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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2011
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+1 for Avebury & Kennet&Avon canal. Cycle DOWN not UP the 30 or so locks at Caen hill, Devizes.

btw Oxford's not really on the way London to Cornwall.

London to Lands End is 300 miles and not really 'fun' cycling out of London. Maybe get train to Hampshire area (eg New Forest) & head west from there? Misses the large urban bit & gets you straight into scenery & quieter roads.
June isn't high season proper (as you say not school hols) so shouldn't be a problem camping - try googling 'campsites in (name of county)' and look for the small sites or pubs with a field at the back. I camp each year in Wiltshire and pay £3/night for one person + tent.

oldbmw - look on wikipedia for A11 - it lists the old route with current road names & numbers
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Old 20 Feb 2011
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Originally Posted by ntvfrog View Post
+1 for Avebury & Kennet&Avon canal. Cycle DOWN not UP the 30 or so locks at Caen hill, Devizes.

btw Oxford's not really on the way London to Cornwall.

London to Lands End is 300 miles and not really 'fun' cycling out of London. Maybe get train to Hampshire area (eg New Forest) & head west from there? Misses the large urban bit & gets you straight into scenery & quieter roads.
June isn't high season proper (as you say not school hols) so shouldn't be a problem camping - try googling 'campsites in (name of county)' and look for the small sites or pubs with a field at the back. I camp each year in Wiltshire and pay £3/night for one person + tent.

oldbmw - look on wikipedia for A11 - it lists the old route with current road names & numbers

Oh we won't cycling all the way. I'd be up for it but definitely not my wife. Just a series of day rides is about her limit. It's maybe a bit impractical but I much prefer sightseeing by foot or cycle, just driving for transport between towns.
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Old 20 Feb 2011
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Hiring bikes?
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Originally Posted by ntvfrog View Post
+1 for Avebury & Kennet&Avon canal. Cycle DOWN not UP the 30 or so locks at Caen hill, Devizes.
Hi, What are the prospects of hiring bikes like for all/part of this trip? I suspect it migth get complicated if we did want to ride from town to town, rather than returning to point of departure?

In earlier post I mentioned driving between towns, but train is just as good (better actually). That's just my Australian heritage colouring my choices... not many places you can go without driving here!

Colin
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Old 21 Feb 2011
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There are firms that hire bikes but don't know details. Try searching web.

National rail has an online leaflet - National rail cycling by train - on their website that lists how each company lets people transport pushbikes including restrictions (peak times around major cities mainly). Most carry bikes free of charge.
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Old 21 Feb 2011
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Hi Colin,
Could have a couch for you. Just let us know the dates when you're a bit more sorted.
Live a few minutes from the Plymbridge cycle path in Plymouth.
National Trust | Devon & Cornwall | Plymbridge Cycle Ride

You can wild camp on Dartmoor for free (fires aren't allowed). Most of the moor is unfenced so access is easy. Got a small gas stove you can borrow.

Cycle hire is collect and return from a single point. What about buying a used bike?
Plymouth Cycle Scene


The Bodmin to Padstow cycle path is nice. Flat too.
http://cornwall-devon.com/public/tra...=703&Y=550&Z=1

As for taking bikes on trains, you'll need to investigate this as you can't just turn up and expect you and the bike to get on.

Rich
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Old 21 Feb 2011
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really, why would you go to southern england if you have no money ? what's the draw for you ?
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  #7  
Old 22 Feb 2011
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G'day Colin

If you get down to Cornwall, then you're welcome to stopover here at my place in Newquay (north Cornish coast) .. the surfing capital of Britain. Some photos of a couple of our many fabulous beaches hereabouts.

Aussies have been bloody good to me in the recent past - and I'd love to return the compliment.

Cheers

Keith (& Ellen)

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Old 3 Mar 2011
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G'day Colin

If you get down to Cornwall, then you're welcome to stopover here at my place in Newquay (north Cornish coast) .. the surfing capital of Britain. Some photos of a couple of our many fabulous beaches hereabouts.

Aussies have been bloody good to me in the recent past - and I'd love to return the compliment.

Cheers

Keith (& Ellen)

.
A very kind offer. We almost certainly will be going to Cornwall. Perhaps oddly for an Aussie, I have never ridden a surfboard in my life! Is that acceptable?
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Old 3 Mar 2011
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Not quite "no money"
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Originally Posted by DougieB View Post
really, why would you go to southern england if you have no money ? what's the draw for you ?
Returning home to AUS after primary trip to Russia, where we are visiting an old friend. Never been to UK so it seems a pity to waste the opportunity.

Just trying to avoid expensive hotels and do low-key stuff to see a bit of countryside. Anyway, I get more of a kick out of cycling and walking than proper "tours".

My grandfather's family lived mostly around Cornwall, although as far as I know none still survive. It might interesting to investigate the family background. Bit of a long shot that I'll find any of the old homes, though.

Colin
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Old 22 Feb 2011
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Hi, What are the prospects of hiring bikes like for all/part of this trip? I suspect it migth get complicated if we did want to ride from town to town, rather than returning to point of departure?

Colin
I am fairly sure you can hire bicycles in Bath and possibly Bristol, there is a nice flat cycle path between the two on an old railway line, a return journey along that would make a good day out.
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Old 3 Mar 2011
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I am fairly sure you can hire bicycles in Bath and possibly Bristol, there is a nice flat cycle path between the two on an old railway line, a return journey along that would make a good day out.
Perfect! Well ... almost. Missus tends to ride a lot better on the back seat of a tandem so she can't run into stuff, but I guess she'll survive
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