MORE than 1,000 cyclists set off from Plymouth on a gruelling new event taking in Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley and the South East Cornwall coastline.

Participants in the Plymouth Gran Fondo could choose routes of 100 miles, 80 miles or 40 miles, with all three rides passing through tough and hilly terrain.

Having gone over the Tamar and skirted Bodmin Moor, riders descended the Looe Valley to Seaton. Then it was on to the Rame Peninsula and across the Torpoint Ferry back to the finish at Sutton Harbour.