Bideford – Barnstaple
A hilly 45 km road cycling loop from Littleham, England through Bideford, Northam and Appledore, with 520 m of climbing. There is a 28 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 13–41).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 44.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 520 m
- Riding time
- 2½–3½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 28 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Littleham
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 520 m
- 45 km
Route description
- Littleham
- Bideford
- Northam
- Appledore
- Yelland
- St John's Chapel
- Tawstock
- Ensis
- Huntshaw
- Littleham
Starting near Littleham, the route passes quickly through Bideford at 2.9 km and heads through East The Water, Northam, and Westleigh before reaching Appledore at 7.8 km. It then continues via Instow, Yelland, Fremington, and Penhill, where the first notable climb begins at 12.9 km. This climb gains 91 m over 2.2 km at an average gradient of 4.1%, peaking at 104 m.
Further climbing follows between 20.3 km and 40.7 km with five additional climbs ranging from 48 m to 111 m elevation gain over distances between 1.7 km and 2.8 km. The steepest gradient recorded is 9.9% on one climb starting at 24.9 km. The route includes 31.4 km of minor roads, 7.1 km on main roads (7.4 km without cycle lane), 2.6 km cycle paths and 2.2 km quiet streets. The longest named roads are B3233 for 6.5 km and Gammaton Road for 5.3 km.
No gravel sections are present, with 99% paved surfaces. Food and drink stops include cafés at 2.8 km and 7.7 km, a pub at 12.9 km, and a restaurant at 40.6 km. Shops and toilets are available near the start and at 7.9 km and 12.6 km. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 27.6 km from 12.9 to 40.5 km. A bike shop is close at 2.9 km and another at 41.1 km. A ferry bailout option is near 7.8 km.
Highlights
- Climbs up to 111 m gain and 9.9% max gradient
- Routes along B3233 and Gammaton Road
- Longest descent 3.7 km dropping 126 m
- Loop passes through Bideford and Appledore
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 12.9 km | 2.2 km · 91 m · 4.1 % · max 6.8 % | 104 m |
| Unnamed climb | 20.3 km | 2 km · 71 m · 3.6 % · max 6.3 % | 107 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.9 km | 2.8 km · 111 m · 4 % · max 9.9 % | 148 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.4 km | 1.7 km · 48 m · 2.8 % · max 4 % | 183 m |
| Unnamed climb | 34.4 km | 2.3 km · 50 m · 2.2 % · max 4.1 % | 138 m |
| Unnamed climb | 40.7 km | 2.2 km · 79 m · 3.6 % · max 6.2 % | 85 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 7.4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 71% minor road · 16% main road · 6% cycle path · 5% quiet street · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 7.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Cycle paths
- 2.6 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B3233 (7 km), Gammaton Road (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 30% descending · 41% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.8 km over 5% · 0.7 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.4% at 26.5 km
- Longest descent
- 3.7 km from 37.5 km, dropping 126 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 28 km, from km 13 to 41. Along the route: 51 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops, 1 petrol station, 3 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.4 kmBP · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 2.8 kmPannier Galley Cafe · café · on the route
- 2.8 kmToilets · on the route
- 2.9 kmCycles Scuderia · bike shop · 410 m off route
- 3 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 170 m off route
- 3.5 kmJHOOTS Pharmacy · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 7.7 kmJohns of Instow · café · 50 m off route
- 7.9 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 12.6 kmCostcutter · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 12.6 kmBoots · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 12.9 kmThe New Inn · pub · on the route
- 40.6 kmThe Riverside · restaurant · on the route
- 41.1 kmBideford Bicycle and Kayak Hire · bike shop · 210 m off route
- 43.6 kmAsda · pharmacy · 540 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 7.8 km — Ferry, 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 40.3 km — Chudleigh Fort (ruins)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 27.6 km (12.9-40.5 km)
- 7.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- Max sustained gradient 9.9% over 2.8 km