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Club Rides 2003 |
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Club Ride Sunday 28th December Ten keen (mad) riders in raging N/W gale set off for Hayle. Alan turning back at Gwithian, rumour being he went home to have more Xmas cake. We rode up the north coast to Portreath where we lost Dave somewhere? Nobody saw him go! We then rode to Redruth, Four Lanes, Nancegollan, Sithney. Mike P taking the main road back, and the remaining seven taking the lanes to Porthleven, then the coast road up past Rinsey to Ashton, Bal West, Millpool, and then splitting at St Hilary. Andy and Stu still having more miles to do. I rode 47 miles. We did not stop for coffee, very chilly wind... [Mike Tonkin 28/12/03] Alternative club ride/Ciclismo en Espagne (Part 2). Bright and sunny again, but with a blustery wind. Along the coast as last week, but turned north into the mountains at Valle Niza, then 6 miles uphill through Cajiz to Iznate at about 1500 feet, before descending via Benamocarra and Velez-Malaga back to the coast at Torre de Mar. Almost immediately turned north again into the mountains, with a 10 mile climb of over 2000 feet to Competa. Now really cloudy and windy. Some of the roads really rough as well! After some initial bone-shaking, an exhilerating descent back to the coast at Torrox Costa, by which time the clouds and wind had disappeared and there only remained the final 2 mile climb to home. 66 miles this morning. Then, you've guessed it, down to the beach for another paella. [05/01/04] Club Ride Sunday 21st December Seven riders met at the hut, and it was good to see Mike Phillips who we have not seen for 12 months, on a cold windy day to go to the Kernow Xmas '10' TT 11.00am at Leedstown. We rode to Hayle taking in St George's Walk, Connor Downs, and Praze, then riding the course in reverse. We arrived at the start with 10 mins to spare. Most people had an excuse not to ride (doctor's note, etc). Layton, Bob and Andy braved the elements. No times seem to have been recorded (must have been bad!). Kernow's web site has none either. We split at Leedstown making our own way back. I did 35 miles. [Mike Tonkin 28/12/03] Alternative club ride/Ciclismo en Espagne (Part 1). Despite the clear blue sky and the brilliant sunshine the early morning was still a little chilly as I started the 2 mile descent through Nerja. Once out of the town, it was east along the coast road with the Med. glinting on my left. The route was pan flat, through Torrox Costa and Torre de Mar, to Rincon on the outskirts of Malaga. Saw loads of cyclists, many in large bunches of 20-30 riders, all heading in the opposite direction! Still, gave me plenty of practice saying 'Hola'. Returned by the same route, but by now it was distinctly hot. Finished off with the 2 mile climb back up to the villa, making 54 miles in total. Then down to the beach for a paella at Ayo's open air restaurant.[05/01/04] Club Ride Sunday 14th December Despite a dry and sunny morning, only seven riders gathered at Long Rock. I think that some serious arm-twisting and Christmas shopping must have been going on! The official photographer's camera refused to work again! Only one rider turned up for the shorter ride, so we all headed off together into the chill NW breeze. The bunch repeatedly split and reformed on the hills as we trundled through Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, past the Merry Maidens, and Treen to the little cafe at Trevescan, just short of Land's End. Steve Lampier and Andy Ellis couldn't face the cakes, and continued on their way, so those five of us remaining were left to sample the delights of home baking. Still searching for an elusive tailwind, we set off up the A30 through Sennen, where Mike Tonkin and Jane Thurnell-Reed peeled off for home, and three of us were left to conquer the hills of St Just and Zennor. The pace hotted up, and it was 'grimpeur' Bob Richards against 'rouleurs' John Payne and Tony Farnell. After Zennor we finally found the tailwind, which enabled us to harbour delusions of grandeur (the names Lance and Jan were frequently mentioned) up the remaining climbs as we sped through Lelant, Hayle, Copperhouse and Leedstown, before the final splits at Ward's garage and Ashton.