Travellers’ Tales: The West Country Way

In 2021 we cycled King Alfred’s Way on our mountain bikes in a heatwave and, surprisingly, absolutely loved it. This year’s challenge was the West Country Way: 130 miles and 13,800ft of climbing from Plymouth to Minehead over three days, again in a heatwave. It didn’t start well. One husband got stuck on the very crowded Plymouth train helping us stow our bikes. The first stop after Reading was Taunton!

Things could only get better... and they did. Some highlights included: the early morning ride out of Plymouth on disused railway tracks; the joy of second mid-morning breakfasts and the inevitable ‘route advice’ given to us by café locals; the welcome cool of pushing our bikes through rivers in 30º heat; and the privilege of having the national parks virtually to ourselves.

We also enjoyed: the 7.30am ride along the Two Moors Way gouged into cliffs below Castle Drogo; whooping as we made it to the top of Dunkery Beacon in the mist (disturbing couples quietly picnicking – apologies); practising our herding skills on stubborn, path-blocking cows, ponies and a pig; and the many glorious downhill swoops in the Devon and Somerset countryside, the rewards for killer climbs.

Low points included the broom-cupboard-sized bike storage on the train, and the route across the very busy A361. The only sensible option we could find was lugging our mountain bikes along the boardwalks of the Two Moors Way footpath and humping them up over the trees holding up the boardwalk, which at least took us under the A361. We missed Cycling UK’s expert route planning!

The trip provided more memories to treasure of time spent cycling with three good friends (met through Wantage Cycling UK), who all value and support each other and who know when hysterical laughter is the only option!