Day 36  -of round the coast of Britain tandem ride

 Coombe Martin to Barnstable

 

Date: Sunday 18^th April 2010   Distance: 27.35 Mile

 

It’s now time to find out why the people at the B&B don’t ride their tandem – a long climb out of Coombe Martin, down and another long climb to Ilfracombe, where the useless sign posts for the cycle way meant we missed the harbour.

 

Early lunch was at the Fortesque Arms, a modern but friendly pub, at Borough Cross where we see our first sustrans cycleway sign this weekend. It was really hot, but we sat inside having been in the sun all morning.We declined the carvery which looked good, but we wanted a large meal in the evening instead. Bob turned down a free beer which had been poured in error. He had already had 2! He was only ever inebriated once in charge of the tandem and we went down every pothole available -to both sides of the road, so never again!

 

We went along the top road which was also a cycleway and it was busier than expected. A long run down into Woolscombe followed. There were a large number of cars parked, but the beach was so big it looked like hardly anyone was there. It was more cycleway then we passed through a long linear car park. It was dusty and eventually just turned into a dirt track along the cliffs for about 3 miles. There was a lovely long stretch of bay, but several people told us the bay was dangerous. It was downhill into oldie -worldie Croyde, with thatched pubs.

 

Out of Croyde it was another up, and because of the cars and the bends Pat walked. Then we could see Braunton Burrows from a height. Lots of people were in the sea. It was down to Braunton Marsh and many cars seemingly with no where to go. High rushes lined the roadside. We were suddenly passed by many cyclists not far from Braubton. We stopped to buy some refreshments at a supermarket 8nfortunately without a cafe.We took the Tarka trail along the estuary to Barnstable stopping to eat our snacks only to find we were next to the sewerage works. We moved on.

 

Once in Barnstable we used the Sat Nav to find the Premier Inn. Unfortunately the evening meal was a let down  after seeing the food at the Fortesque Arms – Brittle batters and soggy veg. Breakfast was good though !

We picked up a large people carrier at Enterprise though we prefer smaller cars. Our Corsa takes the split up tandem very nicely.The manager there was really helpful despite  nearly all the staff disappearing off delivering cars to the ferry ports for people who couldn’t fly.(Iceland volcano)

 

The narrow Somerset lanes to Bob’s Uncle Austin’s & Judy’s house were hard to navigate with the larger vehicle. It was a reunion meal atCuddington , the Friendly Spirit pub and then the long journey home!