South West and South Wales

South West and South Wales 

We’ve picked our favourite biking routes for the South West and South Wales. Check them out now…

Newquay > Wadebridge > Bude > Holsworthy > Launceston > Liskeard > Bodmin > Wadebridge > Newquay (A392/A39/A3072/A388/B3254/A38/A389/A39/A392)

Total distance: 135 miles (approx)
Time taken: Four or more hours

Escape from the droves of sun-seeking tourists and ride inland a few miles before heading up the A39 to the slightly less hectic Bude, with its impeccably clean beaches, historic harbour and dramatic coastline. The A39 is a fun, fast road to ride but be careful as the only drawback is a combination of blind bends and slow tractors — so make sure your overtakes are well planned. Once in Bude, either take time to enjoy a cream tea and a pasty on the seafront or head straight off towards the A388 and the drop back into Bodmin Moor.

The roads here aren’t quite so fast, and there’s plenty of scope for animal/motorcycle interaction too. What this part of the trip needs is a different mindset. It’s not all about riding flat-out, and this ride through Launceston, Liskeard and Bodmin should have you well chilled out and ready to enjoy a good night out in Newquay. After you’ve impressed the surfers with your machine, of course…

Quick instructions

• Ride inland from Newquay and look for signs for Bude and the A39
• From Bude, take the A3072 signed for Holsworthy
• Past Holsworthy, get on the A388 signed for Launceston
• Go across the A30 and pick up the B3254 to Liskeard
• Then follow signs for Bodmin before getting on the A389
• Enjoy the bends on the last stretch down the A39 and back to Newquay

Check out the route on our map…

Bridport > Weymouth > Dorchester > Bridport (B3157/A354/A35)

Total distance: 55 miles (approx)
Time taken: A great way to spend an hour or two

Quick instruction 

• Head to the beach from Bridport, then follow signs to Abbotsbury
• Jump on the A354 signed for Weymouth
• Head north following the signs for Dorchester
• Take the A35 back to Bridport — a great finish to the ride

 Check out the route on our map 

Poole > Warminster > Salisbury > Ringwood > Bournemouth > Poole (A350/A36/A338)

Total distance: 100 miles (approx)
Time taken: It’ll cost you tree hours and quite possibly a pair of kneeslides!

Quick instructions

• Leave Poole on the A350 heading north
• Stay on the A350 all the way to Warminster
• Shortly before Warminster, turn right onto the A36
• After several roundabouts, find the A338 for Ringwood
• Follow the A338 all the way through Bournemouth and back to Poole

 Take a look at this route now… 

Aberystwyth > Llangurig > Rhayader  > Builth Wells > Brecon > Llandovery > Lampeter > Aberystwyth (A44/A470/A40/A482/A487)

Total distance: 150 miles (approx)
Time taken: Allow at least four hours

Quick instructions 

• Head inland from Aberystwyth to Llangurig on the A44
• From Llangurig, take the A470 towards Brecon
• From Brecon get on the A40 signed for Carmarthen
• When you get to Llandovery, turn right onto the A482
• At the coast road, turn right and follow the A487 back to Aberystwyth

Minehead > Lynmouth and Linton > South Molton > Minehead  (A39/A399/A361/B3227/A396)

Total distance: 80 miles (approx)
Time taken: Three hours or more to explore

Quick instructions 

• Follow the A39 coast road west from Minehead
• When you see signs for Tiverton follow them…
• …A399 then the A361, keep your eyes peeled for the B3227 — it’s easy to miss
• Take a left onto the A396 back to Minehead

 Check out the route on our map… 

Swindon > Devizes > Melksham > Calne > Swindon (A4361/A365/A350/A3102)

Total distance: 55 miles (approx)
Time taken: Just over an hour

Quick instructions 

• Take the A4361 from Swindon to Devizes
• At Devizes, take a left onto the A365
• When you get to Melksham look for signs to Calne via the A3102
• Stay on the A3102 all the way back to Swindon

Take a look at the route now…

St Ives > Redruth > Helston > Penzance > St Just > St Ives (A3074/A30/A3047/A393/A39/A394/A30/A3071/B3306)

Total distances: 70 miles (approx)
Time taken: Two hours, three for a cruise

Quick instructions 

• Leave St Ives on the A3074
• Turn right onto the A30 towards Redruth
• Get onto the A3047, the A393 and then the A39 to Falmouth
• Pick up signs for Helston and follow the A394 to Penzance
• Take the A3071 to St Just
• Turn right and follow the B3306 back to St Ives

Check out some great routes in North West and North Wales…

Tried and tested one of these routes? Leave your comments below.