Between 2004 and 2009 I made numerous business trips from Canada to the UK. On one of those trips I found myself in Barnstaple with a day off so I rented a bicycle and went for a ride on the Tarka Trail. It was the best day I had in the UK and I’ve always wished I could have seen more of the UK by bike. It was so cool seeing you cycle that trail and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Really enjoy your channel, keep up the good work.
I'm glad I could stir up some nostalgia for you! It is a lovely trail and quite a rarity in England to find such a length traffic free. Hope you enjoy the next stretch as well. Thanks for watching :)
You are very kind. If I encourage anyone toward any kind of adventure then I'm very happy. Couldn't ask for a better outcome to a UA-cam career than that. (Except maybe vast rivers of filthy, influencer lucre)
Really we can't camp anywhere. The only place in England that actually allows wild camping is Dartmoor and even that is being challenged at the moment. So technically I'm breaking some kind of law every time I pitch but I'm always quiet, tidy, leave no trace and if anyone were to challenge me I'd move on without a fuss. I've never had an issue yet.
We did the Tarka Trail about 30 years ago and hired a kids buggy for the back of the bike, the buggy didn’t fit through the gates!!! We had to lift it over every gate, good memories 🤣 thanks for another inspiring video 👍
It would work now, no gates left to speak of. My big old beast with its wide bars gets stuck even in bike friendly gates but I navigated this one with ease. Time to get back and revisit the Tarka maybe? :)
I was tempted to try the whole theme song but I'm not sure I could remember it all. Plus it would probably make me cry. I always found that show quite sad.
I should really do the same. I've had many a bug in the eye with varying degrees of severity but this was next level in terms of pain. Always wear eye protection kids!
The challenging part is Ilfracombe to braunton, then its pretty flat apart from near okehampton. Its a good intro to multi day cycling though. I enjoyed it.
I skipped that bit and it was flat all the way 😉 Definitely a good intro route. I've not ridden anything easier other than in the Netherlands and perhaps Denmark
I often wonder when I see 'trail art' who makes/commissions them? In my utopian world they'd be made by the locals to welcome weary travelers ;-) Route looks very chilled.... off to check out the next in the series 🚴
It was a very chilled route. About as many ch so as they come I'd say. I love trail art. It doesn't even have to be anything super impressive, just unexpected and eye catching. I assume they are usually commissioned from local artists or groups but I don't know really. I also regularly fantasise about the route network I'd implement if I were king of the world - complete with trail art at least every few kilometres!
@@JethroJessop That's in Norway isn't it hehe complete with little wooden sleep shelters dotted around..... or am I thinking Sweden? I'm just doing day rides at the mo, my other time is being spent saving for a big tour coming up!! I have to get out on an overnighter soon just to see if my head torch still works!
@@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures more Denmark and Sweden I'd say but Norway is amazing to cycle as well Where is this big tour you are planning going to take you?
Sorry to hear about the eye, hopefully a full and permanent recovery. I did the Devon C2C with my then 11 year old son. Ten years on he’s far too busy with life to ride his bike. I hope and suspect that adventure will have instilled a love of the freedom of bike touring deep into his subconscious ready to emerge when all the distractions of being in his twenties start to subside…
Definitely. I stopped cycling around that age too but when it found me again I was straight back in, more than ever. Just give it time 😉 The eye is pretty much all better now. Still a little scratchy in the morning but nothing to complain about
I'm relieved your eye has healed and admire your bravery. The Tarka trail I'm grateful for I didn't know it was there and was literally paralell to that area last July with 21 days of rain bikepacking with a gruelling 30kg of luggage blissfully unaware that this area is non stop hills up and down..pushing the bike for 20 paces before tricep cramps and short for breath or else terrorfied of steep descents and being able to stop with mechanical brakes (two sets in 21 days) that this trail is a definate relief to know exists in an otherwise ultra testing terrain more austere than Scotland. Thank you again and as far as I recall isn't Tarka a Hunnic unique cavalry unit?! Tarka on Sire!
It is definitely very up and down in that part of the world. These old railway lines are always welcome cruises if you can find them, canal paths as well where possible. You may be right, but in this case I believe the name is taken from a fictional otter who went on a journey in the area in a book. Its one of those famous pieces of literature that I haven't read. It also gives rise to my favourite curry joke... Have you ever eaten Chicken Tarka? It's a lot like Chicken Tikka but a bit 'otter!
Glad to hear you eye is on the mend. I wear prescription glasses but not a bad shout to wear cycling glasses maybe which would protect the eyes more when cycling/eating.
Yeah, my main issue with cycling glasses (shallow as it sounds) is that they all seem to look utterly ridiculous. Like something a cheap super hero would wear 😉 I have my Ombraz sunnies that I love but they are too dark for a lot of UK rides.
