Cornwall & Devon Family Cycle trails and routes

[Tom B]

We find ourselves, (that is myself Mrs TomB and Toddler TomB) in Cornwall for a couple of weeks.

We have our bikes and child seat.

We have done the Camel Trail a few times now.

Can anyone recommend and similar, ideally off road routes to adventure. We're comfortable with up to 50miles round trip. Ideally with a cafe/eaterie somewhere.

The Mrs isn't into MTB stuff and is still recovering from an off. We're on 28/32 tyres and of course with a child in a bike seat so nothing to rough.

I've had a look at online sources but you can't be too sure, I've had a few magical mystery tours on online recommendations

 

[helston90]

The two which spring to mind are either The Great Flat Lode (it's not a flat route, it's the Lode that's comparatively flat when compared to other mineral Lodes) but you'll need to be reasonable at following a map for that one, I'd also recommend the coast to coast trail of Bissoe Trail, cafés at both ends and half way.

Neither of these are 50 miles but offer some lovely off road/quiet road routes which I'm sure you can tack onto something.

 

[Tom B]

The two which spring to mind are either The Great Flat Lode (it's not a flat route, it's the Lode that's comparatively flat when compared to other mineral Lodes) but you'll need to be reasonable at following a map for that one, I'd also recommend the coast to coast trail of Bissoe Trail, cafés at both ends and half way.

Neither of these are 50 miles but offer some lovely off road/quiet road routes which I'm sure you can tack onto something.

Cheers we managed to do the Coast to Coast via the Fox and Hounds and a cheeky pint. Now busy gloating to the MIL that we've done the Coast to Coast before she has. She's not figured out we mean the 11 mile Cornish version.

We did it from Portreath and found it a bit tricky find the start on. Even the hire bike bike collecting bikes didn't know, which was a bit of a worry. As ever we asked some oldies who pointed it out. Cake was tested at the old petrol station end of the route too.

Ended up getting a gpx file that opened with komoot which I've never used, turned out it was giving directions for the opposite direction so I turned the damn thing off and went back to open cycle maps which handily had the route.

 

[straas]

I've cycled the B roads from Gwithian to St Agnes, they seemed very quiet, but I think it was a bit out of season when I was using them. The SW coast path is good, until you get to any of the inlets where it's really steep.

 

[Tom B]

We're thinking about having a bash at Oakhampton to Lydford Granite Way... Can anyone give an idea of surface conditions?

 

[mudsticks]

We're thinking about having a bash at Oakhampton to Lydford Granite Way... Can anyone give an idea of surface conditions?

Good conditions, and pretty level.

 

[Tom B]

Good conditions, and pretty level.

Splendid . Thanks.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Okehampton to Lydford Granite Way... Can anyone give an idea of surface conditions?

First class. Tarmac nearly the whole way. Observations:
A few gates. Care negotiating chicanes for crossing farm roads. Otherwise good sight lines. Short (500m) stretch of permissive route (
Lat,Long 50.666278,-4.090840 )
a bit bumpy/unpaved/a few wiggles and narrow - so just normal politeness to those coming the other way - but entirely negotiable on a road bike (and I've ridden the Granite Way at night a few times).
Bike Centre and cafe just near Sourton Down junction may be open.

 

[Ajax Bay]

The thread title excluded suggesting the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple to Meeth (N of Hatherleigh/Okehampton) but I would say that's an excellent choice. Some of it is similar surface to the Camel Trail NE of Bodmin; some is better. And also in W Devon (so maybe within range) the Drake's Trail from Tavistock south: includes an amazing viaduct hundreds of feet above the Walkham river and a drippy (but short enough not to need lights) tunnel at Grenofen. Good surface Tavvy-Yelverton. More variable south of there till you get onto the old Plym Valley railway track - all the way to Plymouth (cycle/ped bridge under A38 overpass and down the Plym estuary to finish). Devon C2C.

 

[Tom B]

The thread title excluded suggesting the Tarka Trail

Fixed that...

Thankyou for the recommendations. I'll definitely have a look and we'll likely have a go over the next 10days.

 

[DCBassman]

(but short enough not to need lights) tunnel

No. Absolutely everyone in both tunnels (Grenofen and Shaugh) should carry lights. You might be lucky to see a silhouette of someone unlit in Grenofen, no chance whatsoever in the curved Shaugh tunnel. Lights, always, in tunnels.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Thank you for the lights correction @DCBassman I had forgotten the Leighbeer tunnel.

 

[DCBassman]

Thank you for the lights correction @DCBassman I had forgotten the Leighbeer tunnel.

And forgotten it had that name!
The lights thing is slightly less of a problem in winter, less sunshine, but otherwise, I tend to stop a little into the tunnel for a drink and let my eyes (and the photochromics if it's sunny) adjust to the darkness a bit. Also gets the most out of your lights that way.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Was mid January the last time I rode through so maybe the minimal lighting wasn't such a contrast with the overcast skies and overhead forest cover.

 

[mudsticks]

No. Absolutely everyone in both tunnels (Grenofen and Shaugh) should carry lights. You might be lucky to see a silhouette of someone unlit in Grenofen, no chance whatsoever in the curved Shaugh tunnel. Lights, always, in tunnels.

Yes last time I was there, it was a sunny day, and I was going quite a pace on entering, I didn't really have a chance to slow safely and deploy a light as I had a friend on my tail, I just tried to stay what I 'felt' was central, and hoped no equally unlit idiot was doing the same coming the other way.

Thankfully they weren't, but it was a bit 'flying blind' for a while there