Devon

Coast to Coast Information Pack

How to get there About the route What to expect Preparation Fundraising

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GETTING TO THE C2C: Arriving by car: If you have to bring a van/car with you, it is best to plan ahead and arrange parking. Getting there by train: If arriving by train book a cycle reservation along with your seat ticket if possible (some branch lines have bike space that cant be reserved) or even better, use a folding bike as they require reservations. Always check if peck time bans apply to bikes. Cross Country Services from north to south, to Exeter St Davids and Plymouth. Bike reservations are free but only two per train. Tel 0844 811 0124 First Great Western Services from London and the south to the West Country. Bikes go free. Reservations advised and compulsory for some services. Note cycle spaces between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple non-reservable. Tel: 0845 7000 125 South West Train Services from London and the south. Bikes go free. Reservation required on some services. Some cycle carriage restrictions. Tel 0845 6000 650 At the end of your cycle: Don't forget at the end of the ride you're likely to be tired so suggest either leaving your vehicle in Plymouth ready for your departure rather than taking the train back to IIfracombe. ABOUT THE ROUTE We will begin by Ilfracombes imposing harbor, before heading south to Braunton to join the very popular Tarka Trail along the Taw and Torridge estuaries, then head inland. Well leave the Tarka Trail behind to head through the market town of Okehampton and pass wild scenery along the western edge of Dartmoor. Through Tavistock well gradually descend to meet the off road Plym Valley Trail to arrive at Plymouths spectacular waterfront. This is a moderately hard route and ranges from very easy former railways tracks of the Tarka and Plym Valley Trails to some challenging gradient, especially along the western edge of Dartmoor. With highlights such as the Meldon Viaduct, specially converted for cycle use, the Devon Coast to Coast is an unforgettable two wheeled journey through a stunningly beautiful county.

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 WHAT TO EXPECT Track surface The route is a mixture of easy traffic-free trails, such as Tarka Trail (now almost entirely tarmac), quite minor roads and bridleway tracks. The very occasional more difficult bridleway tracks are are usually located on an alternative route option, meaning these sections arent compulsory. There easiest section is saved until last, with an effortless downhill glide to Plymouth along the Plym Valley. Waymarking The Devon Coast to Coast is itself National Route 27. You may also see Sustrans Nation route 3 The West Country Way.

MAIN BIKE TRAILS USED Ilfracombe to Willingcott Relatively short at 3 miles long, but youll be extremely grateful for, as it helps you avoid the steep gradients out of Ilfracombe. The Tarka Trail 30 miles on an excellent traffic free path with easy pedaling. The route uses sections from Braunton to near Petrockstowe. Granite Way Traffic free for 10.5 miles from Okehampton to Lydford. The Plym Valley Trail 9 miles, mainly along a disused railway bed. From Goodameavy near Clearbrook to Laira Bridge in Plymouth, passing through Saltram and alongside the Plym estuary. PREPARATION The Devon C2C is a moderately hard route so it is important to ensure you have your training preparation covered. Although the route rarely manages to climb to more than 250m (820ft) the rolling hills of Devon mean you should be prepared for numerous smaller climbs. Basic fitness and at least some cycling experience is advised. The tough section is probably the off road option before and after Tavistock, along the western edge of Dartmoor then across the Walkham Valley via Grenofen Bridge. The flat surface of the Tarka and Plym Valley Trails is leisure cycling at its easiest. PROGRAM: Day 1 Ilfracombe Bideford Tough gradients out of Ilfracombe will give you spectacular views over this wonderfully varied coastline. Theres a marked change at Braunton where you join the easy Tarka Trail alongside the serene tidal scenery of the Taw and Torridge estuaries to pass through the charms of Barnstaple and Bideford, almost entirely on rail path.

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 Day 2 Bideford Tavistock Easy progress continues on the Tarka Trail from Bideford until just before Petrockstowe. The Tarka Trail stays by the River Torridge until just before Great Torrington, which can be visited along a spur off the route. More undulating minor roads predominate after this, to take you through Hatherleigh to Okehampton. Gradually, rolling green countryside supersedes the beautiful Torridge Valley. After an easy ride down the traffic free Granite Way there is some tough climbing rewarded by beautiful views; the crossing of the Meldon Viaduct and the views around North Brentor are truly memorable. After a short but fairly rough off road section leading to Peter Tavy the route splits. A new link with specially constructed traffic free sections means you can now go to Tavistock centre via Harford Bridge, picking up sections of the old railway line into Tavistock. Torridge Valley Tarka Trail Granite Way Day 3 Tavistock Plymouth After Tavistock the off road option switches to the west and features a very severe uphill push after Grenofen Bridge. To continue on the on road option we will make our way from Tavistock centre on minor roads over Whitchurch Down, though this route is not signed. At Warrens Cross we will join the eastern route option. Here the easy descent along the well surfaces, off road Plym Valley trail begins and a spectacular finish at Plymouths waterfront awaits!

