Synopsis: A chance to inspect the new cycle/foot bridge that spans the River Clyst near Topsham. A glorious fresh and sunny winter’s day was ideal to blow away the cobwebs.
(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album)Inspiration for this cycle ride was my catching sight about a week prior to today the news article that announced that the new cycle/foot bridge over the River Clyst had been opened (Devon Exe Trail nearer with bridge opening). I’d been watching with keen interest the progress on construction of this bridge throughout the summer. With a clear sunny day forecast, and a semi-new bicycle in my garage, today seemed the perfect opportunity to get cycling.
To explain the ‘semi-new bicycle’ phrase above. Yesterday I took my rather lame bicycle along to my friendly local cycle shop, Richard’s Bikes, and asked for a diagnosis. Apparently, after 5.5 years of cycling the transmission was shot through excessive wear to chainset, cassette and chain. The only thing for it was completely new replacement of these parts, and so I left my bike in their capable hands for treatment. Upon recovering my bicycle I discovered that such a major overhaul as it had undergone made my bicycle feel semi-new. I was keen to give it a trial outing.
Topsham - duck and geese landing jetty
Today’s route was, apart from the new bridge section, completely familiar to me, as this is an exercise route of mine that I’ll use simply to get heart and lungs pumping. The route is largely level with only a small number of inclines (chance to try out my new lower gear ratios). I took my time passing through Topsham simply to take in the ambience of this lovely village.
Topsham - Cycle Route 2 out of Topsham, with Route 2 café on the left
The route to the new bridge is signposted from Topsham Quay, not far from The Lighter pub, passing the Route 2 café up Monmouth Hill. A little way along this road the route enters Monmouth Street on the left. There are lovely cottages and elegant town houses dotted all along these roads.
Topsham - Route 2, take left - under railway bridge for start of new cycleway section
Climbing steadily out of Topsham into a country lane at the top of which I took a right at a T-junction descending to where the new section of the trail is entered on the left of the lane. It’s easy to spot, as there’s a substantial gate just ahead of a bridge carrying the railway overhead.
New Route 2 cycleway section and bridge
I was now on the newly constructed section of the Exe Estuary trail. I started on a compounded gravel track soon moving onto a planked carriage supported above the estuary marshes. Interestingly I noted that little viewing bays along the route with slits through which it’s possible to look out onto the marshes. This I felt was a nice detail.
New Route 2 cycleway section and bridge
I think the new bridge is a great success. It cuts the distance for this section down considerably, and avoids what was an unpleasant stretch along a narrow path adjacent to a very busy road. This new section is so much more pleasant and a good deal safer than the previous route. I can see it becoming very popular with cyclists and pedestrians alike.
Exmouth - shelter on the promenade, my lunch stop
I permitted myself no more stops for photos on my route from here to Exmouth. Well, time was marching on and I was getting hungry. I parked my bicycle up on on railings (oddly, there’s very little cycle parking in Exmouth) and perched myself comfortable and warm in the sun of one of the shelters along the promenade. The protection from the wind was welcome, as this carried quite a chill with it. Once in the shelter the sun was more than strong enough to keep me warm and cosy.
In my mind was the question has Exmouth changed much over the years? Well, I suppose the answer depends on where in Exmouth you are when you ask that question. But on the whole, I would say that much of Exmouth has changed very little through the years. The Francis Frith photographic collection has quite a few old photos of Exmouth and is worth browsing, of which the photo below on the left is one such example, with my shot from the roughly similar location on the right.
Exmouth - Orcombe Point - Geoneedle
After my lunch I embarked on a little walk across the grassy hillocks of The Maer, where once we used to play rounders and have barbecues as an extended family. I then picked up the cliff path out to the Geoneedle at Orcombe Point. They’ve added some seating and landscaped the surrounding area in recent years. It offers superb views.
Exmouth - Orcombe Point
I then took some wooden steps on Orcombe Point dropping down to the beach and walked along the sand till I picked up the path along Queen’s Drive.
Exmouth - winter storms shifting the sand dunes - little pyramids of replaced sand
Walking swiftly along here I hesitated only momentarily to look at the sand dunes which have already taken quite a pounding this winter, with much of the sand skimmed from the top of the dunes and deposited on the path and road. A digger and truck were valiantly battling to redeposit this sand back on the beach, forming what looked like a line of little pyramids in front of the dunes. I suspect this maybe a futile endeavour.
A most enjoyable day’s cycling. Bike was in good shape after it’s remedial treatment of the day before. And I wasn’t in too bad a condition myself, for an oldie.
Cycle/Walk Statistics:
Total Distance (Combined Cycle/Walk): 23.2 miles -:- (Walk): 3.0 miles
Elapsed Time (Combined Cycle/Walk): 4hrs 29min -:- (Walk): 1hrs 25min
Moving Time (Combined Cycle/Walk): 3hrs 37min
Stopped Time (Combined Cycle/Walk): 0hr 52min
Total Ascent (Combined Cycle/Walk): 395 metres
Maximum Elevation (Combined Cycle/Walk): 51 metres
Buses: (none)
Cycled from Exeter to walk start/finish point in Exmouth
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