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Caption: Devon Coast to Coast June Microadventure
Caption: 100 miles long, the Devon Coast to Coast runs from the beaches and estuaries of North Devon, the verdant valleys of the Torridge, Tavy and Walkham rivers and vistas of Dartmoor and the lower lying lands of Cornwall from its western flanks, into the bustle of Plymouth.
An inviting solo trip for my Giant hybrid bike, ancient Kyham tent, sleeping bag and a change of clothes.
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Caption: Heavy bike Ready for the off!
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Caption: Ilfracombe Harbour Overlooking the harbour is St Nicholas Chapel, housing the UKs oldest working lighthouse.
Damien Hirst's 'Verity', a 20m tall bronze statue of a pregnant women overlooks the harbour entrance.
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Caption: Negotiated the ice cream tourists. Enthusiasm powered me up and out of Ilfracombe. First photo stop on the disused railway path. No ball games!
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Caption: Cycled the Tarka Trail to Barnstaple where this sign would seem to indicate that anything north of Exmoor is "up yonder" 😀
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Caption: The Tarka Trail continues from Barnstaple to Bideford. I have to say that some of the long straight bits towards Fremington and Yelland were just a bit dull. 20 miles done.
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Caption: Day 1 Ilfracombe to East Yarde 34.5 miles done.
Pitched my tent beside these beauties. Beautiful end to a beautiful day. Homemade cider assisted some sleep before the farmer started bailing hay at midnight!
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Caption: First glimpse of Dartmoor
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Caption: Quintessential English village square and cricket at Hatherleigh. And the sun shone on occasions.
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Caption: I broke out of the trees onto the viaduct and this was my first view of the moor.
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Caption: Why is it called "The Granite Way"?
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Caption: The Devon "Dark Hedges" ?
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Caption: Day 2 East Yarde to Lydford Another 33 miles done; 67.5 miles in total.
Top field camping with a view of the moor.
Lovely dinner and sleep having bought a sleeping mat en route!
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Caption: Top tip - pick a honeysuckle flower and put it in your tent to obliterate the smell of cycle clothing.
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Caption: Someone was lying.
It was more than 13miles to Plymouth from Tavistock!
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Caption: Explaining the Year of Microadventures to anyone who'd listen!
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Caption: Drakes Trail - a study of green.
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Caption: Day 3 Lydford to Plymouth 33 miles done. 100 miles in total and a wheel in the sea
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Caption: Done! Smug me on a train on the way home!