Stage 2: Newquay to Bideford

Into Devon

Distance: 80.59 miles

Climb: 5,764 feet


Day Two - and already our third biggest in terms of total climbing - sees us cross the border from Cornwall into Devon once again bathed in beautiful sunshine🌞. 

Skirting the coast and Bodmin Moor, we swap the UK's surf capital of Newquay for the historic port town of Bideford, and on towards Westward Ho!

Fun Fact: The etymology of the name Bideford means "by the ford".

Post-Ride Debrief

As we moved through the byways of Cornwall we encountered both local flora and fauna including being enveloped in a flock of sheep.

Today’s technical tip: Check your cleats are reet! Due to a lack of cycle-shoe maintenance, Richard proved that cycling with only one pedal clipped IS a challenge. Big up the support crew for springing into action, sourcing the pristine parts and tracking us down for the handover.

The unscheduled shoe repair stop had the serendipitous result of taking place right next to the Camel Trail Tea Room, enabling the undertaking of Cornish pasty sampling (thanks Rich). Suitably nourished by the tin-miners’ lunch, our threesome pressed on along the Camel Trail, riding in dappled sunlight beside babbling streams.

Leaving this FLAT trail behind, us intrepid explorers began our ascent to Bodmin, allowing Rich to identify various geographical features but we didn’t see “the beast”.

Passing the first cheese factory of the journey at Davidstowe, we pressed on to the rendezvous with the support crew who’d persuaded the coffee shop owner to remain open to provide much-needed infusions of caffeine.

Ticking off the 29 officially listed climbs as we went, we proceeded towards our second trail of the day. No wonder Tarka the Otter is so famous because its trail is amazing – and offered us the best surface we’ve cycled on since France!

Whatever the long-running enmity between Cornwall and Devon regarding cream teas, there is no competition when it comes to road surfaces. With Devon’s official roads rivalling Hampshire for premium potholes, grotesque gravel and badly broken edges.

Whilst an exceptionally stable cyclist, Rich II met his nemesis on the iron steps down from Bideford station, sustaining the first (and hopefully only) injury of the tour.

We finished our ride by ticking over the 80-mile milestone.

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Richard and Paul's Land's End to John O'Groats charity cycle ride









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