About The West Country Way cycle route.
Introduction
The West country way (WCW) can be cycled in either direction, starting of finishing in Padstow. One advantage about starting in Cornwall is that the wind will be behind you most of the time, due to the westerleys.
However, don't feel restricted to cycle the parts that are waymarked, you should have 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for the sections you are doing. This is so if you go off the Sustrans map you won't get lost and also you can check where you are with an OS map as it will have landmarks and land features on it that are not always on the Sustrans maps.
The bike route is approximately 250 miles, which starts from Bristol, and follows a well signposted route to Glastonbury and the Mendip hills, then to the North Devon coast, which leads into the Exmoor National Park and down to the North Cornwall coast and the finish at Padstow. 3 sets of hills, plenty of time to relax and lots of tourist spots you will want to visit again!
The bike journey can be done in 8 days by anyone who has done a bit of cycling, we were lucky we escaped the rain, however you should be prepared for the worst weather anytime of year. This is England!
Need to know facts
- View the route overview map at the Sustrans web site
- Route: Bristol/Bath to Padstow, or vice versa
- Distance: 252 miles of which 75 are traffic-free
- 3 challenging Hilly sections - The Mendip Hills, Somerset, The Exmoor National Park, Devon, and Bodmin Moor, Cornwall (all link to external pages).
What to take - 'Kitlist'
- Mountain bike, or hybrid in good working order (serviced regularly)
- Repair kit - inner tube, levers, patches, and pump
- Bike Rack - for pannier bags, water, shopping and camping kit
- Pannier bags - Worth the investment, they last forever and will protect all your kit
- Trainers - that fit the pedals well
- Bike shorts, or hard wearing shorts
- Food - eg: Snack bars, packet soups, sauces, rice. You will not be remote, shops in every town on route.
- Water container(s) - camelbak or 2 litre container
- Waterproofs - Jacket and trousers, not just useful for when cycling
- Bike lights and headtorch - Depending on time of year, it may get dark as you are finishing the day
- Camping Kit - If you choose to camp, take a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, ground sheet
- Cooking bits - stove, pans, utensils, plate(s), detergent
Once you think you are ready - get all your kit together and do a few day trips out in your local area - to see how prepared your bike is for the trip, but more importantly whether you are fit enough!
Public transport to start/from finish
- First Great Western - Trains to the west country
- National Rail - Check train times from all parts of the UK
- Official guide to the West Country - Tourism board web site