Cycling is a great way to explore Ruby Country with its many routes and trails, including the Ruby Way and National Cycle Route 3, as well as the many quiet lanes and bridleways. The new Pegasus Way once complete will provide a link route from the Granite Way to the Ruby Way in Cookworthy Forest. The Ruby Way also links into the world renowned Tarka Trail.
Ruby Country is a superb place to spend part or all of your cycling holiday. Alternatively you may be inspired to bring your bicycle with you on holiday and spend time enjoying the peace and tranquillity in this rural and timeless part of north Devon. There are many places to stay where cyclists are welcome.
Stop press: It is now possible to follow a cycling route from France to Devon using the new Velodyssey. Scroll to the bottom of the page for more information and links to the web site.
Ruby Cycle Routes
Ride the Ruby Country has developed a new range of circuits, available to download. These new routes enable you to explore Ruby Country at your own pace, whilst cycling through some outstanding countryside and reconnecting with our natural environment. Using quiet country lanes and off road sections on the Ruby Way and Pegasus Way, the routes keep away from busy roads wherever possible and often pass places to eat and drink, visit and stay. Why not spend a week on your bicycle in Ruby Country? It’s a great way to relax, stay healthy and save money! To discover downloadable routes for cycling in Ruby Country click here.
Ruby Country is covered by OS Explorer maps 111, 112, 113 and 126.
Bikes for Hire
Devon Cycle Hire
Devon Cycle Hire, Sourton Down, Okehampton EX20 4HR Tel: 01837 861 141
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Ride IT Cycles. Lansdown Road, BUDE. EX23 8BN 01288 359247
Roadford Lake
With over 730 acres of water, Roadford Lake is a spectacular lake in Ruby Country set on the edge of Dartmoor between Okehampton and Launceston. On the southern bank is the Lakeside cafe and Function Suite which includes a Visitor Centre. The Lakeside cafe and gift shop and Visitor Centre are open daily.
Visitors to this side of the lake can enjoy miles of footpaths and a cycleway which winds its way through a maturing planted forest overlooking the Lake.
Download the Roadford Lakes Brochure for more information (PDF Download).
Tamar Lakes
Located in the north west of Ruby Country on the border with Cornwall, Tamar Lakes offer something for everyone, from water sports to bird watching.
There are many miles of paths suitable for cycling following the shorelines of the two lakes, meandering through woodland and on to open countryside.
Download the Tamar Lakes Brochure for more information (PDF Download).
Cookworthy Forest
Owned by the Forestry Commission Cookworthy Forest is an impressive conifer plantation in the gentle hills of West Devon, between Okehampton and Bude. A cycle ride in Cookworthy Forest will bring you in close contact with a wide variety of wildlife including ravens, buzzards and red deer. Cookworthy Forest is an important destination on the Ruby Way, where you can link in to the Pegasus Way and cycle all the way to Dartmoor and beyond.
Cycling in Devon
Devon County Council provide more information on cycling and cycling holidays in the area on their website.
Devon County Councils publication Cycling in Devon click here
Cycle Devon another Devon County Council website also has good advice on all things to do with cycling in Devon.
Cycling in West Devon
West Devon is blessed with a wide range of landscapes including Dartmoor National Park, the Tamar ValleyArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Ruby Country. There are many ways to get out and about in West Devon by foot, bike, sail or riding, both onformally and by following recognised routes.
To download information and maps about the West Devon Cycle Routes, click here.
To download information about Okehampton Cycle Routes, click here.
Sustrans
Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. In Devon Sustrans works in partnership with Devon County Council to develop and manage the National Cycle Network. Visit the Sustrans website to learn where to cycle near you.
National Cycle Network Route 3
National Route 3 of the National Cycle Network connects Land’s End in Cornwall to Bristol via St. Austell, Bude, Barnstaple, Taunton and Wells. It runs from east to west across Ruby Country. The route is fully open and signed, though improvements are still planned to create more traffic-free route options along the route.
National Cycle Network Route 27
National Route 27 of the National Cycle Network is open and signed from Ilfracombe to Plymouth and is known as the Devon Coast to Coast cycle route. It crosses Ruby Country from north to south.
Atlantic Trail
The Atlantic Trail is the proposed name for the whole entity of multi-use paths, cycle routes and cycling opportunities/attractions centred on, and radiating out from Bude’s stunning location on the North Cornwall coast. The Atlantic Trail links in to Ruby Country via the Ruby Way and National Cycle Network Route 3.
La Velodyssey
Straddling the English Channel, linking France to Devon, La Velodyssey is one of the 15 European Cycle routes making up EuroVelo1, criss-crossing Europe.
Whether you’re looking for a challenge or a leisurely cycle ride, Velodyssey has something for everyone.
Get on your bike and experience the wild beauty of a cycle route covering more than 1,200 kilometres from Brittany down the Atlantic coast to the border with Spain. The sea is never very far away as you discover the best each region has to offer along France’s longest waymarked cycle trail.
With our interactive maps and recommendations of the most suitable places for cyclists to stay, you can plan your very own Velodyssey in advance or just take off on the spur of the moment. You’ll find special offers, our pick of the best attractions to visit and reviews by those who’ve done the route. A voyage of discovery awaits you!
For more information visit: www.cycling-lavelodyssee.com