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| Rainy Morning in Torrington |
We woke to a damp, overcast morning, although it wasn't raining hard. We stopped in the center of Torrington to buy a map of the region. The Sustrans map for the "West Country Way" only covers strips along the NCN route, and is not very useful for looking at alternatives. Also Lynn wanted to get a bigger picture of where we were and how we were doing. Somehow we managed to tip the tandem over setting off again, something we never do. Lynn, clipped into the pedals, ended up ungracefully lying on the wet road, but with no damage to person or bike.
The NCN route 3 follows the Tarka Trail north from Torrington, and then goes over Exmoor to Bampton. It did not seem a good day to cycle over the moors, and just following the B3227 to Bampton cuts 20 miles off the route, so we decided to do this. Soon after leaving Torrington we encountered numerous signs saying "Road Closed Ahead", but with no indication of where this would be, and no suggestions for alternatives! It turned out to be closed for repair and resurfacing about 10 miles beyond Torrington, but the workmen happily let us walk the bike through, so we ended up with no detour, and a delightful road largely free of traffic. We had good views of Exmoor enveloped in cloud, and we were happy not to have chosen that route. The road was quite hilly, especially around Amberleigh where the River Taw cuts through the hills and there are a couple of 20% grade, admittedly fairly short, hills that we walked - both up and down!
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| Bridgwater and Taunton Canal |
After a coffee and snack break in South Moulton we continued on the B3227. The CTC route goes north west from here over Exmoor, and then up the Cheddar Gorge. We had been to the gorge before (by car), and I wanted to see Glastonbury, so we followed a more southerly route. The cycling became easier with few hills and little traffic, and lovely views in the bright sunshine. We had a bread, cheese and tomato picnic lunch in the pretty village of Bampton, followed by a long steady glide downhill. There was more traffic on the road as we approached Taunton, but the road was still mainly downhill and the cycling was fast.
We rejoined the NCN Route 3 at Norton Fitzwarren, and this took us through Taunton (with a little guidance from a local cyclist) on cycle paths to a 12 mile stretch of path alongside the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. Cycling in the quiet evening sun next to swans gliding on the water, under bright blue sky and puffy white clouds, was idyllic.
Bridgwater itself seemed rather run-down. We stayed at the Admiral Black bed and make-your-own breakfast.
Mileage: 70.9 miles
Route and more pictures
Elevation
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