This is a ride for the adventurous and you could call it Bike to the Stone Age! Some of it is off-road and best suited to mountain bikes. There are frequent undulations and a very steep climb out of Newlyn, but it is a route which gets right off the beaten track. It criss-crosses the Penwith moors and passes close to several interesting prehistoric sites, notably Chun Castle, the Men-an-Tol and the Lanyon Quoit which are all accessible on foot if bikes are left secured. In its late stages, the ride ascends to the highly visible landmark of the derelict Ding-Dong Engine House from which there is a long, exhilarating descent back to Penzance. Take food and drinks with you, as there are no modern day facilities en-route.
Start: Jubilee Pool, Penzance.
Proceed west via Promenade to Newlyn.
Left along Harbour to Red Lion Public House. Turn right and climb steep hill into Gwavas Lane. Continue to climb well clear of Newlyn. Descend to ’T’ junction. Turn right to main B3315. Turn left andin approx. 200 yds_turn right signed Drift. Continue to main A30 at Driftand proceed straight across towards Sancreed, passing the Drift Reservoir on your right.. After approximately 1 mile turn left signed Brane. Continue to Brane.
Off Road Section: Follow signs for Bridleway. Continue, passing signs for ’Carn Euny’ Settlement. Steady climb to top and descend to metalled road.Turn right for about 200 yds.
Turn left (Grumbla) and in approximately 1/4 mile turn left into Bridleway to cross Ford. Continue on Bridleway climbing through Botrea & Higher Botrea to metalled road A3071.
Turn right and proceed past junction with St. Just road (B3318), continue for 100 yds and take Bridleway to the left to climb up past ’Naviga‘tion Beacons’ (This section known as ’old North Road’). Descend to almost reach the St. Just road. Turn right along rough track passing through Trehyllys Farm to metalled road. Continue straight ahead to reach main road. Turn right for approx. 2 miles, passing the Lanyon Quoit.
Turn left into ‘No Through Road’ and climb to summit with metalled road giving way to Bridleway.
Pass Ding-Dong Mine and continue swinging right to Bodrifty Mine and metalled road. Turn right and descend following signs for Penzance.