Exe cycle

It has been observed that, in the UK, there is a river Wye and a river Exe but, strangely, no river Zed. Or even Zee.

Today's ambitious cycle route took me to the mostly off-road Exe cycle way which runs either side of the Exe estuary.

I set out from Willand at about 06:45, to Exeter St David's (via Killerton) where the cycle way starts. I chose Dawlish Warren as my first destination but was quickly repelled by zillions of tourists (it was a bank holiday) so investigated Langstone Rock instead. This is a poor man's imitation of Uluru and, true to form, climbers are not encouraged. More important it hides a relatively quiet beach from the Dawlish Warren mob and, had I known then what Exmouth would be like, I would have stayed longer and maybe even have had a dip.

79.4 miles, 1403m gain, 10.2mph

I then retraced my steps (or pedals) back to the first bridge across the Exe (other than the M5 crossing) and thence down the other side of the estuary to Exmouth. Note to future ambitious cyclists: the route to Dawlish is fabulous, highly recommendable, provided you avoid the Warren. In contrast the route to Exmouth is rather piecemeal and poorly signposted, and Exmouth itself is to be avoided at all costs. There is a continuation of the off-road cycle way that follows a disused railway line and goes to Budleigh Salterton. Because of my infatuation with the coast I missed its beginning but thankfully stumbled upon it in my zeal to leave behind as fast as possible the Exmouth madding crowds. It (the cycle way) satisfied.

I tried asking Navigator (my freebie Android satnav app) for a bike route home and it kindly led me to a very narrow and very uphill road which degenerated into a track. I stopped and checked out my other maps only to find the track continued for many more miles, mostly uphill. At which point an angel walker arrived who replied, when I asked him if the track got any better "no, and I wouldn't want to do it on a bike".

I took his advice and will forever after bless him. Besides he reminded me of a colleague back in college days.

Needless to say the return to Willand was long and arduous and seemed to be mostly uphill. But I made it home in time for Afternoon Tea with Lemon Cake à la Ali.

River Culm just before it joins the Exe

Exe cycle way by the Exeter ship canal

The ship canal

Where the ship canal joins the sea

Dawlish - The sea, the sea!

The quiet beach - worth a return visit

Uluru

Powerham Castle estate on the right

Exmouth beach

The field I took my lunch in

Exmouth to Budleigh cycle way

River Otter, a rest stop on the way home