This is a shorter ride that takes in the best of the Lizard, it makes for a nice half day out if you stop for a coffee, it's good training too with a few steep climbs lurking amongst the lovely scenery! You could join the loop from anywhere on the Lizard but for the purposes of this description I've started it in Helston for convenience....

• Total Distance: Approx 60km, but I need to check as I've not done this precisely for a while.
• Elevation Gain: TBC
• Time: depends, 2-3hrs
• Gearing: whatever you normally use will do, the steep sections don't last long.
• Map: OS Explorer 103 covers all of it, in the Landranger series sheet 203 will do most.

Actual directions start from the Helston Tesco store carpark (there's posh...) simply 'cause I couldn't think of anywhere else obvious to start from! Also handy for the cafe or last minute supplies..

So, from the carpark at Tesco roll down to the mini-roundabout at the exit and turn left towards the Lizard. After 1.5km(ish) turn left at the sign for Flambards Theme Park, very shortly thereafter arrive at a mini roundabout - facing you is the entrance to Flambards, take the first exit (left). Follow the road, keeping right at the next turning and descend to Mellangose and Pemboa Farm. Continue to climb out of the valley following this road all the way to a T-junction. Turn right to descend to Gweek.

On arrival in Gweek turn right by the Spar shop and follow the road 500m or so as it crosses a creek, shortly after the entrance to the boatyard (on your left) take a steeply climbing left turn signed St Keverne, Coverack etc. This road now meanders nicely under the trees above the creek (below you to the left) before eventually climbing steadily to a mini-roundabout. Take 2nd exit (straight across) towards Goonhilly.

The road past the big dishes of Goonhilly satellite earth station is one of the rare bits of flat around... savour it! The earth station itself has a visitor centre and a cafe but it's a bit early for that... Shortly after passing the dishes reach a crossroads. Ultimately you need to go right here but there is an optional detour if you're interested:

Detour: To visit the village of Coverack (and a number of other little coves and villages) simply keep straight on, following signs to Coverack, turning right where indicated to descend to the waterfront. There's a shop, cafe, pub etc down here. It's an out and back detour this so once you've seen the place turn around, climb the hill and ride back to the crossroads... Roskilly's Farm for icecream and cafe is also down this way... see "cafestop" at the top of the page.

Main route: At the crossroads on Goonhilly Downs turn right. This next bit is nice if you have a tailwind, the road stretches away in front of you, imperceptibly downhill so all of a sudden you'll be having one of Lance's "no chain" experiences..... Follow this stretch to it's a terminus at a T-junction in the hamlet of Kuggar. Turning left here takes you to a dead end on the beach.. so turn right to reach another T-junction. Take the right turn to Ruan Minor, follow the road as it zig zags through the village - follow signs to Cadgwith. Shortly after Ruan the road descends steeply to the pretty fishing village of Cadgwith.

Cadgwith is a lovely little place with the fishing boats hauled up the little beach and the fishermen's lofts nearby. There is a downside however... and that's the climb back out :o) It's steep - but not too long. Just follow the road on up the hill, at the top of the climb keep straight on to reach a t-junction. To your left here there's a small church, which in it's remote setting, is incredibly atmospheric when the weather is foggy or stormy (which frequently happens out here!). Turn right at the junction, 500m later this road intersects the road to the Lizard Point at angle. Turn sharp left to go all the way to the Lizard. It's about 2km to Lizard village with it's tacky gift shops, and a further 1km or so right down to the end. It's rideable all the way and worth it for the views. There is also a handy little cafe here (seasonal hours).

To continue the ride, backtrack the way you came through Lizard village and stay on this road for approximately 7km to a turning on the left signed to Mullion. Follow the road into Mullion village, around the one-way system. At the furthest point of the village centre one-way 'loop' you can bear left to follow the road down to the beautiful Mullion Cove (and the brilliant cafe at the Chocolate Factory on your right at the top of the descent to the cove). The route itself goes right, for 100m or so.

Just after the church in Mullion turn left at the junction to descend (narrow, take care) to Poldhu Cove, following the road past the top of the beach before climbing steeply again out of the valley. Stay on this road, through the village of Cury. At White Cross follow the road as it bears sharp left (signed Helston and Nantithet). Eventually meet the main Lizard-Helston road at a T-junction. Turn left, at the next roundabout keep left (straight on) and follow the road around the perimeter fence of the airfield of RNAS Culdrose. Keep straight on at the next roundabout, past the turning to Flambards on your right and retrace back to Tesco carpark.