I am planning a day's cycling in 2 weeks on the IOW. Ferry over to Ryde for a day trip. Can anyone comment please on the plan:
Ryde - Cowes on circular road route (part of round the island route anticlockwise)
Cowes - Newport on cycle track along river (on a Brompton & roadie bike, is it tarmac?)
Newport - Seaview on quiet roads - back to Ryde.
Beach cafe in Gurnard - is it still good? looks a bit pricey at 8 quid a breakfast but I don't live in UK so thats probably the going rate.
Pub in Wootton Bridge , I think its called the Sloop, is it good? I went ages ago so may have changed.
Any comments welcome or decent places to eat for a veggie & canivore, or decent routes c 30 miles from & back to Ryde.
Many thanks in advance
All OK (and Newport-Cowes path is tarmac), but all the scenic bits (and hills) are on the South of the Island.
Probably a bit beyond reach in 30 miles.
Pub at Wootton Bridge is fine IIRC, does decent cider 🙂
Thanks 40mpg, glad to hear the path is tarmac in case of rain.
Is there a sailing club near Wootton Bridge with a clubhouse doing decent food? I just read about the reviews of Sloop!
Seaview, Bembridge, Sandown would be more scenic
Folly Inn is pretty reliable pub food (and popular with sailors visiting the Island) [url= http://www.folly-inn-east-cowes.co.uk/ ]link[/url]
There are a few reasonable Bistro places on Cowes High Street
I assume you know you can get across the Medina river via chain ferry in Cowes.
You can get a "flavour" of the sea/Solent from Cowes Green, Gurnard's quite pretty and worth a look but not sure I'd make that the stop-over/destination.
To throw another idea into the mix is to consider the Ferry to Cowes (from Southampton) or Yarmouth from Lymington and do a loop to take in Yarmouth for something to eat and/or a quick visit to South side of Island eg Freshwater Bay
From Newport, the old railway line goes all the way east to Sandown - very pretty, no cars!
The Garlic Farm Cafe is a better option for lunch; great food, stunning farm, superb shop - highly recommended.
The Boathouse (Springvale) or The Old Fort (Seaview) are also way better than The Sloop.
Enjoy your pootle - it's a wonderful place.
MIP if you want any further info. 🙂
thanks Barn & Jambalaya, top advice.
We will now do Ryde - Cowes - Newport - Sandown - Bembridge - Seaview - Ryde.
Lunch at Garlic farm, use bike tracks Cowes - Newport & Newport - Sandown.
Is the fish and chip shop on Ryde espanade opposite the pier still good?
Thanks in advance, much appreciated