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Going to st ives soon. Been before but never with my bike.
Whats best mtb, road or cx bike? Are there any trails there?
Cambs or Cornwall?
The answer will be very different depending on which one
CX bike for a bit of mixed road and trail riding. The North Coast road to Cape Cornwall is a glorious ride. Off road, there are many sections to enjoy, particularly the coast path - Cape Cornwall to Land's End is fun, but you do need to shoulder the bike to scramble over rocks. Around Porthtowan, Chapel Porth and St Agnes head is good too
Cornwall
I'd say cx too. Been that way last year and it's just bridleway and sustrans bashing really.
Is it ok to ride the coast path?
I don't think the coast path is legal to ride and sections are right on the edge of the cliffs so no room for a fall. Think there was a report of a German tourist who set off to ride the coast path and washed up off Sennen...
If riding the coastal path, the main thing to bear in mind (apart from taking it easy on more exposed parts), is we're now coming into tourist season so there are more walkers using it. Some narrow sections can be more tricky to let walkers past and some might have a word with you...most local walkers don't have a problem with bikes but the tourist walkers do more often!
Basically at this time of the year, keep it to early mornings and evenings or weekedays. And don't be a dick. 🙂
I'd take either a CX bike or Road Bike.
Plenty of lanes just outside of St Ives with a mix of steep climbs and rolling open sections, take a ride down towards Sennen Cove on the coast road, just beware of camper vans squeezing through the very narrow sections, it's a nice route and great views. CX'er for the section between Hayle/Gwithian upto Crantock, it's a quiet section of the coastal path and few walkers (because basically there aren't many villages along that section for the 20 minute'ers to walk from) it's a long route taking you over dunes and rocky outcrop cliff faces. Tricky when wet and in a Westerly breeze, take care ride light.
Coastpath is mainly footpath so avoid the middle of the day, but around the old mine workings, there's plenty of tracks to follow. There are quite a few exposed sections which are quite exhilarating, but obviously an 'off' has consequences. Around St Just, Cot Valley to Cape Cornwall and Botallack is nice too.
When we went (without bike) there looked to be some nice moorland type riding to the west of st Ives where the standing stones are. Must be able to ride out there on a cx bike and then have a bit of off road fun
Coast path is fair game after 5