[15/12/03] Club Ride Sunday 7th December Twelve riders met at Long Rock on a chilly but dry morning. Only Jane wanted the short ride, and she agreed to hang on to the back of the long ride until she'd had enough. The cakes at Mullion Cove seemed a good idea, so we headed off into a brisk easterly wind, through Rosevidney, St Hilary, Millpool and Godolphin. On the first hill Steve Lampier remarked that it must be a record that Rhys wasn't sprinting for the top at the head of the bunch. However, normality had returned by the second hill! Regulars Steve Lampier and Chris Opie had both been notified that they were going to receive "Dave Raynor" funding to ride for continental teams next season. Steve had celebrated the previous day by getting in some 'bonking' practice. Bob was desperately trying to convince me that he really did go home last week, when he left the ride early, just so he could put on some dry kit before venturing out again! We need witnesses, Bob. From Sithney, we did a circuit of Helston, which included an interesting climb out of Lowertown that had a few riders grovelling. Then it was through Trewennack, Boskenwyn, Pemboa, Culdrose and Cury before grinding up the climb out of Poldhu Cove. Four 'anorexics' shunned the cafe stop, but this did not deter the 'aficienados' who were soon doing some serious carbo-loading and enjoying the free chocolates again. Motivation had obviously dwindled after the break, as there was a majority for heading home by the most direct route. A variety of dubious excuses for this lack of dedication were offered, but none were believed. So, it was back up the main road to Helston with a strengthening cross-wind, before being blown down the A394.[08/12/03] Club Ride Sunday 30th November Things didn't look promising today. As I was riding down to Long Rock it started to pour with rain. However, despite Dave Henderson being spotted sneaking off in the opposite direction and Mike Tonkin returning straight home, 14 riders were gathered at the club hut. It was very encouraging to find 4 women (is this a record?) present. Jane Thurnell-Reed and sisters Lynn and Pam from St Ives completed a shorter circuit through Mousehole and St Buryan, while Debbie opted for the faster group. The rest of us headed out through the rain to Newlyn, before turning inland and crossing Penwith Moor to the north coast, via Heamoor and New Mill. A nifty short cut by Jason Pascoe, Tony Rowell and Debbie enabled them to reach Zennor just in front of the main bunch. Once we were thoroughly soaked to the skin, the rain stopped and things started to warm up, mainly because Rhys would insist on sprinting for the hill primes! We briefly regrouped after the ascent and descent of 'Eagles Nest', but subsequently the ride started to fragment. Jason and Debbie headed towards St Ives, the peleton splashed through the puddles via Towednack to Lelant, where Tony Rowell peeled off to return to his car at Long Rock. Just after Hayle, Stuart Pickering and Bob Richards (and Steve Wedge?) turned for home, although Bob claimed he was only calling in for some dry kit before cycling to Helston! The remaining five stalwarts swished through Gwithian, but were seduced by the cafe at Godrevy. Some who shall remain nameless were defeated by the chocolate cakes. Steve Lampier and Chris Opie talked obsessively about their weight (Steve's thinking of joining Weight Watchers before going to Holland in the spring!) and worried about a random drug test after the coffee. A sprint up the hill climb course soon warmed everyone up and the last part of the ride turned out to be quite agreeable, taking in Hell's Mouth, Treswithian, Barriper (Steve and Chris turned off here and we met Jason and Debbie riding in the opposite direction), Fraddam, Relubbus and Goldsithney, where the final split was made.[01/12/03] Club Ride Sunday 23rd November Despite the chilly temperature, 16 riders gathered at Long Rock, including three newcomers (see article on News page), John Payne, who has now joined us from Camel Valley, and Lloyd Peters the club run 'capitain', making a comeback from injury. The weather smiled on us as we proceeded at a leisurely pace through Marazion, Rosevidney, Relubbus, Fraddam, Barripper, Troon and Nine Maidens (where the leading bunch did a detour via Stithians reservoir and the wiser riders took a more direct route via Four Lanes and Lanner Hill). Experience triumphed over the impetuousity of youth, allowing the mature riders to reach the factory shop at Scorrier first. It's amazing how the pace always seems to increase in inverse proportion to the distance from the cafe stop! New rider John Hoskins had valiantly managed to hang on to reach this vital part of the ride. Rather disappointingly, Steve Lampier bottled out of taking this fine opportunity of making a move for the waitress. The pace picked up on the way back down the north coast through Portreath, or it might just have been the following wind. The bunch completed the ride, meandering through St Erth, before finally splitting at Marazion.