Advice on hard training rides around Padstow (Cornwall)

PieterM

I will be down in Padstow (Cornwall) for a few days next month. I don't know the area at all but from Google Earth it looks like decent cycle terrain. Would love to do a few hard rides there of 100-150km. Can anybody give any recommendations? Thanks!

fastandfuriousxc

The camel trail,

It goes to wadebridge, bodmin, poleys bridge. From padstow poleys bridge is about 35miles return, no traffic but may be busy during the weekend.

PieterM

Forgot to say that I was thinking of routes for a road bike, no rough stuff for me please.

must-tri-harder

hi, i dont live too far away and often head out towards padstow on longer weekend rides. the camel trail is obviously not intended for road bikes so forget that.

if i was you i would head back inland to the A390 and then aim for wadebridge, you can either follow the coast up to bude which is pretty hardcore 20% climbing territory or maybe stay a bit more inland and head up through camelford, maybe delabole, boscastle and back should stretch your legs.

something like that anyway. it isnt very flat whichever way you go. alternative would be to head for newquay, the coast road has more nuts climbs through watergate bay, porth etc, that is a rather scenic ride and shouldnt be too busy out of season.

i may see you out on the road ..

mikedeacon

If you're in the area on the 16th, you could enter the Cornwall Tor sportive
http://www.kilotogo.com/index.php?optio ... vent_id=12
100 or 72 hilly miles.

PieterM

thanks must-tri-harder I will check those roads out.
@mikedeacon: unfortunately I will be there the weekend after but I'll have a look at the route online to see if I can do part of it.

onthefells

PIETER I go down there a fair bit and as tri harder says the best route in my mind is just to stay on the coastal road. you may not want to go out and back but its a superb road with lots of 15-20% short climbs and descents through all the little coves and villages between Padstow and Newquay. the fact you can see the seas for some of the ride relieves the tedium of out and back. I'd definitely try it for one of your rides.

SteveR_100Milers

I have stayed near Padstow for many years in the summer. My favourite ride is the coast road from Padstow to Newquay on the B3276 - plenty of 20% ers, but short so easily do-able. St Columb Minor -> St Mawgan -> Little Petherick B3274 and back to Padstow. About 31 miles ish.
The only problem in the summer is traffic and lots of it. Still most of it is holidaymakers who not being indiginous and therefore more cautious as they are lost perhaps tend to give way a bit more than you might otherwise expect perhaps.