I’d like to ride the Devon coast to coast; Ilfracome to Plymouth which takes in the Tarka trail. Maybe you’ll do it before I do and get to see the route on video! 👍
This one covered the Tarka trail, pretty much end to end. The next one will see the Pegasus Trail then EV1 round the foot of Dartmoor, the last episode will be the rest of the ride to Plymouth on a Mish mash of routes. Other than the Ilfracombe to Braunton leg that will be most of it. It's a great ride. Really good trails, really nice countryside and all pretty easy.
It is made by Tilly. It is fantastic! There is an affiliate link in the description if you are interested. Gives me a little commission if you buy anything 😉 I highly recommend them. Really comfy, weather proof, can be stuffed wet into a bag and will hold its shape, basically indestructible. I had my first one for over 10 years and I'd still have it now if I hadn't lost it on the Badger Divide ☹️ They really will last a lifetime!
@@JethroJessop Thank you. I missed the link. I've had a Tilly for years, but I've only ever seen them in white. They are great for boating, although I find them too hot for summer wear.
@@jimmccorison they have quite a range now it seems. I'll consider myself a success in life when I have a row of mannequin heads in my dressing room displaying my extensive collection of Tilly hats 😉
I'm glad your eye is healing, of course that can be attributed to Chocolate covered Caramel bars which are renowned for their healing powers. 😉 😉...Oooh! sorry.
Nope, I'm back out to Sweden on Tues. I can only be there for around a month at a time because Brexit. Until i can wangle a residency permit which is an ongoing process as we speak.
I sleep better when I feel like I'm less likely to be stumbled upon by other people so I try to camp in the remotest spot I can. Not always easy in England but I'll happily pick my way into the undergrowth rather than camp in easy sight of a trail.
@@bigpimpinbig1 it depends where you are as well. In the UK you are not allowed to wild camp and while in practice I've never had any problems, even when I have been spotted, I just sleep better when I feel hidden. In places where wild camping is allowed like Scotland and Sweden I don't feel the need to hide so much but I still try to find a secluded spot if I can. Where will you be heading out to on your trip?
@@JethroJessop Yeah I agree, in Germany and Belgium/Netherlands we're in the same situation unfortunately. As long as you're solo, and leave no trace and be mindful of sensitive area's I think it's fine. The law is probably good to keep the party people out of nature though!
@@bigpimpinbig1 That's my view too. I see enough litter and the remains of daft camp fires that I can understand why wild camping isn't encouraged sadly. I've never been moved on or had any trouble and the few times I have been spotted people have just been interested in my journey.
Between 2004 and 2009 I made numerous business trips from Canada to the UK. On one of those trips I found myself in Barnstaple with a day off so I rented a bicycle and went for a ride on the Tarka Trail. It was the best day I had in the UK and I’ve always wished I could have seen more of the UK by bike. It was so cool seeing you cycle that trail and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Really enjoy your channel, keep up the good work.
I'm glad I could stir up some nostalgia for you!
It is a lovely trail and quite a rarity in England to find such a length traffic free.
Hope you enjoy the next stretch as well. Thanks for watching :)
i'm not an adventurer - i'm just following a line on a map ! Mwaahaaha.😄 man you so inspire us all . keep rollin' dude
You are very kind.
If I encourage anyone toward any kind of adventure then I'm very happy. Couldn't ask for a better outcome to a UA-cam career than that.
(Except maybe vast rivers of filthy, influencer lucre)
That’s so cool you guys can just camp wherever. Great watch there Jethro! Love your closing metaphors!😊👍🏼
Really we can't camp anywhere. The only place in England that actually allows wild camping is Dartmoor and even that is being challenged at the moment.
So technically I'm breaking some kind of law every time I pitch but I'm always quiet, tidy, leave no trace and if anyone were to challenge me I'd move on without a fuss. I've never had an issue yet.
@@JethroJessop and lets be honest… what a pleasure to have Jethro camping in my backyard!😊👍🏼
@@notquiteultralight1701 twas a pleasure to camp there!
Always a great watch! I think 'swoopy swoopy friendly cruisy cruisy' needs to be a setting on the Komoot planner! 🙂 Happy cycling!
I reckon it would be a popular one.
There isn't a lot of it in this country but if you can find it it's gold!
We did the Tarka Trail about 30 years ago and hired a kids buggy for the back of the bike, the buggy didn’t fit through the gates!!! We had to lift it over every gate, good memories 🤣 thanks for another inspiring video 👍
It would work now, no gates left to speak of. My big old beast with its wide bars gets stuck even in bike friendly gates but I navigated this one with ease.
