Bude Nutcracker Cycle Hillclimb
The coastal roads between Bude and Boscastle boast some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK, with steep climbs and plunging descents. With gradients reaching up to 30%, these roads are a true test for even the most seasoned cyclists. For those living in North Cornwall, this route has long been the ultimate proving ground.
For years, we’ve dreamed of creating a cycling event on this challenging terrain. However, the steep, narrow descents made it difficult to organize. The solution? Focus on the climbs. Our event is a series of timed hill climbs, offering cyclists the chance to push themselves to their limits on the toughest uphill sections.
The route starts in Bude and follows the coastal road to Widemouth Bay. From there, cyclists continue to Widemouth Manor before taking a sharp right onto the narrow coastal road through Wanson, leading to the notorious Millook with its daunting 30% gradients. The journey continues down to Crackington Haven, passing pubs and cafés before tackling the ascent to High Cliff. This exhilarating road leads to the Boscastle road, where you’ll turn around and make your way back to Bude, following almost the same route—except for bypassing the High Cliff road on the return to Crackington Haven.
The challenge is simple: ride continuously without deviations, stop only for the timekeepers, and aim to be the fastest overall climber across the entire course.
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Written Directions:
The Nutcracker Challenge – Bude to Boscastle and Back
Start and Finish: Anywhere in Bude although the first hill starts on the road to Widemouth Bay so the Crescent Car Park or anywhere by the Bude canal would be ideal.
Route
The coastal roads between Bude and Boscastle climb and drop over some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the UK. As there’s no way for these roads to avoid the valleys and summits, they simple go straight up and over creating one climb after another.
Steep and sustained with gradients of up to 30% cycling these roads is a challenge to any cyclist. And yet if you live in North Cornwall this has always been the place to test yourself.
The route starts in Bude and follows the coastal road to Widemouth Bay. Follow the road along to the Widemouth Manor and on the summit, corner take a sharp right onto the narrow coastal road through Wanson and onto Millook with its 30% gradients. Continue until you meet and take the road down to Crackington Haven. Past the Pubs and cafes at the bottom and just as you start up the other side of Crackington you’ll need to take a sudden narrow turn off on your right to High Cliff. This roller coaster road will bring you up to the Boscastle road which you’ll need to cycle down before turning at the bottom and returning to Bude.
The return route is the same except as you come up from Boscastle keep going to the hamlet of Tresparrett Posts and return to Crackington haven from there, this avoids the steep and narrow descent down High Cliff. From Crackington Haven carry on uphill back towards Millook with probably the hardest climb as you exit Millook, then its Wanson, Widemoouth Bay and back to the Crescent Car Park and your finish.
Any bike can be used for this challenge including ebikes.
Note that even during our event we don’t race downhill so take the descents slowly and carefully. There are cafe’s in Bude, Widemouth, Blackrock, Crackington Haven and Boscastle so plenty of places for rests, drinks and food along the way.