TRURO & ST AUSTELL

Welcome to extreme Britain! Strenuous hills, wild coasts, secluded coves, quiet lanes – all with a not-quite-England feel. They make south-west Cornwall a challenging but rewarding place to explore by bike. Cathedral town Truro is our base, with options for hill lovers and flatness fans.

LONG GRAND TOUR

60 miles Epic back-lane circuit of hills, coasts, views, quaint villages – and short, steep climbs aplenty. Ferry over the Fal and the weird ex-mining scenery round St Austell. Then from Foxhole’s high point down to Newquay (cafes, beach) and little lanes back to Truro. komoot.com/tour/314549221

MEDIUM ESTUARY EXPLORER

45 miles Three exciting ferries – King Harry over the Fal, the glorious St Mawes– Falmouth (a few steps), and Helford (Apr-Oct only) – and lots of splendid, scenic, hilly back lanes and fishing ports (and cafes and pubs). A hatful of short, sharp climbs, with a bigger beast out of Gweek and before a graded descent to Truro. komoot.com/tour/314549913

SHORT TRAMWAY TRAILS

31 miles Easier half-day of fewer and more gradual climbs (for Cornwall, anyway!). Riverside paths and lanes to Devoran on south ‘coast’, then off-road old mineral tramways (flat, need gravel/MTB) to Portreath (cafes, pubs) on north coast. Quiet lanes on the shorter route back to Truro. komoot.com/ tour/314550305