Time to get back and revisit the Tarka maybe? :)
Love the 'Littlest Hobo' reference, I doth my cap to you sir!!
I was tempted to try the whole theme song but I'm not sure I could remember it all.
Plus it would probably make me cry. I always found that show quite sad.
Great footage and editing Jethro, and after Lassie finally didn't come home, my go-to dog of adventure was the Littlest Hobo
Fond memories, cheers 🚲🙂👍
I'm glad I could mine the nostalgia vein a little there 😉
Also glad you liked the video, thanks for watching!
@@JethroJessop
Oh yes, fond memories of childhood escapades were awoken 😃
It's always a pleasure watching your videos 👍
@@tonypaddler you are too kind 😃
@@JethroJessop
I'm simply typing what 7.95k people are thinking 👍
@@tonypaddler it will be exciting to watch it roll over for sure.
10k is the real milestone though! Will have to do something special for that one
I hope your eye recovers quickly , I always wear photochromic glasses after nearly being blinded by a fly .
I should really do the same. I've had many a bug in the eye with varying degrees of severity but this was next level in terms of pain.
Always wear eye protection kids!
Another great watch Jethro thanks for bringing us along👍
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming 😃
Keep an eye on that eye - a tip from the one-eyed swede! Nice soundtrack suits the bicycle rhythm fine.
Fortunately it recovered pretty fast!
Thought I'd go a bit more upbeat than usual on this one.
Beautiful road!
Very. I recommend this ride if you are ever in the area
Stories like that make me glad I wear glasses! I hope all is well now.
Yeah, I regret my lack of eye protection but fortunately I'm 99% back to health now. It healed up super quick
The challenging part is Ilfracombe to braunton, then its pretty flat apart from near okehampton. Its a good intro to multi day cycling though. I enjoyed it.
I skipped that bit and it was flat all the way 😉
Definitely a good intro route. I've not ridden anything easier other than in the Netherlands and perhaps Denmark
Glad the eye mended so quickly. See you on Tuesday 🙃
Looking forward to it 😃
Great ride! Good to see the Chief too! ⛰️☀️ 🚲
You'll see him again if you come to Scotland 😉
I often wonder when I see 'trail art' who makes/commissions them? In my utopian world they'd be made by the locals to welcome weary travelers ;-) Route looks very chilled.... off to check out the next in the series 🚴
It was a very chilled route. About as many ch so as they come I'd say.
I love trail art. It doesn't even have to be anything super impressive, just unexpected and eye catching.
I assume they are usually commissioned from local artists or groups but I don't know really.
I also regularly fantasise about the route network I'd implement if I were king of the world - complete with trail art at least every few kilometres!
@@JethroJessop That's in Norway isn't it hehe complete with little wooden sleep shelters dotted around..... or am I thinking Sweden? I'm just doing day rides at the mo, my other time is being spent saving for a big tour coming up!! I have to get out on an overnighter soon just to see if my head torch still works!
@@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures more Denmark and Sweden I'd say but Norway is amazing to cycle as well
Where is this big tour you are planning going to take you?
Poor Jethro! Don't stare at grass with remaining eye.
If I can't stare at grass then what's the point of... anything!?
@@JethroJessop Fair. But don't get too close!
@@Frostbiker I learned my lesson. Full eye protection, steel toed boots and a Kevlar stab vest or I don't go within 10 meters of the stuff!
Sorry to hear about the eye, hopefully a full and permanent recovery.
I did the Devon C2C with my then 11 year old son. Ten years on he’s far too busy with life to ride his bike. I hope and suspect that adventure will have instilled a love of the freedom of bike touring deep into his subconscious ready to emerge when all the distractions of being in his twenties start to subside…
Definitely. I stopped cycling around that age too but when it found me again I was straight back in, more than ever.
Just give it time 😉
The eye is pretty much all better now. Still a little scratchy in the morning but nothing to complain about
Glad the eye is ok ! That is one hell of a long garden !
Thank you, me too! Thought I was gonna have to go full pirate for a moment.
Yeah, it's a big garden but it does appear longer on video somehow?
I'm relieved your eye has healed and admire your bravery. The Tarka trail I'm grateful for I didn't know it was there and was literally paralell to that area last July with 21 days of rain bikepacking with a gruelling 30kg of luggage blissfully unaware that this area is non stop hills up and down..pushing the bike for 20 paces before tricep cramps and short for breath or else terrorfied of steep descents and being able to stop with mechanical brakes (two sets in 21 days) that this trail is a definate relief to know exists in an otherwise ultra testing terrain more austere than Scotland. Thank you again and as far as I recall isn't Tarka a
Hunnic unique cavalry unit?!
Tarka on Sire!
It is definitely very up and down in that part of the world. These old railway lines are always welcome cruises if you can find them, canal paths as well where possible.
