Cheddar Valley Railway Path near Conglesbury.

[Banjo]

Plotting a DIY route google on walking is taking me down the Cheddar Valley Railway Path for several kilometers near Conglesbury.

Does anyone know if Cycling is allowed on it and if its suitable for narrow tyre roads bikes?

[BlackSheep]

Does anyone know if Cycling is allowed on it and if its suitable for narrow tyre roads bikes?

Whilst sat in front of your PC monitor it may be worth:-

1). seeing if the 'Walking man' on 'Google Maps' can give you a clue.
2). Whilst in 'Google maps', see if the OSM option can give you a clue, i.e. has it also been adopted by NCR/Sustrans

[Reg.T]

I haven't ridden it myself, but have seen it used on other routes (not Audax). It's part of the Strawberry Line and NCN26, so should be OK.

[Edit: I think it was recommended to me as part of a return route from the Exmouth Exodus last year. Didn't try it due to a mechanical near Exmouth.]

See Sustrans PDF leaflet: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/leaflets/Strawberry%20Line%20leaflet.pdf


Reg

[Meegat]

Is that the 'Strawberry Line'?  Strawberry Line permits cycling, but the path is not tarmac.
 http://www.thestrawberryline.co.uk/index.php?doc=147&rev=147
http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EA892C65-C881-4A81-91FD-25FD30171670/0/document_200811_TheStrawberryLine.pdf

I rode the Strawberry Line from Cheddar to Yatton during the summer* and the surface was mostly packed dirt or that thin sustransy gravel stuff.  I imagine it can get muddy at times in the narrow parts. Someone's pics from August give an idea of the range of surfaces: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7493003@N03/sets/72157627502374092/with/6073580301/ 

* on 700x28s not really skinny tyres.

Plenty of decent country lanes round that area, so you shouldn't be stuck for routes if the path is impractical.

[ETA: nearby place is Congresbury btw...though Conglesbury sounds better!  ]

[Banjo]

Is that the 'Strawberry Line'?  Strawberry Line permits cycling, but the path is not tarmac.
 http://www.thestrawberryline.co.uk/index.php?doc=147&rev=147
http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EA892C65-C881-4A81-91FD-25FD30171670/0/document_200811_TheStrawberryLine.pdf

I rode the Strawberry Line from Cheddar to Yatton during the summer* and the surface was mostly packed dirt or that thin sustransy gravel stuff.  I imagine it can get muddy at times in the narrow parts. Someone's pics from August give an idea of the range of surfaces: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7493003@N03/sets/72157627502374092/with/6073580301/ 

* on 700x28s not really skinny tyres.

Plenty of decent country lanes round that area, so you shouldn't be stuck for routes if the path is impractical.

[ETA: nearby place is Congresbury btw...though Conglesbury sounds better!  ]

Many thanks for that, you cant beat first hand info. Sounds like I wont be using it this time especially in winter on 23c tyres.

[Feline]

I think you might mean Congresbury. It is indeed very cyclable although it has that compacted grit surface not tarmac. I regularly ride it in 25cc tyres. You need lights for the Winscombe railway tunnel. I rode it yesterday and this is my route (I avoided the Congresbury-Yatton section because it was a bit muddy when I rode that bit last week and I wanted head Bristol-wards after Congresbury anyway): http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140161598

[Tewdric]

You need lights for the Winscombe railway tunnel.

She's not kidding!

[Cudzoziemiec]

Yes! The first time I went through it I was unprepared and hadn't brought lights. I ended up walking. You can see light at the other end but it is pitch black in there.

[Glover Fan]

I rode it on 23's during the Tasty Cheddar audax last October, was OK, but it was unreasonably warm (I believe about 28 degrees!) I would prefer to go over one of the Mendips instead, but then I do like an ascent or two!