Here’s a short little video clip I was given by a colleague, showing the final span of Gem Bridge is now in place. Although not clearly visible in the video, a significant portion of the deck also have been laid. You can see the temporary bridge used by construction vehicles.The small wooden bridge that used ... Read more

As far as I can work it out, this is the route for NCN2 from Cremyll Ferry in Plymouth to Ivybridge. I haven’t updates the Openstreetmap yet, as I’m not 100% certain on a few aspects. And this is where you come in: please will you look the route over and point out any inaccuracies that ... Read more

A Dark Side Ride On Dartmoor, north-west of Burrator Reservoir lies a small body of water known as Crazywell Pool. Almost exactly the length of a rugby field, is isn’t exactly awe-inspiring at first glance. View Larger Map But don’t let appearances fool you! The mere mention of Crazywell Pool is enough to make many ... Read more

I was out cycling a day or two ago, going nowhere in particular. You know the type of ride: you simply get on your bike and go where the wind blows you.Anyway, as I was merrily cycling along NCN27 through the Saltram estate, I paid attention to a particular sign probably for the first time. ... Read more

Drake’s Trail is supposedly a cycle and walking path linking Tavistock with Clearbrook. Oh, alright! If you want to be pedantic, there are also several cycling and walking spurs. In fact, looking at the “official” site, you’d notice almost nothing about the actual route between Tavistock and Clearbrook. Instead, the site seems to be all ... Read more

I’ve been either blessed, or cursed, with an inquisitive nature. Add to this a sense that all people essentially are (or should be!) equal and it becomes obvious that it is easy for me to support the Occupy movement, as well as their values of social justice. Taking things further, when looking at how cyclists are being ... Read more

Thought ‘d post this photo as a teaser. It was taken from part of the deck that was being laid on top of the bridge and shows the 500-tonne crane dropping the main 35-tonne span in place. And before you ask, no, I wasn’t fortunate enough to take this picture. It was sent to me ... Read more

In Plymouth we have suffered some 18 months of severe disruption due to the construction of what is called the East End Transport Scheme. Despite the great inconvenience the roadworks have caused, most people have accepted that it was necessary, especially in the light of the extra traffic a proposed new town to the east ... Read more

Recently I cycled out to check on how the clever people were getting with building the bridge. As per usual,   I cycled up the Plym Valley Trail, and opted to cycle on the road, up the really steep hill near Clearbrook. It was actually quite misty and the view from some vantage points along ... Read more

The past 18 months were a mixture of utter traffic chaos, severe disruption and, seemingly at times, sheer madness.This was due to the East End Transport Scheme being built in Plymouth’s East End. Broadly speaking, the scheme would improve traffic flow (for motorised traffic, of course) throughout the area, and crucially prepare creaking transport links to ... Read more

I’ve posted several times before about NCN 27, which is also known as the Devon Coast to Coast route, and I have some detailed writings about parts of the route, specifically the Plym Valley Trail and Drake’s Trail. However, there is a second NCN route through Plymouth: NCN 2. Here’s what Sustrans has to say ... Read more

It takes a lot to run a city the size of Plymouth, and there is at any point in time huge scope for things to go wrong. Everything needs maintaining and demands on budgets are made all the time from all directions. In a commercial environment this would be hard enough, but throw elected officials ... Read more

Gem Bridge, I’m happy to say, is progressing brilliantly! I had the opportunity to visit the site, and take some photos. I wasn’t allowed right down into the valley at the time, as they were still securing a segment of the bridge that had been lifted in place just a while before I took the ... Read more

No, this isn’t going to be a long, detailed write-up telling you about every little pebble along the way, but rather on overview. As you may know, I cycled the Devon Coast 2 Coast route (NCN 27) from lfracombe to Plymouth, over two days, to fundraise for Myeloma UK. They’re a charity that focuses exclusively ... Read more