One-day ride: Looe

From the Cornish coast to the wilds of Dartmoor — and more besides. Our oneday ride is the West Country at its finest

THERE ARE SO many good roads in the West Country but as locals will wearily confirm, many are busier when the Grockles are pumping money into the local economy. That’s the double-edged nature of tourist areas: visitors keep businesses ticking over but clog up the narrow lanes and create queues at pubs and cafés.

If you’re lucky enough to live there, you know this. The rest of us are better waiting until the schools are back, when a few late-season visitors are more welcome.

This one-day loop starts on the Cornish coast but heads inland, over Dartmoor and then up to Bude on the Devon coast. In between are miles of scenic, twisty tarmac. There are also cream teas, but that’s a debate we’re not getting drawn into…

STAGE ONE Looe to Tavistock 30 miles

Leave Looe on the B3253 towards Plymouth. After three miles turn left to Liskeard on the A387, then a mile later turn right to Liskeard on the B3252. Join the A38 to Liskeard, getting off at the first exit and crossing the town on the A390, following signs for Callington and Tavistock. Go left at the roundabout in Callington to go through the town centre on the A388 to Launceston. In Kelly Bray turn right on the B3257 to Tavistock. When meeting the A390 again, turn left to go into Tavistock.

Morning coffee Plenty of choice of café in Tavistock town centre. We like Café Liason, tucked away in a pedestrianised street behind the church. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a parking space beside the church or on West Street — otherwise it’s a lap of the one-way system.

STAGE TWO Tavistock to Winkleigh 40 miles

From Tavistock take the B3357 to Princetown. At Two Bridges turn left on the B3212 to Postbridge. Then in Moretonhampstead, turn left on to the A382 towards Exeter and Okehampton and keep following signs for the A30. In Whiddon Down turn right at the roundabout and about half a mile further on, turn left on the B3124 to Winkleigh. At the A3072, turn left towards Okehampton then take the first right, then the next right, then the first left to continue on the A3124 to Winkleigh.

Lunch Winkleigh’s a fairly small place so there’s not so much choice (if you’re not hungry hang on until Torrington for more choice). The Kings Arms is good but we recently had the Wright & Proper café recommended. Maybe give it a try.

STAGE THREE Winkleigh to Bude 45 miles

Continue along the A312 to Torrington. At the A386 turn right to Bideford and Torrington. Turn left at the mini-

roundabout by the garage. After three-quarters of a mile turn left on the B3227 to Langtree. Follow the road as, in Stibb Cross, it becomes the A388 to Holsworthy. In Holsworthy pick up the A3027 to Bude. After about five miles turn right on the B3254 to Kilkhampton. Turn left at the A39 to Bude. At the roundabout turn right following the signs to reach Bude town centre.

Afternoon tea

Spoilt for choice in Bude. We’d follow signs for the Parkside Centre parking area to reach the Wharf — where you’ll also find the Lock Gates Tea Room.

STAGE FOUR Bude to Looe 45 miles

From Bude, take the A3027 back towards Holdsworthy. After two-and-a-half miles turn right at the B3254 crossroads (the opposite way you went on stage three) to Launceston. Cross the town following signs for Bodmin. Go straight over the A30 and pick up the B3254, now heading to South Petherwin. Stay on this road all the way to Liskeard, turn right at the double roundabout and keep going, still on the B3254 to Duloe. When it meets the A387, turn right to return to Looe.