ... 5yfshlBIHP

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54429640 ... 2qpvUV7d4s

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54429665 ... n6ZdhvttzK

I intend to do it unsupported and credit card touring

[honesty]

You’re climbing one of the steepest hill in the area just north of Bishops lydeard.

[spen666]

You’re climbing one of the steepest hill in the area just north of Bishops lydeard.

Is there a suitable alternative diversion

[honesty]

My suggestion - go into Wellington. Then East Nynehead, Bradford on Tone, Hele turn left up to Allerford, Norton Fitzwarren. Follow Bindon road then Trenchard way. Pick up the canal (surface is a bit rough but I do it on 28mm tyres) out to Creech st Michael. Then go from Creech to Ham, Knapp, North Curry, Stoke st Gregory. Out to Othery and up to Wedmore.

[JohnR]

My suggestion - go into Wellington. Then East Nynehead, Bradford on Tone, Hele turn left up to Allerford, Norton Fitzwarren. Follow Bindon road then Trenchard way. Pick up the canal (surface is a bit rough but I do it on 28mm tyres) out to Creech st Michael. Then go from Creech to Ham, Knapp, North Curry, Stoke st Gregory. Out to Othery and up to Wedmore.

How much of this follows National Cycle Route 3 (which can be seen at https://explore.osmaps.com - turn on the NCN layer)?

[al_yrpal]

Cycle this route often but personally I would rather take the Quantocks stinker which is more direct. Its a good workout...

Al

[nickyboy]

This was our Day 1

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30824481 ... map&zoom=9

Took in the N Atlantic coast via Perranporth, Newquay, Padstow which was great. One tiny thing is maybe take the cycle path the far side of Copperhouse Pool in Hayle as it gives much nicer views

[honesty]

My suggestion - go into Wellington. Then East Nynehead, Bradford on Tone, Hele turn left up to Allerford, Norton Fitzwarren. Follow Bindon road then Trenchard way. Pick up the canal (surface is a bit rough but I do it on 28mm tyres) out to Creech st Michael. Then go from Creech to Ham, Knapp, North Curry, Stoke st Gregory. Out to Othery and up to Wedmore.

How much of this follows National Cycle Route 3 (which can be seen at https://explore.osmaps.com - turn on the NCN layer)?

Not much of my suggestion follows that route, and has the added benefit of going past the North Curry coffee shop, which did the best cake around last time I stopped there.

Also, if you want to get to Congresbury, look to use the Shute Shelve Tunnel on the Strawberry line. Its by far the easiest way over (under) the Mendips.

[bikepacker]

As I haven’t done a LEJOG in the last 15 years (previously did 4 over different routes) and as roads have become more cycling unfriendly, I cannot offer too much advice, except if you are using Sustrans 45 through Worcestershire. So, if it is your intention to use this section post here and I’ll state what I can to help.

[Bmblbzzz]

From Yatton, my preference would be to go through Backwell and take the Flax Bourton Greenway (alongside the railway) then come into Bristol from the south, crossing the river on the Festival Way. Then follow the A4018 if you're heading for Almondsbury. The M5 bridge is just horrid.

[mjr]

From Yatton, my preference would be to go through Backwell and take the Flax Bourton Greenway (alongside the railway) then come into Bristol from the south, crossing the river on the Festival Way. Then follow the A4018 if you're heading for Almondsbury. The M5 bridge is just horrid.

I agree about the FBG and Festival Way, but isn't the A4018 the notorious Park Street climb? Follow NCN4 instead for a gentler climb on the (slightly) quieter Park Row then it turns off up Woodland Road and wiggles a bit before rejoining the plotted route in Henbury.

The M5 bridge is horrid but might be preferred if you really want to avoid city cycling. The Gordano Valley is pretty unusual too and the back road used as NCN410 was fine 20 years ago

[Bmblbzzz]

The "notorious Park Street climb" isn't going to be a problem to anyone who's ridden through Cornwall and Devon. But take whatever way through the city you prefer to come out in Almondsbury, or rather slightly south. In fact heading for Blaise and through Eldub would be a good route.

[mjr]

The "notorious Park Street climb" isn't going to be a problem to anyone who's ridden through Cornwall and Devon.

Well, the posted route claims a max climb of 9% (less than a climb I've done in the Netherlands on a Dutch bike) and some online sources claim Park Street is 1 in 12, which isn't much less (8.33%), although I note cycle.travel seems to say 6%. It's no Vale Street, though.

Actually, Park Street might be less of a problem now than it used to be when you had to do it dodging around parked cars and being bathed liberally in exhaust fumes, which isn't a common situation on most steeps in Cornwall and Devon. The annoying little kicker at the bottom up onto College Green that robs you of much momentum is still there and I see the pedestrian crossing by the Count's Louse is also still there...

[rjb]

My suggestion - go into Wellington. Then East Nynehead, Bradford on Tone, Hele turn left up to Allerford, Norton Fitzwarren. Follow Bindon road then Trenchard way. Pick up the canal (surface is a bit rough but I do it on 28mm tyres) out to Creech st Michael. Then go from Creech to Ham, Knapp, North Curry, Stoke st Gregory. Out to Othery and up to Wedmore.

Nice community cafe in North Curry. My home village. (closed on mondays)

oops seen its had a previous mention

[honesty]

My suggestion - go into Wellington. Then East Nynehead, Bradford on Tone, Hele turn left up to Allerford, Norton Fitzwarren. Follow Bindon road then Trenchard way. Pick up the canal (surface is a bit rough but I do it on 28mm tyres) out to Creech st Michael. Then go from Creech to Ham, Knapp, North Curry, Stoke st Gregory. Out to Othery and up to Wedmore.

Nice community cafe in North Curry. My home village. (closed on mondays)

oops seen its had a previous mention

And cheap! Love that place