NATIONAL Cycle Network Route 27 spans the breadth of Devon from Ilfracombe in the North to Plymouth in the south.

Covering 99 miles it connects three traffic free trails, the Tarka Trail, the Granite Way and Drakes Trail, resulting in 73 miles of traffic-free cycling.

Our attempt at the route this summer was a first for us in many ways. Our first attempt at cycle camping, oldest son’s first time carrying paniers, youngest child’s first attempt doing long days on his own bike, husband's first attempt towing a trailer.

What could go wrong? Extra kit was borrowed, campsites were booked, car park located, map purchased. Dummy run showed everything did fit into six paniers and a trailer. The weather forecast looked good, so with slight anxiety as the main protagonist in the whole escapade, we were off.

It took a while to get into our stride. On day one we didn’t have enough food, got split up and then lost, got slightly frazzled contending with bank holiday traffic, and then had to cycle uphill for 40 minutes to find the campsite.

At the last corner before we eventually found the campsite I was faced by four sweaty, hungry and slightly mutinous faces.

That said, we soon developed a rhythm, striking camp early, investing in large quantities of fruit pastilles, and spending a large proportion of the money we saved by not staying in B&Bs in cafes.

On Route 27 you encounter economies both past and present. Low key but informative museums at Fremington Quay and Bideford Station evoke an old industrial landscape where train and ship transported raw materials into Devon and finished products away.

The traffic-free paths snake across the landscape following old railway lines; some flat alongside the estuaries of the Taw and Torridge rivers, others contouring the hills of Dartmoor. The viaducts and tunnels of the Victorian railway engineers never cease to amaze.

Traffic-free paths, a rich history and stunning scenery have created a new economy. Bike hire enables people to try out bikes away from traffic without the stress of trying to bring their own. I hope that a few of the people, wobbling and laughing along the paths, were at the beginning of their personal cycling journey.

The trail also boasts an array of excellent cafes keeping visitors well fuelled. Every time our spirits dropped, willpower diminished, and tempers started to fray, we stumbled across an amazing establishment serving up huge and hearty portions – which disappeared at great speed.

Four days after our nervous departure we steamed into Plymouth amidst torrential downpours. The panniers had been carried, bikes piloted alone, trailer towed, and campsites found.

Apart from the first day the signage was excellent, and the route surpassed our expectations for scenery, variety and sheer fun.

The traffic-free sections of the National Cycling Network provide space for people to get on to bikes and have fun away from concerns about traffic and safety.

I know that our holiday experiences have fed into our, and our children’s, confidence and enthusiasm for using our bikes for everyday transport.