In the Bude area, the intent is to extend the current multi-use trail from Helebridge to the Devon border near Titson, with much of the new route being off-road.   Negotiations with landowners are underway and survey work has been commissioned.   A section of the old railway line south of the river Neet was purchased in 2010 to add to the section north of the Neet already owned by Cornwall Council.

Construction of a new piece of track to take the cycleway under the A39, using an existing farm underpass, is now complete.   This avoids the need to cross the A39 using a traffic island.   A celebratory walk/ride to 'open' it was held on 29th October 2011; over 120 people of all ages took part.

A39 underpass opening event     event photos

 
Plans to extend the cycleway beyond Helebridge are still being negotiated with intended completion of work on a section to beyond Marhamchurch in 2012.

Devon County Council have plans to extend the existing off road cyclewat at Holsworthy viaduct to make more of the existing route off-road between there and the county border near Titson.   This will link to the Ruby Way cycle routes that Devon are constructing and, particularly, to the off-road route between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh which is now substantially complete.   The intent is to designate the Bude to Holsworthy route as the Atlantic Ruby Way

New Cycle Centre

The new cycle centre was constructed in early 2011 on the corner at Pethericks Mill, Bude, where the current multi-user path exits from the route over the old railway bridge and then goes back over the flood defence bank into Bude marshes.

(see construction pictures in the Gallery page).

The 'Bude Bike Hire' section of this centre opened in June 2011 and the 'River Life Cafe' at the front of the building opened in July.   The cental section of the building houses a sports shop (HPT Sport) which opened on 29th October.

In addition to providing cycle hire facilities, this cycle centre will also act as an information point for users of the multi-use trail and other related activities in the Atlantic Trail area.

Whalesborough permissive bridleway
  & Weir coffee-house/bistro

Whalesborough have done major work over the past 18 months to upgrade the permissive bridleway across their land that links from Helebridge to the coast road above Widemouth Bay.   This work includes the laying of a gravel path to link the lower concrete access road from Helebridge to the concrete road that runs out to the coast road, extra signage and also the building of a much wider gateway to the coast road.


Whalesborough have opened a new coffee house / bistro near the start of this route with wonderful views out over the new lake and the Helebridge valley.

This building also houses a wildlife interpretation centre.


Tamar Lakes cycle track

South West Lakes Trust, in conjunction with 1SW, have constructed a family-friendly green cycle track at Upper Tamar Lake.   This is a loop of 4.7km, encircling the whole lake from the café back to the café.

This has compacted well over the winter.   It was 'officially' opened in April 2011.   The Tuesday cycling group made a longer-than-usual ride earlier this year to explore it (as can be seen from the pictures in the Gallery page).   Since then new growth has come up round the track; it is now looking very good indeed and provides a wonderful route round the upper lake for both cyclists and walkers, and particularly for young families who wish to stay totally off-road.
There will also be a 'skills section' with boardwalk and humps.

There is ample parking near the cafe so those just wanting the lakeside circuit can take their bikes there by car - Bude Bike Hire can hire car bike racks as well as bikes.

There is also an attractive quiet road circular ride from Bude (or Stratton) to Tamar Lakes - so, for families/groups with a mix of nervous and more competent cyclists, some can cycle to the Lakes while others meet them there to cycle or walk the new lakeside track.

(Caution: The loop does have a brief section on the A39 near Kilkhampton, this can be avoided by going to the lake via Stratton and returning the same way.)

The circular ride from Bude to Tamar Lakes and back to Bude can be done as either a clockwise or anti-clockwise loop.   A brief description of the clockwise route is available.   (see brief route description)  Alternatively, a more detailed desription of the loop in both directions is available.   (see detailed route description)