15. West of England Bike Tour-29.07-04.08.79

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1979 > 15. West of England Bike Tour-29.07-04.08.79
An epic week-long trip by bike following the West of England mainline starting off at Castle Carry an ending up as far wast as the south Devon sea wall. I rode my trusty Claude Butler bike and carried everything I needed including my tent, cooking kit, food and all my railway paraphernalia including my radio cassette recorder and camera kit. I think that I may have left the national timetable at home! I wild camped in fields and had a great adventure. My dad rode with me as far as Castle Cary on the first day but from there on, I was on my own. The only rule was that I was to ring home every evening from a pay 'phone, no mobiles then. Quite what would have happened if something had gone wrong and I had been unable to call home I do, not know! This trip was the subject of an article in issue 241 of Traction.
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Home to Castle Cary-29.07.79 I left home near to Bradford-on-Avon with my dad for company and we rode to Castle Cary. Here I pitched camp in a field next to the railway line just beyond the A371 road bridge. In the night, it rained quite heavily but at least I had a reasonably good tent that kept me dry!
I left home near to Bradford-on-Avon with my dad for company and we rode to Castle Cary. Here I pitched camp in a field next to the railway line just beyond the A371 road bridge. In the night, it rained quite heavily but at least I had a reasonably good tent that kept me dry!
Castle Cary to Cogload-30.07.79 A disappointing day weather wise being cloudy and with a fresh wind blowing found me riding from Castle Cary to Cogload Junction. I set up camp just behind the signal box at Cogload and slept fitfully through what was a wild, wet and stormy night.
A disappointing day weather wise being cloudy and with a fresh wind blowing found me riding from Castle Cary to Cogload Junction. I set up camp just behind the signal box at Cogload and slept fitfully through what was a wild, wet and stormy night.
Cogload to Whiteball-31.07.79 After a wild night camping behind Cogload Junction signal box, it dawned bright and relatively sunny. After striking camp, I rode to Taunton, out to Silk Mill crossing, then to Wellington, finally ending up at a remote camping spot a short distance from Whiteball signal box high in the Black Down Hills just over the county boundary in Devon.
After a wild night camping behind Cogload Junction signal box, it dawned bright and relatively sunny. After striking camp, I rode to Taunton, out to Silk Mill crossing, then to Wellington, finally ending up at a remote camping spot a short distance from Whiteball signal box high in the Black Down Hills just over the county boundary in Devon.
Whiteball to Starcross-01.08.79 A fairly long day. After striking camp at Whiteball, I ambled my way down towards Exeter and then rode out as far as Starcross where I found a little spot to camp next to the line to the north of the village. I treated myself to some chips for my dinner! The weather had improved and whilst there was some cloud it was a sunny and warm summer's day.
A fairly long day. After striking camp at Whiteball, I ambled my way down towards Exeter and then rode out as far as Starcross where I found a little spot to camp next to the line to the north of the village. I treated myself to some chips for my dinner! The weather had improved and whilst there was some cloud it was a sunny and warm summer's day.
Starcross to Rewe-02.08.79 After packing up my bike after a night camping at Starcross I rode westwards on to the sea wall as far as I felt I could before turning for home. I then headed back to the other side of Exeter and enjoyed a night at a 'proper' campsite in the village of Rewe that included a much-needed shower!
After packing up my bike after a night camping at Starcross I rode westwards on to the sea wall as far as I felt I could before turning for home. I then headed back to the other side of Exeter and enjoyed a night at a 'proper' campsite in the village of Rewe that included a much-needed shower!
Rewe to Cogload-03.08.79 The penultimate day found me still in darkest Devon with a fair bit of riding to do. After a great night at my proper campsite in Rewe I set out to return to Cogload for the next night as I had an 'unofficial' visit to the box arranged. With a few stops on the way, I made it back to Cogload and set up camp behind the box again. As it transpired I need not have done so as I spent the whole night in the box 'assisting' the signalmen on duty!
The penultimate day found me still in darkest Devon with a fair bit of riding to do. After a great night at my proper campsite in Rewe I set out to return to Cogload for the next night as I had an 'unofficial' visit to the box arranged. With a few stops on the way, I made it back to Cogload and set up camp behind the box again. As it transpired I need not have done so as I spent the whole night in the box 'assisting' the signalmen on duty!
Cogload to home-04.08.79 After a night spent in Cogload signal box 'assisting' the signalman and packing up my kit, I headed for home. I was absolutely exhausted after losing a night's sleep and remember riding like a zombie back to Bradford-on-Avon!
After a night spent in Cogload signal box 'assisting' the signalman and packing up my kit, I headed for home. I was absolutely exhausted after losing a night's sleep and remember riding like a zombie back to Bradford-on-Avon!
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