(Picture coming)

Holiday disasters or near death incidents always provide plenty to write home about as indeed did our ride today. There's so much to talk about it's best to keep it short and maybe keep the details for a short novel later.

Looking back, the point of no return, like the point when Shackleton realizes it's do or die and he will have to cross the South Atlantic ill equipped in an open boat and there's no going back for me was when we really should have turned left for Tregony but didn't.
Instead we carried on to Caerhays Castle and beyond into the Roseland hinterlands, up and down some very big and brutal hills, becoming ever more tired, hungry and lost. At one point, or I should say one very low point, we struggled up a particularly nasty, long incline (I'm talking Trengilly Wartha here) to discover that we were actually on a housing estate. The road we'd struggled up looped back down. That was a cruel and pitifully low moment as we were over 4 hours into a tough ride (we all agreed comparable with the Dartmoor Devil) with no tea and cake.

How did it come to this? I blame Melinsey Mill. It was closed and there was little hope of refueling anywhere near so we decided to push on to Heligan without really knowing how we were going to get there. As we passed pub after pub, café after café, all closed, even the normally gay and amusing banter in the peleton started drying up.
I felt especially sorry for Neil who was riding his own company (ICE) recumbent. Neil had bade his lovely wife and family farewell to join the wheelers on one of our usual 4 to 5 hour not-overly-taxing-but-you-know-you've-had-a-ride rides but instead found himself limping home 7 hours later after enduring a ride of near epic proportions. All we can say is, Neil, it isn't usually like this. And it didn't help that the majority of us weren't at our physical peaks of summer fitness and this was possibly the hilliest part of Cornwall and we were lost. Still, this writer didn't regret going, even after a rear wheel puncture 2 miles from home (oh joy) to finish off the day. And there was a certain sense of achievement when I finally reached home. I know how Shackleton felt.

On a positive note the food was good in Mevagissey as was the company - as always. 60 miles that as Lorna said, felt more like a hundred.

A thick frost and the forecast of snow prompted the ‘sensible’ Wheelers to stay in bed, whilst nine mad ones met for a ride to Porthtowan. Don G and Shaun elected to take a direct route and the rest of us headed for Halvasso.

The temperature rose and the sun came out, the only thing that marred the view at Hernis was the huge black clouds to the north. We peddled west through Porkellis and Releath to Nancegollan. Near Clowance Scalatchi received a worried phone call saying it was snowing in Falmouth but we were in warm sunshine.

At Carnell Green Ironman headed home perhaps hoping for a short ski before lunch. Over to Gwithian and along North Cliffs through Porthtreath to Porthtowan where after a brief sleet shower we were greeted by Don G and Shaun saying the Blue Bar was closed.  Dale was disappointed.  The nearest place for bulk vitals was Smokey Joe’s which never closes.

As we left the coast the weather changed, first to slush, then snow, then packed snow. The café was reached with no mishaps and fuel ordered. Paul was asked by the manageress if his bum was wet as the delicate fabric of the chairs would stain easily, she also offered to check it.
The sleet was starting so Don, Shaun and Paul had a quick coffee and headed for home. There were queues at the door as the rest of us left, Devoran Steve and Robin going left to Blackwater and through the valleys, while Dale, Scalatchi and I headed to Redruth, along Sandy Lane and over Lanner Hill to Penhalvean. As we crossed the reservoir we saw the black clouds ahead which we found out afterwards were dropping their contents on Don & Co. The rain held off long enough for me to reach home (and I hope for the other two as well).
A very enjoyable ride of 50+ miles with an interesting selection of weather.    Jim

Following our Webman's request - I was the lone Wheeler who supported Tom Readings and Co on their Saturday charity ride to Lands End.  It was a lovely day.  Route was via familiar Wheelers' territory through Carnkie, Godolphin Cross, Marazion, Mousehole and St Buryan.  Arriving at Lands End around 12.30. 
The scenery was, as usual, magnificent - especially the view of St Michael's Mount on the road down to Marazion. They were meeting others there, but, as time was moving on and I had no lights - I excused myself and attempted to 'blast' back in quick time; however rear mech started to foul up and kept dropping the chain - so jumped on the train at Penzance! 
Anyway, it was a good day out, and I am sure they enjoyed the ride and made plenty of money for Shelterbox - a very worthy cause!  Yes, its been said before - you never regret going! Dan Dare

Webman: Unfortunately several regular Sunday riders were tied up with other things on Saturday and couldn't join the ride, but well done Tom Readings and friends for raising money for such a worthy and practical cause.

