15 August 2008 - Exe valley cycle ride from Starcross to Exeter docks.

A day out on our bikes starting at Starcross and following the Exe valley to the city picking up the Exe Valley Cycle Trail at Turf Lock.

On the footpath approaching Turf Lock which is the start point of the Exe Valley cycle trail.

Looking back down the footpath which had more bikers than walkers.

Turf Lock. This was once a very busy commercial lock.

The information board which shows how the canal runs in parallel with the river.

A closer look at the lock.

The channel from Turf Lock out into the Exe estuary.

The next stopping point was at the old Topsham Lock. Topsham is on the opposite side of the river.

Here you can see the canal on the left full of weed and the river on the right.

Details of Topsham Lock. From here we cycled on to Exeter Quayside. Follow this link for pictures of the Quayside.

Almost back at Starcross now. This shot shows how close the railway comes to the river and how important the wall is in preventing flooding of the track.

In Starcross there is still evidence of Brunel’s Atmospheric Railway. This building was once a pumping station for the railway. The atmospheric railway only lasted for one year before being converted to conventional steam power. For a bit more information about the railway follow this link.