20 Classic Sportive Rides in South West England. Colin Dennis

Plymouth & Launceston

       202 Torbay & South Dartmoor

Navigation

      The navigation in this guidebook is designed to be as intuitive and straightforward as possible. While none are onerous, some routes are easier to navigate than others. While clearly not in the game of stopping unnecessarily, there may be times when a quick reference to the route guide is required. If you’ve downloaded the route into your GPS, smartphone or other navigation aid, so much the better. Keep the book handy when out on a ride but remember: never read a map or guidebook while moving; always pull over first.

      In lieu of direction arrows that would guide you around a sportive event, normal road signage now becomes your replacement arrows. The road signage throughout the routes in this guide is generally well maintained, but there’s always the chance that now and again one will try to trip you up with washed-out lettering. It’s important to spend time studying the routes beforehand to help familiarise yourself with the ride.

      Bear in mind that chatting away to your ride partner can cause wrong turns to be taken. Speed is another reason to miss a turn – going too fast downhill or pedalling hard with your head down results in a loss of concentration and missing that all-important junction. Remember: these rides are training routes, not races. Stay in control of your bike, look where you’re going, enjoy the beautiful scenery – and check the signage.

Feed stations

      As the only power source for your bike, you need to refuel yourself during a ride. Pubs, village shops, post offices, garages and cafés act as food and drink stations. Regardless of distance, any ride can feel like a long way from home when it’s cold, wet and windy, especially on the high moors of Exmoor and Dartmoor. Don’t make it any harder for yourself by cycling on an empty tank.

      Build it into your training regime: Tea, jam and clotted cream

      Carry plenty of food, water and energy bars (bars and gels can be crammed into rear pockets or stuffed into small feedbags on your bike). Top-up water bottles at every opportunity and refuel as you ride. Also remember that it’s important to be self-reliant as much as possible; some pubs or cafés en route may not be open if you’re heading out in the early morning.

      The old training maxim applies to everyone: drink before you’re thirsty and eat before you’re hungry. Keep your energy levels up and replenish little and often as you go along – your performance and recovery levels will benefit dramatically.

      Time for a tea break at Guiting Power (Route 13)

Using this guide

      Cycle sportive events often cater for two or three distances: 100 miles, 50 miles or even fewer, and, depending on the rider’s aspirations and fitness levels, a suitable route can be chosen. The routes in this guidebook are designed to offer a happy medium across the distances involved and, importantly, provide some insight into what to expect when covering longer and more challenging distances by road bike.

      Each route is designed for both newcomers and experienced sportive riders alike. Having built up a base level of fitness and stamina, any fledgling sportive riders will soon feel the benefit of testing themselves against the distances and terrain involved. More experienced riders will enjoy the challenging nature of this region and the opportunity to discover new routes on which to test themselves in the most scenic areas of England’s south west.

      As in any well organised sportive route, the majority of mileage covered in this guide is on quiet country roads and lanes. B roads are kept to a minimum and are generally quiet as far as traffic is concerned. Major road sections are only used when unavoidable but integral to the route. Right-hand turns, especially on A and B roads, are kept to a minimum and used only where necessary. As nice as it might seem, it would be near impossible to have left-hand turns only and still create a worthwhile route.

      Just like anywhere else in the UK, the quality of road surfaces in England’s south west is a lottery. From mud-covered farm tracks to fresh licks of tarmac, you will encounter every type of surface. It’s also worth noting that the class of road often has no reflection on its state of repair.

      All the routes in this guide can be downloaded and are compatible for GPS. Each route is original in its concept, is the creation of the author, and is designed to cover areas in which sportive rides are popular. Any similarity to existing sportive events is purely coincidental. The intention is also that the routes should be as close as possible to built-up areas. Not every route needs to be a ‘destination’ ride but, if you’re lucky enough to live close to a route, riders can start from a more convenient point.

      Route maps and profiles show you what to expect during each ride, and refreshment stops and bike shops have been plotted onto the maps with easy-to-spot icons. The route summary table at the start of the guide gives an overview detailing the basics of the 20 routes: location, start and finish point, distance, ascent, grade and approximate time. Appendix A lists bike shops and cycle repair outfits on a route-by-route basis, should you have any bike maintenance emergencies. Appendix B lists useful websites for sportive organisations and accommodation, as well as contact details for local hospitals.

      Timings

      Timing are subjective and should only be used as a guide: café stops, puncture repairs, fitness levels, type of terrain (hilly rather than flat) and weather conditions are just a few internal and external influences on the time taken to ride a particular route.

      There will always be exceptions to the rule, of course. if Chris Froome finds himself holidaying in Cornwall, he could rightly expect to set a premium time for Atlantic Roller.

      The Blackdown Hills: once ridden, never forgotten (Route 6)

      Cadence