Okehampton to Plymouth by Bike

A breakfast in bed of coffee and warm croissants was the perfect way to get things going before setting out into a glorious Devonshire morning.

We set out from Okehampton on a trail called the ‘Granite Way’ that followed another old railway line south. There were some impressive bridges to cross and great morning views.

We passed a few bikers cafes and other alluring signs, but were too early to warrant a stop. Partly this was due to the distance still to cover and partly due to the fact we were still full from breakfast!

There were a few sections through the woods on small trails, but mostly it was good tracks and back roads. We came across a castle, a fort and a few churches where we stopped for rests.

The best church was called Brentor Church and is actually situated up on the top of a Tor!

After a bit of up and down, we rolled the final two miles down into Tavistock for a rest.

Here we looked around the markets, but resisted the smell of fresh pasties and enjoyed our own snacks and flask in the town square, while watching the world go by.

Out of Tavistock, there were more tunnels and eventually a long climb up onto the moors at Yealverton. I’d been here on a climbing trip in June, so knew where to head to for a good hot pasty and a brew! 40km into the day and we were certainly ready for a stop.

Although Plymouth was still 25km away, the route was almost entirely downhill! Feeling well fed and with the end in sight (and knowing there were no big hills!), we coasted at high speed through ancient oak and beech forests.

When we reached the coast, we had to follow the estuary around to Plymouth Hoe and the Barbican. As we left the quiet tranquillity of the forest, we suddenly found ourselves alongside the roar of a main road busy with four lanes of fast city traffic. We could barely hear each other over the engines as we sped towards the harbour.

Just as the sun was getting low in the sky we reached the promenade which marks the end of the ‘Coast to Coast’ adventure.

A few minutes later, we were greeted by a one man welcome committee in the form of Wally who had come over from Cornwall to find us and bought us a congratulatory drink at a cafe with a superb sunset vista!

A great way to finish the ride and another social along the way!

We stayed with Walter until the sun dipped below the horizon, then not wanting to be cycling in the dark, made the final kilometre to the hotel we’d booked.

It was a grand place indeed and full of history. And best of all, we were asked to wheel our bikes straight in through the front door, where a Halloween witch directed us to the ballroom where we stashed our bikes as it was not in use that evening. Bonkers.

In our enormous old room (suite) on the top floor, we freshened up, dug out the cleanest clothes we had went down the massive staircase for some fine dining under a huge chandelier covered dining room.