A Ride with Nigel
I have over the 20 years running Bridge Bike Hire used several circular rides incorporating the Camel Trail and quiet country lanes.
These rides add a new dimension to the Camel Trail offering spectacular views of the estuary, moors and coastline.
PLEASE NOTE: WITHOUT EXCEPTION, ALL ON-ROAD ROUTES INVOLVE NEGOTIATING STEEP CLIMBS AND DESCENTS.
WE RECOMMEND:
- Children should be over 10 years old and proficient cyclists.
- Bikes should have at least 18 gears.
- A helmet and bright clothing should be worn.
- On road cycling should be in single file, the more vulnerable members of the party in between the more experienced ones.
---------------ENJOY---------------
Route 2 Padstow - Rock - Chaple Amble
Notes: This is a complete loop of 15 ½ miles offering an ideal family day trip with lovely views of the Camel Estuary. The roads used are quiet minor lanes which, are hilly and occasionally steep, so good cycle proficiency and a minimum of 18 gears on the bike are needed.
From BRIDGE BIKE HIRE follow the CAMEL TRAIL to PADSTOW. Take the ferry across to ROCK. (£3 one-way for the bike). On leaving the FERRY head up through ROCK VILLAGE. After ¾ of a mile look out for the GREEN PORTHILLY FOOTPATH SIGN on the right. A few yards on and to the right is the turn to PORTHILLY. This is easily missed. The only other sign is the one indicating ST.MICHAEL’S CHURCH. Pick your way down to PORTHILLY and up towards CANT HILL. Gateways to the fields offer lovely views of the estuary. After a mile or so you have to turn back to the right. This turning is hard to identify but there is one very SMALL COTTAGE to the right that you need to go past. After ½ a mile there is a junction. Turn right. This lane winds down close by TWO FARMS. There are even better views of the estuary. Now take care as the road starts to dip. This is a tricky and steep section down to and up out of DINHAM. The road eventually comes to a junction. Turn right. This is the busy B3314. Go carefully down the hill. There is a sharp right hand bend at the bottom. You can get back to Wadebridge along this road.
However, for a quieter and longer run visiting of village of CHAPEL AMBLE, bear left at this corner. The road rises then falls. Take care at this point, the road appears to carry strait on, in fact it bends 90 degrees to the left and if you get this wrong, the duck pond beckons. Continuing on as you enter the village turn right at the junction. The delightful MALSTERS ARMS is to the left. There follows two long ascents out from CHAPEL AMBLE. At the top of the second incline the road levels off just before meeting the main road. 50 yards in front of this junction is a lane dipping away to the right. Take this route - there is no signpost, just a small GRASSED CORNER and TWO GATES supported by granite posts. This lane then meets the B3314 again. Turn left on past the SPORTS CENTRE to the TRAFFIC LIGHTS, then right and back down to WADERIDGE.
Route 3 - Polmorla - Whitecross – Old Town Cove
Notes: A total of 6 ½ miles by road, this route offers the option of going to Padstow (1 ½ miles) then returning to Wadebridge along the Trail. Alternatively you can take the 3 ½ miles of trail directly back to Wadebridge, making 10 ¼ miles in total. The lane from Polmorla up to Whitecross is cut into rock and therefore narrow and tricky. In addition the A39 has to be crossed and the main St. Issey road is busy all year round. Given caution over these sections the lovely Polmorla valley and the panoramic views from above Halwyn are well worth the effort.
ON LEAVING BRIDGE BIKE HIRE head towards town, cross the traffic lights and then turn first right by the BRIDGE ON WOOOL public house. This is Polmorla road. After the cattle market to the left this lane offers level cycling through some very pretty countryside for two miles after which the road signposted to St. Columb and Padstow bends sharply to the right. This is now a steep narrow climb and every care should be taken up to the brow of the hill where the lane widens. There is an incline up to Whitecross with the ROYAL CORNWALL SHOWGROUND to the right. You should dismount at this point and push your bikes along the grassy verge to the left. Make your way carefully across the A.39 at the farmhouse identified by the shortwave aerials in the front garden. Take this lane for ½ mile looking out for a track to the left. If you miss the opening, which is not signposted at all, the buildings of Penhale Farm are just around the corner. If you reach the farm backtrack looking right. The short bridleway brings you out alongside the LAURELS Caravan and Camping Site on the main St. Issey road. Bear right, taking care as this is a busy road, go on past BROADMEADOWS GARAGE to where the road narrows, look for a turning to the right signposted Trevilgus, Halwyn, Tregonce. You are now on a minor country lane. The route offers splendid elevated views of the Estuary with Padstow in the distance. The lane gradually drops down to the next junction marked OLD TOWN COVE. Turn right, just above Halwyn. There are Panoramic Views out to the Doom Bar, Padstow, Rock and back towards Wadebridge. Just below HALWYN the road finishes and the track becomes very rough and requires concentration as you pick your way down to OLD TOWN COVE car park and on up to the Camel Trail. Turn left for Padstow or right for the return trip to Wadebridge.
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