[24/11/03] Club Ride Sunday 16th November What a fantastic morning! Brilliant sunshine, mild temperatures and only the gentlest of breezes. But even better, we had a massive turn-out of 20 riders, with Jason Pascoe, Chris Opie, Barry Clegg and Debbie making their seasonal debuts and welcome reappearances for Mark Haynes, Steve Cox, Richard Edwards and Jon Moore. Alan Jones seemed intent on some Sunday shopping, so off we went through Goldsithney and Godolphin, with a brief stop (see photo) before visiting Nancegollan, Releath, Porkellis, Carnkie, Stithians, Perranwell, and Penweathers. En route, Steve and Barry peeled off for home, sensibly deciding that enough was enough. The shock of arriving at Sainsbury's, Truro, was altogether too much for Stuart Pickering and Andy Ellis, who quickly disappeared! The rest of us posed for team photographs and indulged in some serious cake sampling. Suitably refreshed we headed for Portreath, where Mark and Rhys started training for next year's hill climb championships and Steve Lampier failed miserably to do the climb in the big ring! At Hell's Mouth, Layton couldn't stand the thought of another hill and headed for Camborne. Dave Henderson was relieved to be dropped off outside his front door, and the peleton finally split at Hayle. I think this was the best club ride I can remember.[17/11/03] Club Ride Sunday 9th November Lots of new faces this week! Among the ten riders making their debut this winter were Tom Southam, resplenedent in his GB strip, second claim member Andy Ellis and guest James Williams. Although the weather looked ominous, the showers held off, the wind was light and people soon started feeling over-dressed. We followed a more traditional route than of late, heading out along the promenade at Penzance before turning inland at Mousehole and making our way to Land's End via St Buryan. Our normal watering hole at the airport was closed, but the cafe at the mine at Pendeen was open, although the cakes weren't very inspiring! Then it was back along the north Penwith coast with Stuart Pickering and Steve Lampier insisting on sprinting for 30mph signs. The peleton finally split at Hayle, with the Camborne contingent heading north east and the Helston boys heading south. At this stage Rhys set such a cracking pace that Steve Lampier had great difficulty bridging the gap, and we let him lead us out all the way to Leedstown. When he turned left to return to his car at Long Rock, the remaining three of us breathed a big sigh of relief and pottered back home.[10/11/03] Club Ride Sunday 2nd November Help! I missed the club ride today. Stayed in bed because I thought it was going to rain! Can someone who went let me have a brief report? Club Ride Sunday 26th October Twelve riders turned up on a chilly but fine morning. Alan Jones reappeared after a few weeks absence, but wished he hadn't when Mike Tonkin announced that we were bound for Perranporth! Alan wasn't the only one who breathed a sigh of relief when we found out that Mike had confused Perranporth with Porthtowan. Guest Tony Rowell and second claim member Stuart Pickering made their debuts for the season, but such was the intensity of the attacks from Rhys and Layton that neither managed to make it to the cafe stop at Mount Ambrose. The outward journey meandered through St Erth, Copperhouse, Carnhell Green, Praze, Troon and Pool. The club run photographer couldn't make his camera work despite carrying spare batteries. When he arrived home he discovered that the batteries and camera were working perfectly, but the switch was set to the wrong mode! On the way back down the north coast, Bob was thought to have gone home without permission, but later turned up between Leedstown and Sithney after the bunch has split at Hayle! Club Ride Sunday 19th October Ten riders gathered at the club hut, including Dave Henderson looking fit and bronzed from his holidays and Long Rock resident John Payne of Camel Valley CTC. The weather was kind to us yet again with a fine autumn morning despite the chill wind. Led by Tony Farnell the peleton meandered through the back lanes via Rosevidney, St Hilary, Germoe, Bal West and Ashton to sample some Paris-Roubaix training on the cobbles of Porthleven. Following a hilly detour to Poldhu Cove we finally stopped for refreshments and free chocolates at a cafe between Mullion and Mullion Cove. It's open throughout the winter. Will it become a regular watering hole? The cakes were pretty good! On the return ride through Ruan Minor and Goonhilly we came across Steve Cox doing some training on his own. Could this be the secret of his PBs this year? Judging by the way some people were sprinting up the hills I'd say that they haven't been doing enough racing this year. Club Ride Sunday 12th October Eight riders met at the club hut on an overcast, but mild morning. Jon Moore plotted an interesting route into a headwind through Goldsithney, Godolphin, Porthleven, Praze and Black Rock to the cafe at the factory shop at Scorrier. We almost lost Steve Lampier here, as I think he fancied the waitress! Bloated with cakes we charged to Portreath to tackle a hill climb, before being blown back down the north coast to Hayle, where we split into two groups to return to Penzance and Helston. My computer registered 68 miles at the end, so not a bad ride. |