Club members were treated to a wonderful presentation by Tom and Margaret Kumsang tracing their epic ride from Vancouver to San Francisco last year.
There were some excellent pictures of breathtaking views as well as places stayed and people befriended all accompanied by appropriate music. Sue said that 'Wow' was the word that best described the views. ‘Wow’ was also the best word that described the highly professional presentation as well. Many thanks Tom and Margaret for the best presentation yet! 

Calling all wheelers – we have a request from Sue Rosevear and the cub scouts. They need old inner tubes with valves on because they are going to make space rockets using lemonade bottles and they need the valves to do so. If you’ve got any hanging about please can you pass them on to Dale, Daniel Jenkin or Brian Rosevear.

Whilst the rest of the UK was bathed in grey, oppressive clouds we lucky 17 were bathing in glorious sunshine, so with joy in our hearts we all set off for Lizard Point via Gweek and Kuggar. Red Leader tried to go solo and make an early break for Bissoe but we dragged him on with the promise of fine fettles.
Lizard Point was quiet, as indeed were the roads enroute, and we enjoyed one of the finest sea views in Britain as we breakfasted on very fine fettles indeed. Then it was back via Helston, Porkellis and Carnkie with Scalatchi and Devoran Steve peeling off to go via Mullion and Poldhu (they like a bit of self-inflicted pain). £5 Jim flew up Carnkie and by doing so flew past everyone else, proving new bikes do go faster.
Nearly at the end, and nearly at 50 miles, veteran Don G (he who says he can't go as far anymore) said he was going for an extra spin around the seafront for good measure. How does he do it?

It was good to get out again after illnesses/relatives/houseguests/wintry weather/Christmas hangovers getting in the way of cycling and it was the first long ride in 2010 for several members. As JB’s brother-in-law (on a visit from Winchester) said on the way back “cycling doesn’t get much better than this”. Well said.

My first time proper back in the saddle after a very long Christmas lay-off, arriving at the Packet Office to find only a handful of stalwarts.  I should have realised it was the day after KK’s party!  Anyway, it was a perfect morning – surprisingly mild and just about wall-to-wall blue sky.  £5 Jim suggested Marazion with all in agreement.

We followed the usual way via Lamanva, Halvarsehole and Stithy lake, then ‘over the top’ and eventually a regroup at Black Rock.  Just before this we ‘lost’ Amanda, who wanted to take a shorter loop and back home. 
On the way to Black Rock Steve 2 spotted Ricci’s gang, who we chased them to Black Rock – passing a large group of Penzance Wheelers heading t’other way - before the regroup and the dive down to Praze.  Here Jim took a fancy to a carved figure from the gentleman wood-carver; although, where you would put a large wooden Meerkat on a bike is anyone’s guess!
Paul C and Shane were now to depart for Helston via Carnhell Green – I think? - and the remaining three of us dashed on the almost level but horribly-surfaced road to Leedstown and then down to St Erth.  By now DD’s legs were starting to turn to Jelly, but the thoughts of large bacon butties at Marazion just kept the momentum. 
Shock-Horror!  The bloody place was shut!  We quickly decided to carry on and ended up in Morrisons outside Penzance – and darned good it was: excellent and good-value breakfasts to be had.

We headed back through Marazion and towards Goldsithney – and DD was by now more LD (lame duck)!  I suggested they carried on and left me to crawl back in my own time, but they were having none of it!  So they suffered my snail’s pace through Godolphin Cross, Nancegollan and Porkellis; looking forward then to the delights of Carnkie Hill!  At Chez Jim we said ta-ta, and Steve and I dashed down the main road to part company at Treluswell.  Thanks Jim and Steve for waiting!  Riders:  Amanda, £5 Jim, Steve 2, Paul C, Shane and LD.   50+ miles.

...and then there were two.  Bernie and Jono were the only ones to turn up for the 10 o’clock ride, both thinking that the later ride would be more popular the day after the FW Grand Dinner Dance. They had a lovely sunny ride chatting all the way and stopping at Bissoe for coffee and a delicious slice of date cake. 32 miles.

Here's Laura's boy James (and of course grandson of proud grandparents Bernie and Liz) going for a ride at a mere 7 months old! He's loving it isn't he?