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Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Tavistock via Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
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Cycling the Plym Valley Way
Plymouth to Yelverton along a disused railway line
(Photos/words © urban75, May 2007)

After arriving in Plymouth we got a bit lost and had to ride along a pretty hideous cycle track wedged next to a stretch of dual carriageway before picking up the Plym Valley route at Marsh Mills.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
The route to Marsh Mills was pretty grim, with the cycle track being routed around supermarkets and under some ugly flyovers.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
At Marsh Mills the cycle track runs alongside a rarely used freight line.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
We passed a couple of level crossings although it looked like there hadn't been a train on these tracks for some time.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Overgrown tracks on the way to Marsh Mills.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
We passed a preserved stretch of railway, owned by the external link Plym Valley Railway who aim to re-build a 1.25 mile stretch of the line that once reached across to Launceston, via Tavistock.

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Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
After the noise and bustle of the A374, it was great to enjoy a ride through this quiet wooded glade.

East Anglian Game and Country Fair, Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Cycling through Plymbridge Woods - a 2 mile stretch of National Trust woodland with a huge variety of tree species and habitats - on the route of the old railway line.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Old bridge over the railway.

The route was great to ride along with a well kept asphalt surface which made cycling easy, even if we were almost permanently on an 'up' gradient.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
The Plym Valley Way took us over several high viaducts affording great views.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
A series of telescopes had been kindly set up to allow passers by admire a pair of peregrine falcons nesting in a nearby quarry.
external link Peregrines at PlymBridge Wood.

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Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Old bridge.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Crossing another large stone bridge.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Before its closure in December 1962, the route to Yelverton must have made for a beautiful railway journey, passing through quiet forests and high viaducts.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Foxgloves on the wayside.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Crossing another high viaduct. To the right you can see the piers of the earlier, timber built bridge.

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Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
After passing Shaugh Bridge platform, the route goes through a tunnel, which was fun to ride through. Designed and constructed by the Great Western's legendary engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the curving tunnel was cut through solid rock.
Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Although there's some electric lights marking the route, it gets pretty dark and it felt odd cycling along in the dark.
Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Nearing the exit.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
Looking back at the northern entrance.

Cycling the Plym Valley Way, Plymouth to Yelverton, Devon, England, UK
As we neared Clearbrook, the track became considerably rougher, with our poor folding bikes getting a right hammering on the gravel.

We the had to push them up a mighty steep path to reach the minor road into the fabulously named village of Hoo Meavy.

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