Last Saturday I drove up to Barnstaple, specifically to cycle NCN27 to Ilfracombe and back. I parked up very close to the station, and discovered to my horror that I forgot my cycling shoes! I have clipless pedals on my bike, and without my cycling shoes I cannot attach to the pedals. A quick trip ... Read more

On Saturday, I took some more photos I was given some photos, by a complete stranger that I will never recognise again. It was dark when the stranger gave me a micro-SD card containing the photos, and I’m sure he was wearing a wig, a false beard and sunglasses, so I cannot describe him at all.As I ... Read more

Saw this bike in the centre of Plymouth last weekend, while out cycling with my youngest. I asked the paramedic about the weight, and he invited me to try and lift it. It was heavy! I have only the greatest admiration for any paramedic, as a starting point, and probably double that for bicycle paramedics!

I love the Plym Valley Trail, and I love Drake’s Trail, and I’m not afraid to admit it, but this post is about the Granite Way, and why I believe it’s better. First, the iffy bits: From Lydford, the official route takes you via a roundabout way through Bridestowe onto the point where you cross ... Read more

I went cycling yesterday, not with any firm plans regarding the route other than perhaps cycling to Lydford and back, obviously trying to stick to NCN 27 as far as possible. As I’ve posted before, during the construction of Gem bridge, the “preferred” section of the route is closed, and will remain closed until at ... Read more

Earlier today I had a chance to have a look at what progress has been made at Gem bridge, over the Walkham valley and on the same spot as Brunel’s original Grenofen viaduct. Actually I didn’t go there just to see what progress had been made – this time I wanted to go and have ... Read more

Amongst much fanfare, the Cycle-West.com site has been launched! Oh! You didn’t know about it? Then allow me to enlighten you: it is a New! Improved! network of cycle paths in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, as well as parts of France.Given that my experience of France is limited to a 4-hour stop-over at Charles de ... Read more

Although it hasn’t actually been formally established, Thomas Paine is thought to have said “The only thing required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”There is quite a common legal principle around the world which holds an accomplice to a crime as guilty as the perpetrator of the crime. In view ... Read more

I’ve posted before about Sonya’s, a little coffee shop and restaurant in Yelverton. The decor isn’t much – in fact, it’s rather plain, but the staff are friendly, it has a good atmosphere, and the coffee & walnut cake is quite yummy.I cannot comment on the rest of the menu, as all I’ve ever had ... Read more

Earlier today I cycled up the Plym Valley Trail, to Yelverton and back. Officially, the Plym Valley Trail ends at Clearbrook, and Drake’s Trail starts from there.Along the way, I stopped at Shaugh Halt to eat a chocolate bar and have a drink. Shaugh halt retains the old platform, and is a rather good spot ... Read more

A little while ago I wrote about a VW driver that pulled out on my youngest daughter and I when we went cycling with her on the tag-along behind my bike. At the time I was wearing my helmet cam, so I videoed it, and of course I posted the video here. I didn’t immediately ... Read more

By now I expect you know about the new Gem Bridge being constructed over the Walkham valley, on the site of the old Grenofen viaduct Brunel had built. The new bridge is a superb idea that, once completed, will offer cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users a pleasant way to cross the valley. Crossing the Walkham ... Read more

On Saturday, 21 May, I headed out to Yelverton, where I picked Simon up. We then made our way to Princetown, and parked in the car park behind the High Moorlands centre. There was a fair bit of wind, but I didn’t consider it too bad – certainly no worse than what I’ve cycled in ... Read more

Totnes is a small town in Devon, and I often get to visit it as an IT support customer has a branch there. Any town with as lively a “hippy” community is cool in my book, and I really wouldn’t mind living there!This is from Wikipedia : “Totnes has a sizeable alternative community, and the ... Read more

Yesterday afternoon, I went cycling. My youngest often goes cycling with me, and on longer trips it is common for me to hook up her tag-along behind my bike. Although yesterday’s trip wasn’t going to be a serious distance, it nevertheless involved some hills she struggles quite badly with, so that meant we picked the ... Read more