National Cycle Network route 3 (NCN3) links Bude eastwards to Holsworthy, thence northwards to Devon's 'Tarka Trail' through picturesque Ruby Country landscape.   This route uses minor roads and, increasingly, off-road multi-use tracks.   The network of such tracks through Ruby country is called the 'Ruby Way'.
There are proposals to name the NCN3 link between Bude and Holsworthy as the 'Atlantic Ruby Trail' to emphasise this connection.

National Cycle Network route 3 also links Bude southwards to Cornwall's renown 'Camel Trail', passing through wonderful coastal and moorland scenery on quiet country roads and lanes.   This route is also part of the European VéloWest cycle route through Cornwall.

Bude is also on the route for many cyclists taking the scenic route for the 'End-to-End' (Lands End to John o'Groats - or vice versa).

For the less intrepid, there are a multitude of quiet country lane circular rides to be enjoyed from Bude and there are off-road cycle tracks either existing or being developed - for example at Tamar Lakes, Whalesborough Farm, Stowe Woods and Cookworthy Forest.

As an established holiday location, Bude has a huge infrastructure of visitor accommodation and attractions - including the historic Bude Canal, the South West Coast Path and, of course, its beautiful beaches.   Those who bring their bikes to Bude will be well looked after and will find plenty of beauty and interest to cycle to.   The South West Coast Path and an impressive network of footpaths and bridleways will also satisfy the aspirations of those using other forms of sustainable transport.

This website is being developed to promote all the cycling opportunities in the 'Atlantic Trail' area and will provide maps and route details, information on cycleway developments, plus links to information on other services that cyclists (and their families) visiting the area might require.

Developments in the Atlantic Trail area
There have been several cycling developments in this area over the past few years.   These include:

• In 2020 the creation of an exciting cycling/running track right round Stratton Primary School's large playing field, with loops into adjoining woodland. This is open to the community outside school hours and is enthusiastically used.
• designation of the National Cycle Network route through Bude as part of VéloWest
  (VéloWest is a signed European cycleway that links Bude northwards to the Tarka Trail (part of the Devon coast2coast route) and also southwards to the Camel Trail and then on to the Eden Project and Lanhydrock before returning to the Devon coast2coast route at Tavistock via Launceston and Brent Tor).
• re-routing the multi-use trail under the A39 (to avoid crossing this busy road)
• The Weir bistro on Whalesborough farm (with its associated play area, nature interpretation centre and nature lake) becoming a key attraction for family cylists at the southern end of the Bude multi-use trail
• a cycle centre with bike hire (including electric bikes), initially on the multi-use trail at Pethericks Mill, then moving to Whalesborough and (in 2023) being replaced by a new hire location associated with the established cycle shop in Bude
• an extension of the multi-use trail to cross the River Neet south of Helebridge
• an off-road cycle track right round Upper Tamar Lake
• an off-road cycle track linking Upper Tamar Lake and Lower Tamar Lake
• *   a permissive cyclepath across farmland from Helebridge to the coast road near Widemouth Bay
• *   signing of a 'Bude cycle loop' that includes the above development
• *   the development of a cycling/walking path right round the outskirts of Whalesborough Farm's land on a grass path strengthened with hidden plastic mesh.

These developments are outlined in more detail on the 'New developments' page.

*   following the sale of Whalesborough farm in January 2023, most of the cycling paths across Whalesborough land have been closed for safety reasons during redevelopment work.   This website has being updated to reflect the impact of these closures.

Events
The first public 'Atlantic Trail' event was a walk / ride in October 2011, held to open the new 'underpass' route under the A39.   Over 120 people took part (including cyclists, walkers and pony riders).   Since then there have been many events, including longer distance rides, working parties on the trails and nature walks.

The Events page lists some activities that occur annually/regularly.   The Covid pandemic impacted the certainty of events happening and led to regular updating of the Events page being discontinued.   The intention is to revert to more detailed event information once editing time permits.