After Pick-up Tours from Bridgwater (Thorn)

[Slammin Sammy]

Hi all,

I'm looking at ordering a new RT, and flying over from Oz to pick it up this (northern) summer. I was surprised to find no posts in the Cycle Tours forum on tours from Thorn in SE England.

I'd like to do Cornwall and get back to London in about a month. Any suggestions on quality destinations?

Thanks!

Sam

[jags]

sorry buddy i'm from ireland so  no use to you.

[brummie]

You can easily take Sustrans route "West Country Way" from Bridgwater & even combine it with the "Devon Coast to Coast" route. I've also headed North across the Somerset levels to Clevedon & took a tandem on the Waverley ferry which runs in the summer months across the Bristol channel to Penarth. From there you can tour Wales, Brecon Beacons & beyond... There is ( or was ) another Waverley ferry which runs from Swansea across to Infracombe on the north Devon coast where you could join the Devon Coast to Coast route.

[strictnaturist]

A month? Stick yer bike on a train and head up to the Scottish Highlands for a week or two. That'll test out your bike/tent/legs/liver 

[Slammin Sammy]

Ha! By now, many of you (well, with the possible exception of the Irishman  ) would have picked up my error - of course I meant SW England.

Thanks  brummie for your suggestions, and for bringing Sustrans to my attention. What a fantastic resource! I will use it extensively in researching our tour.

And strictnaturist, I know only too well what awaits my liver up north! I've toured the place extensively on three separate occasions, although never on two wheels. I have even lost a tent in a Scottish gale, and been eaten alive by midges on Skye. (So why do I like the place so much?  )

[Danneaux]

Sammy,

You're in luck! Here's a nice little account -- complete with photos -- of an Australian who rode in the countryside (Quantock Hills) immediately around Bridgwater :
http://bikevoyage.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html
Further photos here:
https://plus.google.com/photos/111741760641273287869/albums/5159829801054343585?banner=pwa

Bridgwater doesn't look too awfully far from Exmoor National Park. You have awhile, so it might be nice to explore the area relatively close to Bridgewater. Here's a nice-looking route on bikely:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Exeter-Devon-Exmoor-Bridgwater-rural-delight
...and another interesting-looking route with GPS downloads here:
http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksCycle/bridgwater-to-bristol-cycle-route
...I'll bet these nice-looking people could help:
http://bridgwater-cc.purplecloud.net/

Hope this helps; not the longer routes you're considering, but perhaps a nice area to include upon leaving Thorn/SJSC.

Best,

Dan.

[stutho]

Sammy,

When the time comes to plan your route try the following tool.

http://www.cyclestreets.net/

Basically it is a route planner for cyclist in the UK.  It routes using both cycle paths and roads. I find it VERY useful for planning.  the routes can then be output to GPS.  There is also an App version for Iphones and androids.   (I have no connection other than being a user)

Being a Welshman can I ask that you consider extending your tour to Snowdonia in North Wales. (You will be glad you did!)     

[rualexander]

From the SJSC shop it is only a short distance to the Bridgewater to Taunton Canal where you can get onto the towpath which is a pleasant ride and will allow you to get the feel for your new bike away from traffic. It is part of the Sustrans network mentioned above.