You may be right, but in this case I believe the name is taken from a fictional otter who went on a journey in the area in a book. Its one of those famous pieces of literature that I haven't read.
It also gives rise to my favourite curry joke...
Have you ever eaten Chicken Tarka? It's a lot like Chicken Tikka but a bit 'otter!
@@JethroJessop Haha Brilliant!
Glad to hear you eye is on the mend. I wear prescription glasses but not a bad shout to wear cycling glasses maybe which would protect the eyes more when cycling/eating.
Yeah, my main issue with cycling glasses (shallow as it sounds) is that they all seem to look utterly ridiculous. Like something a cheap super hero would wear 😉
I have my Ombraz sunnies that I love but they are too dark for a lot of UK rides.
Thanks!
Amazing, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I really appreciate the support!
I’d like to ride the Devon coast to coast; Ilfracome to Plymouth which takes in the Tarka trail. Maybe you’ll do it before I do and get to see the route on video! 👍
This one covered the Tarka trail, pretty much end to end. The next one will see the Pegasus Trail then EV1 round the foot of Dartmoor, the last episode will be the rest of the ride to Plymouth on a Mish mash of routes.
Other than the Ilfracombe to Braunton leg that will be most of it.
It's a great ride. Really good trails, really nice countryside and all pretty easy.
@@JethroJessop thanks, that’s good to know!
Brings back memories of doing the C2C last summer over 3 days. I really enjoyed it, great pubs to refuel in and terrific wild camping.
It’s definitely on my list. Sounds like a great 2 or 3 day ride! 👍
Jethro, another great video. Thank you. What is that hat you're wearing? I presume it's crushable, but looks pretty good campside.
It is made by Tilly. It is fantastic!
There is an affiliate link in the description if you are interested. Gives me a little commission if you buy anything 😉
I highly recommend them. Really comfy, weather proof, can be stuffed wet into a bag and will hold its shape, basically indestructible.
I had my first one for over 10 years and I'd still have it now if I hadn't lost it on the Badger Divide ☹️
They really will last a lifetime!
@@JethroJessop Thank you. I missed the link. I've had a Tilly for years, but I've only ever seen them in white. They are great for boating, although I find them too hot for summer wear.
@@jimmccorison they have quite a range now it seems.
I'll consider myself a success in life when I have a row of mannequin heads in my dressing room displaying my extensive collection of Tilly hats 😉
I'm glad your eye is healing, of course that can be attributed to Chocolate covered Caramel bars which are renowned for their healing powers. 😉 😉...Oooh! sorry.
They are the secret to my highlander style immortality!
Without Tunnocks I'd be nothing but a faint memory ;)
Settled down once, but never again. I just want to ride my bike and be free lol
I kind want to do both. Not sure exactly how that is going to work out but I'm sure it will be fine ;)
Have you and Louise gone your separate ways?
Nope, I'm back out to Sweden on Tues.
I can only be there for around a month at a time because Brexit.
Until i can wangle a residency permit which is an ongoing process as we speak.
Cool video! Do you go deep off the trails into the woods with the bike for wild camping?
I sleep better when I feel like I'm less likely to be stumbled upon by other people so I try to camp in the remotest spot I can. Not always easy in England but I'll happily pick my way into the undergrowth rather than camp in easy sight of a trail.
@@JethroJessop Agreed, first time I am going to wild camp with the bike next week (usually on foot) and I think I'll do the same :)
@@bigpimpinbig1 it depends where you are as well.
In the UK you are not allowed to wild camp and while in practice I've never had any problems, even when I have been spotted, I just sleep better when I feel hidden.
In places where wild camping is allowed like Scotland and Sweden I don't feel the need to hide so much but I still try to find a secluded spot if I can.
Where will you be heading out to on your trip?
@@JethroJessop Yeah I agree, in Germany and Belgium/Netherlands we're in the same situation unfortunately. As long as you're solo, and leave no trace and be mindful of sensitive area's I think it's fine. The law is probably good to keep the party people out of nature though!
@@bigpimpinbig1 That's my view too. I see enough litter and the remains of daft camp fires that I can understand why wild camping isn't encouraged sadly.
I've never been moved on or had any trouble and the few times I have been spotted people have just been interested in my journey.
like and subscribe people x
Indeed!
Spread the message 😉
Harrison ford, what have you done with Jethro?.….shit about your eye mate.
Yeah, that was painful. Goggles at all times from now on!
@@JethroJessop what was it that got you?
@@RuggedJohnWoodland That spiky grass that grows in the wet bits on the rough ground, the one with the tubular leaves
Bastard grass !
@@RuggedJohnWoodland Grassilius Bastardum in latin