Cycling UK Forum

I'm pretty sure I'm going a different, but much longer route. However what are people's thoughts on this stretch of road?

Forget it. It's lethal - very busy with fast cars and BIG just as fast lorries. The safest parts are, strangely perhaps, the dualled bits. At least there's room to pass there. But, there's also usually lots of sharp debris in that little bit of road next to the kerb!
The A38 in Cornwall is as bad. Whatever the extra distance to avoid these roads, it's worth it - not just in scenery, but in safety.
OK - experienced cyclists do use these roads and I have when absolutely necessary, but I am off them asap.
I cycle Cornish roads a lot and also drive them. I've seen awful near misses by vehicles desparate to overtake bikes and shave a milisecond off their time. Do yourself a favour and take alternatives.

Cool mate, cheers! I'm mainly going off-road and am doing LE to Okehampton on my first day, which I estimate to be about 115 miles. Which I don't think is too bad, only about 20-25 miles more than the most direct route.

Hello Euskadi.
Braz, there's no need to shout!

A30 from Penzance to Okehampton and then to Exeter is dual carriageway for just about all the way. Fast, furious and noisy. You might think that it's dangerous, but I'm not sure about that. Fast traffic for sure, 100mph etc. But no more dangerous than twisty main roads? The A30 is the easiest route. The highway engineers know what they're doing, by following contours, digging cuttings and building embankments - just like the railway engineers and canal navigators did before.

However, the road is no fun at all. It's boring. Far better is to follow the "Old Roads" and enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of the countryside.

Best route IMHO is:
A30 to Penzance, then turn off into Hale.
Follow the Old A30 through Connor Downs to Camborne and Redruth, Scorrier and Chacewater, then pop out onto the A390 to Truro.

From Truro follow A390 calling in at Probus then on to St Austell. Then St Blazey to Lostwithiel, then West, Middle and East Taphouse and on to Liskeard town centre. (Roadworks at Dobwalls building a by-pass etc)

Still on A390, keep going to Tavistock via village of Gunnislake down it's wonderful steep hill and into Devon over New Bridge. Continue into Tavistock.

From there head north on the A386 for Okehampton. As you approach Okehampton, you pass under the A30 dual carriageway and see a sign for Okehampton. Easiest way is to follow the signs and get on the DC, but you pull off very quickly and get on the Old A30 at very first exit and find yourself in Okehampton town centre.

There is another way from passing under the A30 to Oke. Stay on the same road without following the sign and get to a roundabout a couple of miles further on. Take a right.

Soon after, take a right at another roundabout and go downhill to a T junction. Turn left, and that is the Old A30 to Oke town centre.

Howzat?

Excellent Mick! I see I'll have to post my really long 'scenic' route for your opinion Maybe not tonight though! Like your route, this pretty much my alternative route if I don't fancy first choice on the day!!

Hey Euskadi. I am an instant admirer. As one who considers 50 miles on Cornish roads more than enough for 1 day, your plan is to me not something I'd even dream of!
Good luck.

Hey Dodger, I'll post my route later tonight (got to go vote for London Mayor) then you'll probably think I'm nutty. But it is based on actual JOGLE riders routes! Key points are Germoe off A394 and then unclassified through Nancegollen and porkellis and Carnkie, then onto A39 and A390 then unclassified again Doublebois, Minions, Upton cross, Rilla Mill, Horsebridge, Sydenham dameral, Culverhill, and then A386 from tavistock

Not wrong, Braz. Except how do you get along the Old A30 from Altarnun?

From Altarnun, go up to Fivelanes, where you find the Old-Old A30 and the Old A30. Yes! Both of them! But there ain't no way out without going on the New A30!

(unless you know how to do it) .... pass under the New A30 to the roundabout, take the left exit and follow the tiny dirty road. Given choices, take left turns and pop out through Trevauge at Plusha. The Old A30 then goes to Lewannick - then stops.

It re-appears at Kennards House, where you can go through Treggadilet back to the New A30! The Old A30 doesn't start again until you leave Launceston for Polson and Lifton .....

Sorry, I've upset Euscadi's last post. I pressed the wrong button.

Sorry, Euskadi.

I'll try and refresh what has been said.

Euscadi suggested he wanted to go via Minions and Rilla Mill.

Better to stay on the A390 to Liskeard and carry on to Tavistock.

If you want to go via Minions, carry on to Upton Cross then turn left to Congdons Shop. Go straight across to South Petherwin and Launceston, then the Old A30 over Polson Bridge to Lifton and thence to Okehampton.

Horsebridge is steep.

Hi Folks

Thought I would join in the conversation. If you are after Cornish lanes, then the route through Germoe, Godolphin Cross, Nancegollan, Releath, Porkellis, Carnkie, Stithians, Perranwell Station, Carnon Downs and then onto to Truro is the route for you. It's nice and quiet.

When I was cycling through Stithians once I met a cyclist beginning the LEJOG ride, and I cycled with him for a chat...he was aiming to stay at Fowey for his first night.

If you after a quick ride avoiding the A30, then Mick's route is the best through Hayle, Connor Downs on the old A30, Camborne, Tuckingmill, Pool...old redruth by-pass to Chacewater and then through to Truro.

Hi Mick, no worries I think my earlier post covers the route anyway. What's the road like up to Congdons Shop and South Petherwin? Would you strongly favour it over the one I posted?

And if you are after a scenic route, when leaving Hayle, cycle towards Gwithian and then up on the North Cliffs. The scenery is superb as you cycle towards Portreath on the B3301. Stop at Hells Mouth. The road will take you into Redruth where you can head towards Truro.