Hit the road with Cornish Cycle Tours
Cycling enthusiasts can challenge themselves on three new road tours taking in one of the UK's steepest hills.
Developed by a Cornish cycling holiday specialist the new tours are aimed at the experienced cyclist and cover up to 78 miles (125 km) a day across tough terrain. The new routes also feature one of the steepest rideable inclines in the county, the 28% Hustyn Hill near Wadebridge.
The new tours add to a range of 10 leisure holidays already offered by Cornish Cycle Tours, who provide accommodation, luggage transfers, and detailed route maps.
Lanyon Rowe from Cornish Cycle Tours said: "As a keen cyclist I know that after a hard day's touring there's nothing better than having your luggage waiting for you on arrival, great Cornish food and drink nearby, and a warm bed to fall into.
"Our new tours offer the serious cyclist rest and relaxation each night in fantastic Cornish inns and guesthouses before setting off again the next morning."
The new tours all follow the same 192 mile (309 km) route of Cornish roads, with options to complete the trip in four, six or eight days.
The clockwise route sees tourers start in Wadebridge and tackle the fearsome Hustyn Hill before the flat road through Ladock allows cyclists to build up speed into the capital of Cornwall, Truro.
At this point those on the £645 eight day tour rest up for the evening, while the other tours continue on to Falmouth, pausing twice to enjoy the scenery on River Fal ferry crossings including the King Harry Ferry, one of only five chain ferries in England.
In Falmouth, after covering 41 miles (66 km), participants in the £510 six day tour can take a dip in the sea at Gyllingvase Beach, just 200 metres from their accommodation; while those on the £320 four day tour continue around the Helford Passage on the final leg of their 78 mile (125 km) journey to the fishing town of Porthleven.
The rest of the circular tour mixes hilly terrain with many of Cornwall's famous landmarks. Along the route is St Michael's Mount, the cycling mecca of Land's End, and Bedruthan Steps, as well as a scenic stretch of cycling taking in the picturesque towns of Porthleven, Marazion and Newlyn.
Mr Rowe, who personally road-tests all the routes, said: "The tours include a broad range of different cycling from flat smooth roads for fast riding to testing hills with stunning coastal views. Adding these new tours allows our customers to choose from a range of 14 sport and leisure tours for all levels of fitness and experience."
And Cornishman Lanyon feels there's never a better time to get back on a bike: "Many people have made new year's resolutions to get fit, and with the Food Standards Agency saying cycling burns up to 400 calories an hour our holidays can help people improve their health and return home re-energised."
Day-by-day itineraries and detailed route maps of all Cornish Cycle Tours range of sport and leisure cycling holidays can be found at: cornishcycletours.co.uk
