2 day riding using sections of West Kernow Way offroad cycling route in West Cornwall starting & finishing in Penzance

Over the weekend of 3 and 4 October 2026 we will be running a very special charity cycling event - Wild West Weekender - in aid of Mind Cornwall.

Penzance Wheelers will be hosting this special event and will be kindly supported by Katy Roberts (Saddle to Sea) and Mind Corrnwall for a special two-day charity cycling event exploring sections of the West Kernow Way off-road cycling route through the beautiful landscapes of West Cornwall.

Starting and finishing in Penzance, this unforgettable weekend will raise vital funds to support better mental health in Cornwall.

Starting in Penzance riders will take on a challenging off road route using sections of Cycling UK’s West Kernow Way off road route. Using local knowledge we have devised a gravel bike route taking in the natural beauty of West Cornwall. The route is rideable on a gravel bike - some of the terrain can be rocky or muddy.

Day one - setting off from Penzance the route hugs the south coast and gently introduces riders to some off road sections before reaching Lands End - from there the route picks up some of the historic mining areas of West Penwith together with some of the world-famous Neolithic sites scattered across the peninsula. It then climbs to one of the highest points on the route before dropping down to the beautiful Mounts Bay.

Day two - in contrast to day one this route heads east using a mixture of bridleways and quiet roads then pulls north towards the North coast before returning through the central region and back to Penzance.

Riders are expected to be self sufficient during the cycling activities, there will be refreshment stops planned duing the 2 days of cycling and these would be used to regroup and to look at any issues. Because of the nature of the route we will supply riders with a gps tracker (price is included in the ticket price) - this will allow the organisers to see your progress and can also be used if we need to locate you if you have any issues.

The Youth Hostel at Penzance is located in its own large grounds and offers riders a comfortable base camp - evening meal on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday is also included in the ticket price. Accommodation is included in your event entry and will be in YHA dormitory rooms. We will do our best to accommodate rooming preferences where possible, but this cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability.* Private rooms may be available at an additional cost. There will also be a talk on the Saturday evening.

The event is not a race and is designed to be a memorable group cycling experience.

Katy's story

In 2024, Katy cycled 5,632 km around the coast of Britain to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. Katy wanted to raise money for Cornwall Mind, to support people struggling in Cornwall, but she also wanted to show how important talking, movement and getting out in nature are for your mental health.

“I lost my Dad to suicide when I was 16 and I didn’t know how to cope - swimming in the sea, cycling, being outside and finding a community helped me and still does. I want this event to encompass all of these things, I want people to be outside all weekend, meet new people, challenge themselves, while having the best time!”

Description supplied by the event organiser.