The Cornish Way

[Farmboy]

Has anyone cycled the Cornish Way, Lands End to Bude (taking the northerly route Newquay, Padstow, Bodmin, Bude). I am planning on doing this this summer, is this within the capabilities of a 65 year old who normally does 30 mile day trips but has done 60 miles in a day quite comfortably? I did the Devon Coast to Coast I 2 days but am slightly concerned this will be considerably harder. Comments welcome.

 

[drummerbod]

Great idea. I have mapped it out for you... http://fe2.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=wlqdxyenfasradyr

103 miles - 2771 meters of climbing

As to how long it takes depends ob whether you want to sight see . I have plotted the more scenic route. From what you've said you could do it in 3 days.

 

[subaqua]

OT

hopefully not this Cornish way !

Cornish Star Wars:

Luke. I is yurfaather
Wuh?
Yuerd
Geddon
I bleddyis
Forreal?
An Leia's yur sister
shoot, I fancy 'er
Tis allowed in Bodmin

 

[helston90]

Jeez, that's a ride and a half- I do all my riding in Cornwall and would consider that to be quite an epic- 103 miles with 8000 ft+ of climbing would be hard for someone of your described ability- not impossible if you took your time.
The plotted route shows the ferry across at Padstow so you'd need to work out if that takes bikes/ running times etc. otherwise it's a heck of a detour in land.
I have no idea what East Sussex is like but Cornwall is renowned for being hard riding, it's the continual rolling countryside, no flats, no long climbs, no long descents.

 

[Siclo]

If you so desired you could remove a significant amount of lumps by picking up the Camel Trail at Padstow and following it all the way to Wenfordbridge, removes the ferry complication too before picking up the above route north of Camelford. For extra lumps drop the above route into Port Isaac - its a killer.

 

[drummerbod]

Padstow ferry takes bikes and runs from 8am to dusk continually.

Port Isaac has a lovely 25% (1 in 4) gradient.

As Siclo says you could follow the Camel Trail - pretty much flat from Padstow > Wadebridge > Camelford. Not the most exciting of routes though.

 

[13 rider]

The ferry from Padstow to rock does take bikes £2 at trip . I cycled in Cornwall last summer and its hilly . Following the coast every village is a drop down and a climb out mainly short steep climbs .I ride a triple hybrid and do not use the lowest gears on the front round here in Cornwall I used it on every ride .You need low gears .

 

[Dave7]

This may be negative but...................I was due to take my bike to Cornwall last year (St Ives area) but circumstances changed so that I didn't take it. BOY was I glad............it seemed you cannot move 1/2 mile without facing another hill. (TBF I do most of my cycling in Cheshire and 70 has been my maximum distance in one day)
As others have noted you don't seem to say how long you are planning to take doing it..............that could be the difference in success & failure.

 

[Newman8]

All of the above comments are so true it's worth saying again - it's bloody hilly: It's simply not possible to leave home & do a 30 or 40 mile loop without hitting at least 4 climbs & 4 descents of around 20% or more, but even in between those, nothing is ever flat. The problem is compounded because the descents are often harder work than the climbs, because a 25% downhill when you're on a single lane, winding road with high hedges, with the possibility of an oncoming coach or tractor, takes every ounce of effort and concentration you have. Allow 2 or 3 days, make sure you have low gears & do a little planning to avoid the more dangerous descents. Camel Trail is ok btw, but the bumps & gravel can be a bit of a strain on your forearms unless you go for bigger tyres (say 28c+) & even lower the pressure a bit.

 

[helston90]

^but after all that if you wanted some company let us know when you're doing it and we'll tag along for some of it, beautiful part of the country!