Dartmoor and the Coast to Dawlish Cycle Ride - Day One

A cycle ride starting at the north of Dartmoor in Devon and following Sustrans Cycle Route 27, The Granite Trail, south to Plymouth passing over Meldon Viaduct and through Grenofen Tunnel ending in Torquay.

I had two ideas some time ago, one to cycle the western side of Dartmoor and another to cycle Dawlish. I had to wait for Dartmoor as at the time as Okehampton station was closed. Dawlish on the other hand I realised would need to be an overnight stay to make it worth while and so both ideas remaining in my notebook waiting.

Since then Okehampton railway station, previously being a heritage line, had been opened as a regular national railway line. I finally came to the conclusion I could join the two cycle rides together for my first 2 day cycle adventure.

I quickly upgraded my cycle bag storage for overnight clothes, ordering a new bag for the next day, a Friday, with my trip planned for Monday. The weather forecast changed so I pushed it forward one day and I'm so glad I did.

The ride starting at the top of Dartmoor follows cycle route 27 which has many traffic free sections as well as country roads and rocky off road bits. I had a number of stop off points marked down and I was stunned from the beginning with the incredible Meldon Viaduct, the views of Dartmoor which were more towering and imposing than I ever imagined, two tunnels which were dripping wet and the winding trail all the way to Plymouth.

It was a challenging ride, the first third being quite an accessible easy-going trail but soon hitting road climbs, especially where the route cuts over the southern edge of Dartmoor and further on the section after Tavistock.

My day ends in Torquay after just over 42 miles of cycling and what a beautiful end it was.

In the next video will be Day Two that cycles the coast to Dawlish. I've been fascinated by Dawlish for a long time with its train line along the seafront, trains getting soaked by sea waves during storm times and the train winding in and out of tunnels along beaches.

I hope you enjoy day one.