It’s almost time to don the rack and panniers again. I’ve just booked another 3 day ride to Babbcombe, Torquay again in September. It’s a favourite long weekend destination Sally and I both enjoy. My first ride there was in 2020, amid the pandemic. Remember that? I didn’t ride it again until last year, but I really enjoyed the different route on Day 3 taking in the Starcross Ferry across the Exmouth estuary. Much better than trying to stay alive in the traffic sewer around Exeter. That place is a horrific place to ride.
The plan is the same except I’ve tweaked the routes I rode last year to give me some different roads, towns and terrain to see. I’m staying in the same B&B’s on Wed and Thurs night too. They worked well. I just hope the heat isn’t as bad. I’ll never forget climbing Frocester Hill towards the end of Day 1 in 35 degs and really suffering but thinking I have no choice I have to just get to the top. Then trying to sleep in a roasting hot bedroom. The breakfast in a drawer the following morning was a laugh though. You can be greedy and eat everything without anyone watching 🙂
Starting on a Wednesday again, Day 1 is a little shorter at 113km but more direct than last year avoiding Worcester City Centre. I take B roads to Tewkesbury and then pick up the canal in Gloucester for a short section which I really like. After that, familiar lanes skirt the Severn Estuary to Frampton-on-Severn, then it’s a short section of the A38 before a different route into Dursley via some back lanes I’ve not done before.
Day 2 is climbing straight out of the gate again but I’ve opted for a re-route as last year the lanes I chose were so broken it was almost offroad and included a very sketchy 25%+ descent which wasn’t much fun. The route follows a similar path early on through Wooton-under-Edge and Chipping Sodbury then skirting the eastern side of Bristol through Yate and Keynsham. I’ve taken a different route across the Mendips avoiding Cheddar Gorge. It is an iconic bit of road but the tourists and traffic spoil it so I’ve decided to just crack on without it. As a result, I take a slightly different path across the Somerset levels until I reach Creech St. Michael again for the night on the outskirts of Taunton. This is the longest day @ 118km.
Day 3 is the shortest distance but has the most climbing. Coming in at a shade under 100km and 1500m, the elevation will make up for it. I quickly get into the Blackdown Hills and a lengthy climb up onto the plateau. After traversing that I eventually drop off via Honiton heading straight for the coast. Last year I enjoyed a fabulous lunch on the beach at Budleigh Salterton, I hope I can do it again. From there its Exmouth to pick up the ferry across to Dawlish and a final fling with the hills on the run into Torquay from Teignmouth. I hope Sally is waiting on the downs for me with a beer.
With 3 days and 200 miles in the bag, I can then kick back and enjoy a long weekend in Babbacombe. Fingers crossed, Fish n Chips in Brixham will be on the cards. Hands down the best in the world.
Adios
