Touring - Southwest England: Local knowledge required

This appeal is to English subscribers to this forum. I will be biking in the southwest of England this spring. I have a few concerns I need to have addressed.

First, I was planning on starting in Bodmin and going to Reading. I’ll be travelling west to east because of the predominant winds. Is this a good idea? I have been logging wind direction for about a year now and although there appears to be no real pattern, it seems the winds are stronger when out of the west.

I also am concerned that I will be in England during a school holiday. Currently I am tentatively leaving on April 15th and returning at the end of the month. When are the spring schools breaks?

I have already planned my route using OS maps and know where I would like to go but I am open to hearing about non-touristy side trips as well as good pubs serving real ale in good condition. I am especially partial to receiving links to the above.

I thank non posting well wishers in advance.

You can get the train to Penzance, and cycle around Cornwall, and back eastward. It is a fairly sound plan, if you want to end up in Reading, but there are so many railway stations, that you can end your journey whenever/wherever you want. I would suggest picking up the train at a smaller village stop. It saves you having to find your way into and around a strange town.
Winds are westerly prevailing, but can vary. Ive been in the SW is April, and it was warm and sunny, but it can equally be cold, wet or snowing.
You dont need to have a set route. I went with no particular plan, except to explore, and discovered the Lizard peninsular, Roskillys farm and ice-cream factory, and lots of deserted beaches in small bays.

Many years ago, as a student, I went to Penzance, rented a moutain bike, and biked around the Cornish coast. It was great. I recall hilly, winding roads that gently hugged the semi-rugged coastline. I biked to Land's End, which seemed like a long ride, but was probably only about 20 miles. Maybe not even that long. If you were not protected by trees, I do recall it being windy.

I stayed at this B&B in Penzance, which I see is still in business, albeit under different management.


http://www.whirlwind.demon.co.uk/conamore/index.htm

I am from Exeter in the South west, but have been in Asia for a while so my info is a bit old. No problems with the school holidays. English kids only hang out in city centres but only annoying on a Saturday:-)
April weather is very variable as the above poster said.
I cycled Exeter to Lands End, I don't remember the winds being a problem either way.
Sorry nothing else to say, bugger I have been away too long.

I was in Devon and Cornwall last year, camped and B&B. Didnt plan anything - just stopped where we felt like stopping. Camp facilities were very good, and always got a good dinner at the local pub. The best scenery is on the coast, but inland it is still pleasant. The rivers run N-S (or vice versa) so you will have plenty of steep valleys to cross. Enjoy yourself.

I love touring England by bike (and foot). Most of the narrowest country lanes are paved, and are a deight to ride. Occasionally, one has to dismount and push bike and body into hedges to let farm equipment get by.

The moors of SW England are full of ancient stone circles and stacks of stone. There are beautiful villages everywhere. Many of the most minor historical sights would be concidered national treasures if in the states. Then there are minor, off the beaten path pilgrimages, such as a well, blessed by angles and held dear in the middle ages.

The hard apple cider, just called "cider" in SW is very good, as it is in and around Oxford. Mild, is my favorite ale, and is avaliable around Oxford. Indispensible, is the CAMERA guide to pubs, searving the best real ale for the whole country. The CAMERA people are zelots, when it comes to real ale. The guide can be found in any book store when you are over there.

I could give details of places I've toured, if you wish, but I think the funnest part is discovering little gems, unexpectedly.

I love touring England by bike (and foot). Most of the narrowest country lanes are paved, and are a deight to ride. Occasionally, one has to dismount and push bike and body into hedges to let farm equipment get by.

The moors of SW England are full of ancient stone circles and stacks of stone. There are beautiful villages everywhere. Many of the most minor historical sights would be concidered national treasures if in the states. Then there are minor, off the beaten path pilgrimages, such as a well, blessed by angles and held dear in the middle ages.

<snip>

yes it's nice there. just don't forget to hit the aquaducts as well. they are usually paved w/i the citys but the paths outside the cities usually aren't too bad either. old roman waterways that go wherever the roads go. nice and flat too. (haven't hit up a lock yet though) it's just beautiful there and i can't wait to get back. looking forward to seeing australia too and itally. there are just so many places in the world to see and fall in love w/.

cheers
kat