Ben Hardisty writes…
What a fantastic ride this is, an anti clockwise route around the western peninsula of Cornwall. Guaranteed spectacular views, plenty of lumps and bumps en route and as always a fresh wind, ideal training !
So after a week and half of pasties and cream teas, it was an ideal time to go out for a spin to stretch the legs. I had had my eye on this route from the last time we visited Cornwall and after obtaining a hard won ‘pass’ I was off.
The steep climb out of Sennen Cove was an excellent way to warm up (or rather burn), 300 feet straight up from the shoreline. Then once I started breathing again it was on towards Penzance along the south coast via Lands End, Porthcurno, Lamorna, Mousehole and Newlyn. I can recommend the short trip down to Lamorna Cove from the coast road for a cake stop.
Its a good climb out of Lamorna before you descend into Mousehole where the traditional narrow streets are encountered. Then on to the old fishing port of Newlyn, plenty of boats to look at, with St Michaels Mount in the distance across the bay. Quickly through Penzance and then join the B road off up towards St Ives. This is a long drag but enjoyable as fairly quickly sweeping views of the rolling countryside are on offer.
Now near the north coast I turned left to head west away from St Ives towards Zennor. It was here that I faced a strong westerly wind and on the first climb I realised I was running close to empty, and there was another 15 miles of this ! But beautiful views of the coastline kept me going, the road taking me through Zennor, Morvah, Pendeen and St Just. Passing through St Just was uplifting as it meant there were only a handful of miles before reaching Sennen.
I can also recommend the chippy in the main square of St Just where I had haddock & chips a few days later – simply delicious.
I recorded my ride for posterity – riding in the UK doesn’t get any better than this !