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 FUNDRAISING
Back Up wouldnt be able to provide their vital services without the people who support them. This year we want to raise as much money as possible for this amazing charity to make sure they can keep supporting people after a life changing injury. What is Back Up? Back Up is a national charity that has helped thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds rebuild their confidence and independence after a devastating spinal cord injury. Their wheelchair skills training, mentoring service and rehabilitative activity courses are all run by people who have a spinal cord injury themselves. They also support people to overcome the challenges of returning to work or school. How can I start my fundraising? We have already set up a fundraising page on Virgin Money Giving. If you would like to be added to this page then email DevonC2C@gmail.com and we will send you an invitation email to sign in with. If you would prefer to set up your own online page then all you need to do is log on to www.virginmoneygiving.com and click start fundraising You might also find it useful to have some paper sponsorship forms to pin up in your office. These can be downloaded from www.backuptrust.org.uk/communitygiving

Fundraising ideas Heres just a few of our favourite fundraising ideas! Fire up the Barbie Wacky races Invite family and friends, get some Ducks real or plastic. burgers, buns, sausages and sauces. Grab a Snails dont make the course too long. few beers and soft drinks and ask for a Sheep ewe better keep an eye on them. tasty donation for the Toy cars feel the need for speed on the gorgeous grub. Scalextric track. Babies be warned, losers do throw their toys out of their pram. Caption competition Choose a funny photo from your last Guess the weight of holiday or office party and hold a Colleagues newborn babies, the huge cake that caption competition. Entrants pay p er is first prize in the Guess the weight caption and the winner receives the competition, anything and everything you can framed photo to display on their desk think of that will fit on a set of scales. or notice board. If its an embarrassing photo, people might pay you n ot to display it.

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PUBS AND RESTAURANTS ON ROUTE

Ilfracombe
Combe Cottage Restaurant and Cafe The Olive Room The Angel The Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar Giovanni's & Luca's Seventy One Settantanove Pizzeria Emperor's Court Eclectick The George and Dragon The Prince of Wales

Address 1 63 High Street 56 Fore Street 23 Church Street 62 Fore St Searock Apartments 71 Fore Street 79 High Street 59 High Street 26 Fore Street 4-5 Fore Street 2 Fore Street Golf Links Road 12 Cooper Street Merley Road 4 Cooper Street 49 Torrington Street Buckland Brewer Queen Street 4 - 8 Pepper Street 22 Market Street 3 Church Lane Yvonne & Edna House Market Road Parkwood Road 2 Whitchurch Road Church Hill

Address 2 Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Ilfracombe Bideford Bideford Bideford Bideford Bideford Bideford Bideford Tavistock Tavistock Tavistock Tavistock Tavistock Tavistock Tavistock

Postcode EX34 9QE EX34 9DJ EX34 9ED EX34 9ED EX34 9NQ EX34 9QB EX34 9DJ EX34 9ED EX34 9ED EX39 1LH EX392DA EX39 1JS EX39 2DA EX39 4DP EX39 5LU EX39 3JG PL19 OBD PL19 0DD PL19 0BW PL19 0JS PL19 9BB PL19 9ED

Telephone 01271 862605 07533 333976 01271 866833 01271 863482 01271 879394 01271 863632 01271 865 982 01271 855788 01271 866 900 01271 863 851 01271 866 391 01237 474494 01237 420444 01237 473263 01237 476447 01237 473399 01237 451395 01237 473203 01822 612 117 01822 613045 01822 612225 01822 615665 01822 618886 01822 613556 01822 612181

Bideford
Potwallopers Velvet & Vanilla The Pier House Lathwells The Riverbank Bar Bistro The Coach and Horses The White Hart

Tavistock
Robertson's Organic Cafe Taylor's Cafe Liaison The East Gate Brasserie Trout & Tipple Market Inn The Whitchurch Inn

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If you are a Group Leader please ensure you have this information on you at all times
Please ensure all your team members have informed the C2C team of any medical conditions they have. This information will be shared with medical professionals only. In the event of a medical emergency, please contact a member of the C2C team on the below numbers. SCI Nurse Claire Lewis - 07970 221547 C2C Organiser Will Penrice 07505 300602 C2C Support Team Natalie Wood 07903 444008 Ally Ward 07818 061683 Matt Miller 07918 707476 Hospitals North Devon Hospital Raleigh Park Barnstaple, EX31 4JB 01271 322 577 Bideford Hospital Abbotsham Road EX39 3AG 01237 420 200 (minor A&E injuries only) Okehampton Community Hospital Cavell Way Okehampton, EX20 1PN 01837 658000 Tavistock Hospital Spring Hill, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8LD 01822 612233 (minor A&E injuries only) Derriford Hospital Crownhill Road, Derriford, Plymouth, Devon PL6 8DH 0845 155 8155

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