Trans Kernow 2025

Event date : Friday 2nd May 2025 - Sunday 4th May 2025

We know that the open road is free to all but the challenge itself is only surpassed by the experience shared, the tales told around the camp fire or a ride relived over cold beers, satisfied smiles and bruised muscles. This is why people sign up for this event and an adventure is guaranteed. 

So what is Trans Kernow?

It may take one day, it may take three days. We don't know what route you're going to take, all we do know is you have got to get to a few definite places, you've got to do it without any outside help and you've got to do it with a smile on your face. There's no number board, there's no prize for winning, there's loads of feed stations (they're called cafes, shops or even fancy restaurants) but they're not always open, there's no accommodation provided and we don't even give you a map. The joy of these Trans events is their simplicity. It's one great big adventure, or more specifically it's many adventures taking place at once, all in Cornwall


Entry Fee is £50 until the end of 2024

Departure window 6pm - 7pm Friday 2nd May 2025

At 18:00 the departure window will open. Some of the riders will blaze off into the night, some may just go to bed and get up in the morning. In the previous years most people have cracked on into the night. 

Check Point 1: Tintagel

Location: tbc

Opens Friday 2nd May at 10pm
Closes Saturday 3rd May at 7am

Check Point 2: Porthleven

Location: Origin Coffee Roasters Roastery

Opens Saturday 3rd May at 4am
Closes Saturday 3rd May at 4pm

Check Point 3: Rockets & Rascals, Plymouth (manned with beer)

Opens 08:00-23:00 on Saturday 3rd May

Open 0900-17:00 on Sunday 4th May

Open 0900-1700 on Monday 5th May


As you'll see from the check point times they don't lean towards a series of Strava smashing segments, in fact they allow for a fairly genial pace. That's because we want riders to enjoy it, you'll probably also need to sleep. However, don't be fooled, riding in Devon and Cornwall is TOUGH, the hills can be steep, the lure of the cream tea can also catch you out. 

So the technicalities:

Well there really aren't many rules, the only rule we'd like riders to uphold is the rule of self sufficiency. By this we mean you look after yourself without any pre-arranged help. If you're in a pair you can help each other out, if you're on your own then you ride alone. You can stop at a bike shop and get a bike fixed, you can stay in a hotel if you like, you can buy a pasty or go for a massage, this stuff we'd class as part of the adventure and it's stuff any rider can do. Having a partner follow in a motorhome and set up camp or arranging for a mate to pass water bottles every 20 miles is what we'd class as pre-arranged assistance and goes against the spirit of the event. These things are classed as game over and we'll tear up your checkpoint card. Obviously taking lifts is not allowed either.

Finally we'll be highlighting a few roads that you're not allowed on as part of the event, these will largely be the A38, A39 and A30, you can cross them but cannot ride along them for more than a few hundred metres. This rule is to promote an interesting route but more importantly good judgement, on a May bank holiday these roads can be busy and dangerous. 

Once you've signed up join our Strava Club,  you can follow other riders, check out mileage and even scope out a few route options. All discussion and activity will happen in Strava rather than on social media so please respond to this request. The Strava Club is the very same club as last year, it's a very special place for all of the pioneers of this event. 

 
Probable FAQ's

In short you’ll sleep wherever you like, some won’t sleep much at all, some will take their own kit and sleep under the stars, some will check into a boutique hotel and have a sauna. The point is it’s self sufficient, part of the challenge is making your plan.

Where does it start?

The event starts at Rockets & Rascals on the Barbican, Plymouth. PL1 2JL

Is it a race?

No, it’s probably more like a reliability challenge or audax, some people will choose to race the clock but that’s their choice. The goal is simply to finish without outside assistance and hopefully create some good memories. You'll be one of few Trans Kernow / Devon Starters and even less finishers.

Who’s organising it?

The team behind this event are Rockets & Rascals in Plymouth. Leading the team is Steve Toze, he’s experienced in organising many types of bike events from Mountain Bike World Cups to road races and distance cycling events. We're all local to the area and know Devon and Cornwall very well. We'll also be riding the event so don't expect us to pick you up in a recovery vehicle if it all goes wrong. This is the ninth year of the event and many of the riders return year after year. 

Can anyone enter?

Theoretically yes but in practice riders need to be able to ride at least 100 miles in one go. If you can’t make the checkpoints (either because you're too fast or too slow) then don’t worry - the live tracking picks you up. Ideally we’d like all riders to back in time for a beer by Sunday. Self verified finishes after this time will still be accepted as completions.

What if you need to pull out of the event?

It’s a self sufficient event, we can’t pick anyone up but you can bail and head for home or make your way back to Plymouth. If you can get to a checkpoint you may be able to negotiate a ride home.

What’s actually included in the entry fee then?

There'll be beer at the finish and the moral support of our team at the manned checkpoints. There'll be a medal (or something like one), the biggest bonus will be the bragging rights and feeling epic. As with last year the Strava group is the place to ask questions and we'll do our best to answer them. Since 2020 we've had GPS live tracking which will allow you and others to track your progress live online, it adds a whole level of fun and safety. 

The mileage doesn’t look too hard, is it too easy?

The point of this ride is not to set a course record, it’s about completion of a challenge. Approx mileage based on a Google map will be about 200 miles in 2.5 days, for most cyclists this will be a great challenge that you'll remember for a long time. 

Do I need special insurance?

We're covered as organisers for you to ride the event, however given that the event is not a race we'd strongly recommend you get your own third party insurance anyway. If you're a British Cycling member then you'll be covered, otherwise why not join Cycling UK, this will also cover you. 

Once you've signed up you'll need to join up to the Strava Group we'll verify your entry and let you in. 

https://www.strava.com/clubs/244685


You'll see plenty of feedback from last year's event and do a quick google search and you'll see plenty of positive feedback on Trans Kernow and Trans Devon

PLEASE NOTE:

Refund policy as follows...

We cancel the event completely : We will refund current year entry fees within 90 days

We postpone to another date : We will offer transfer to new date or you can defer to next year

You can't ride : We will offer defer to next year or you can transfer to someone else

Please note you can only defer once and only up to 7 days before the event. After this point we have ordered your tracker. Deferred places cannot be transferred to another rider.