My son + buddy are looking at this for August. They'd like to camp and self cook along the way. Both are fit mid 20s, neither a 'serious' cyclist. Both good at camping and have tents. Planning to do it on gravel bikes, but need all the luggage/racks for carrying kit.
So any advice on the route, great campsites and luggage carrying solutions would be fab.
Cheers
The official guide is probably a good place to start; https://shop.cyclinguk.org/products/west-kernow-way-official-guidebook
Go in June before half the country arrives for their summer holiday
We did it (B&Bing) in October half term a few years ago - lovely route, nothing massive in the way of hills but there are plenty of short very sharp ones.
We got the sleeper train down from London, would definitely recommend.
Bike packing luggage can get (very) expensive so if this is a one off trip then I'd just get a pannier rack (assuming bike bikes have mounts) and a dry bag and strap it to the top.
Decathlon is good for cheaper stuff and planet x did some cheap bags I think
Alpkit are worth a look for cheap bikepacking bags. They seem to have a sale on every month as well (currently a winter sale on I think).
Before getting a handlebar bag, I just used heavy-duty bungee cords to lash a dry back to the front of my bike. As long as you are thoughtful on where you wrap/strap everything, it can be quite solid and useable
I forgot to mention, if you start strapping stuff to a bike that has a paint job you care about, shield the areas with electricians tape to prevent rubbing.
My old handlebars had 2 bands either side of the stem where I had rubbed the coating off!
I loved it. Hills are not long, but are extremely punchy in places - I did it on my mtb rather than my gravel bike....so my main advice for gravel bikes is fit the lowest gear you can....and don't underestimate it. I did the King Alfred the month before (on gravel bike), and that was a piece of cake in comparison.
They'd like to camp and self cook along the way. Both are fit mid 20s, neither a 'serious' cyclist. Both good at camping and have tents. Planning to do it on gravel bikes, but need all the luggage/racks for carrying kit.
If you're loading the bikes up with full camping and cooking gear, consider a mountain bike for more suitable tyre volumes and gearing?
I did this last summer and it was fab. But i found those steep climbs tough and there were a few problem solving moments with a fully laden bike and steps. I was on a drop bar mountain bike. A gravel bike would be ok but I’d have had to walk some sections. Scenery was incredible and the off road riding much better than i expected
The start of the crossing from North to south was the only time the road started to gret a touch tedious
Of course the only time my life was in danger was due to poor driving. I came round a corner to find myself facing a car with the driver staring at their phone. Luckily i had space to dive to the side. But obviously be wary on the narrow roads
It's a cracking route. I B&B'd it using a gravel bike with a dry bag on the bars. If you have a camping load I would gear down or use a MTB, the hills are pretty steep. We found several good places to eat and stay along the route.
We found several good places to eat and stay along the route.
You just reminded me! The helford ferry is chuffing expensive, so we just rode round, even in the pissing rain. This did not dampen our spirits though thanks to the wonderful and delicious pasties from Gear farm: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LzocyvMm3Ct61rae9 Check their opening times to ensure that you get there while they're open and still have stock.
I went to cornwall every year as a kid and they were hands down the best pasties i've ever had.