Cycling in Cornwall

[Saluki]

Thanks. The in laws mentioned the camel trail. Is it suitable for a road bike or is it gravel in places?

I've taken my roadie from Wadebridge to Wenfordbridge and back, via Bodmin to grab a pint of milk. I've taken it up to Padstow too. The surface is loose in some places, but not excessivly so but perfectly fine to ride a roadie on, many do, including us. Sometimes we take the CXs, depending on how we feel. The only bit that will rattle the fillings out of your teeth is the joining track, just before Bodmin where you go down the hill (if going to Wenfordbridge), or back up it the other way. Strava segment on both directions

17 miles from end to end if you don't go off it for exploring purposes.

 

[livpoksoc]

So in summary...camel trail is ok for a roady? (More worried about punctures than anything else).

Is it easy to get to from Newquay? If it is then I can do a there and back just to get the miles.

 

[Saluki]

@Saluki
"Grockles"?
'Tis "Emmets" moi luvva!

I'm a 'NiN' and they are bloody Grockles! they tow Grockle-boxes behind their 4x4s. I know that they are Emmets down here, but I've been calling them Grockles since childhood and it's a hard habit to break.

 

[Saluki]

So in summary...camel trail is ok for a roady? (More worried about punctures than anything else).

Is it easy to get to from Newquay? If it is then I can do a there and back just to get the miles.

If coming from Newquay, you could ride across to Victoria and then follow the road from Roche and to Nanstallon. From there you can get on the trail. Go right towards Pooley Bridge or left to Padstow.
If going from Padstow to Newquay, you'll see a sign at St Eval saying 'Newquay' to the right, or 'Newquay via Airport' to the left. If you really really really like climbing (getting out of Mawgan Porth is a chuffing nightmare!) go right. If you want to avoid the bloody tourists, go left. That coast road is busy and really lumpy.

You'll be fine on a roadie. Take a repair kit! Just in case like. I have had numerous Ps on the trail, on the CX, but not on the roadie. Give some thought to letting a wee bit of air out on the trail. I tend to ride on the trail at about 85psi, not 110psi, as I quite like keeping my teeth in my head on the lumpy bits.
Newquay to Padstow is along the A39. Not sure about parking though, never parked there.

 

[marzjennings]

I know that road well as a driver, I would not go anywhere near it on a bike. Narrow, stone walls both sides, blind bends, drivers who do not know how to drive those roads. I like to enjoy my cycling!

Yea, but that's true for almost every small road in Cornwall, comes with the territory. There's always some uninsured redneck* twonk living out his F1 dreams in a beat up van using the small roads as a short cut. The trick is to keep your ears open and hug the hedge/wall when you hear them coming (well that's how it worked for me many years ago).

Most of my training in Cornwall used to be on A roads where there's more room and less cow sh!t.

redneck*, after moving to Texas and seeing rednecks in their native habitat I released I come from the redneck capital of the uk.

 

[Ajax Bay]

the camel trail. Is it suitable for a road bike or is it gravel in places?

From Padstow down to just N of Bodmin and then up the River Camel valley NE to Wenfordbridge, it is entirely suitable for a road bike with a smooth gravel surface 90% and slightly less smooth the rest. I cycled the whole length (and then up onto Bodmin Moor) on slick 28s last month (at the end of 150km). It was dry but would have been OK in wet. First two sections (Padstow to the 'junction' N of Bodmin) are the best surface.
For a simple route out from Newquay: B3276 to Padstow (NB holiday traffic at w/e), Camel Trail to Bodmin, old A30 (which parallels new A30) WSW to Mitchell (which is SSE of Newquay), and finish with some hills via St Newlyn East. If you don't want to tangle with the beach lovers' cars, take the B3276 to Tregurrian and then head through St Mawgan village (cheeky climb out) heading NE to the B3274 taking you N to Padstow. Can also short cut the route I've offered by heading back to Newquay from Indian Queens or even earlier from Roche and back along A3059.
Enjoy your ride, and make sure you get it.

 

[livpoksoc]

From Padstow down to just N of Bodmin and then up the River Camel valley NE to Wenfordbridge, it is entirely suitable for a road bike with a smooth gravel surface 90% and slightly less smooth the rest. I cycled the whole length (and then up onto Bodmin Moor) on slick 28s last month (at the end of 150km). It was dry but would have been OK in wet. First two sections (Padstow to the 'junction' N of Bodmin) are the best surface.
For a simple route out from Newquay: B3276 to Padstow (NB holiday traffic at w/e), Camel Trail to Bodmin, old A30 (which parallels new A30) WSW to Mitchell (which is SSE of Newquay), and finish with some hills via St Newlyn East. If you don't want to tangle with the beach lovers' cars, take the B3276 to Tregurrian and then head through St Mawgan village (cheeky climb out) heading NE to the B3274 taking you N to Padstow. Can also short cut the route I've offered by heading back to Newquay from Indian Queens or even earlier from Roche and back along A3059.
Enjoy your ride, and make sure you get it.

Thanks for this, I'll give this a go!

 

[jay clock]

That was my worry. I've seen the way the locals drive around the farming lanes & do worry about taking the bike out.

I have done some of that road as per here https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14297093 several times with zero problems.

 

[livpoksoc]

Thanks for the advice. You were right about the lumps! Went out this morning, was going to try Crantock to Padstow and back but going up Watergate Bay I could barely see 20ft ahead of me so looped around St Mawgan and back. Still 17 miles and more climbing than I do in 45 miles at home!