Heading down to Bodmin for a few days next weekend. Can fit the bike in and will have a day to myself.
Would you bother or not? anything better nearby?
Don't bother with Cardinham, it's average at best imo. Bit of a waste of a decent hill. Lots of people will disagree as the place is very popular, i guess it would be ok for some xc miles with the odd decent view and lung busting climb. Lanhydrock trails up the road are better designed and built but only bitesize. Your best bet for some really good trails would be Grogley woods, i'd show you around if i wasn't in the Middle East at the moment 🙁 There was an article in this months dirt on the south west that featured grogley (and a few of my mates). There are actually 3 decent woods quite close by, grogley, bishops and hustyns but bishops i believe is still closed for forestry work and the trails are a bit harder to find in hustyns. It's all pretty straight forward in grogley woods, easy fire road climb and most of the tracks start in the same place and finish down by where you will park (it's more of a big layby than a designated car park).
Was down there last summer with the family and I rode the Cardinham trails a number of times. They're not in the same league as some of the Welsh or Scottish trail centers but still plenty of fun. If you have a day to yourself and can take the bike I can't see why you wouldn't. There is only really one loop though and it is quite short - good for a quick spin in the evening.
Another vote for grogley if you want something a bit more than identikit built trail centre trails.
Too many tight switchbacks for my liking. Some of my mates love it though.
It's good fun, not a days ride tho, think most people combine it with Lanhydrock or do multiple laps.
We enjoyed it last yr. Tame enough for MsD to enjoy it, but challenging enough that I wasn't bored - like most places it gets harder the faster you ride.
Will be taking the bikes when we do our annual Cornwall trip & MsD is insisting on revisiting CW.
It's lame at best. Grogley ftw.
I like it, only 6 miles but 4 laps at speed is a good workout & plenty of switchbacks to practice for the Alps.
Cardingham Woods is a good fun trail. And combine it with the Lanhydrock Trails nearby and you have a good day out on the bike.
I prefer a more XC orientated trail so Cardingham is good for that, Lanhydrock is a bit more DH orientated, at least on the two more difficult trails.
As Muddydwarf said, Cardinham is pretty good at the right speed although you'd need a few laps for a proper day. If you're inclined it also has static BBQ's in a nice area if you have kids with you (just re-read that you haven't but worth knowing for a future trip). Lanhydrock is OK but the runs are short on the more/slightly challenging stuff and the rest of it is pretty tame (my 6 yo can do all of them).
I've been with the Cross bike, it's spot on for that.
I don't really get the hate, or, to be honest, those saying Lanhydrock is better. Admittedly it's not the same as a welsh or scottish trail centre, but as south west trail centres go it's up there in my opinion. I find it more short and sharp than haldon, no it's not the longest but ridden fast the blue with additional red loops (inc. Hells Teeth) are pretty fun. The hells teeth section is pretty rocky and has some great switchbacks on the decent, areas to get some air (if you hit them fast enough).
We tend to do 4 loops flat out which equates to around the 20 mile mark.
don't hate it, just think grogley is betterer.
Lanhydrock is a bit more DH orientated, at least on the two more difficult trails.
It's not DH orientated...unless by that you mean the trails are orientated down the hill. It's certainly not full face and pads 'DH' (although the duel track is arguably closest to that sort of definition).
don't hate it, just think grogley is betterer.
Fair one, never been to be honest! Pretty easy to navigate the trails there?
It's not DH orientated
Yes I agree, it is just more that the 2 more difficult trails have been designed to go downhill, with the uphill return just been a long slog on a firetrack.
Lanhydrock is not going to challenge an experienced rider, but they are good fun and the mix of trails means there is something for everyone.
I rode Cardinham & liked it - they've made good use of a relatively small area.
Do you have to pay to use Lanhydrock or can you park at Cardinham & ride Lanhydrock? (Lanhydrock wasn't finished when I rode Cardinham)
No you can park at either one and ride to the other. Both are free other than parking, which is great in this day and age.
Lanhydrock is entirely free - no charge for parking, occasionally park up there, ride there then roll down to Cardinham.