There you are, surfing eBay for various bits of bike going cheap and you come across the 'description' from a seller which completely re-writes the rules when it comes to being honest about a product. Yes, you can be too honest. Read on...

A leisurely ride to St. Ives on a sunny day - eleven riders wound their way through Budock and over the usual route to Rame, from there we went a different way through Porkellis to Nancegollan then on past Clowence to admire the Jaguar cars at Leedstown.
Through St. Erth and passed St. Uny church to the long climb up by Knills Monument before dropping down to St. Ives.

The café on Porthminster beach gave us much earned fuel, except for Helston Trevor whose order they forgot. The extra egg did not quite compensate for the wait.
All the sensible people walked up the little 'nip' from the beach others tried to ride up, the baguettes and bacon baps sat heavy on the saddle.   Back past the golf club to Hayle where a few fancied North Cliffs and the rest of us took the well pedalled way through Barripper and Troon to another split at Penmarth where some gave in to the coffee and cake at the Watersports Centre. The rest of us continued on towards Falmouth. A relaxed chatty ride of 55miles. Jim

A reminder to all members, our club's Annual Beach Barbecue is on Friday 25th May, from 5.30pm on Swanpool Beach. Darren and Tony will set up BBQ as before, just bring your food to cook.

There was a good turn out today, which split in to four groups. The long ride went to Lands End, intermediate to North Cliffs and the "Strollers" to Perranporth.
The short ride did their own thing! It was the usual route up to Treluswell, then via Bissoe, Chacewater, Blackwater and Mithian Downs. As Bob Jenkin was excelling himself, I thought we should slow him down a bit by going down to St. Agnes and then Blue Hills.

After crossing part of the airfield, there was a nice run down in to Perranporth. Unfortunately our favourite waitress was not working today! We all watched, amazed, as Bob got stuck into a big breakfast.
Back up the valley, we crossed the A3075 down to Callestick and then climbed up to cross the A30 to Alletand then to Shortlanesend. Here we turned right down the valley to Bocola, crossing the river at New Mills and then in to Truro under the viaduct. After passing Tesco, we went onto the bike track and so to Callenick. Going up to Playing Place seemed like a long drag, but it was an easier ride through Point and Devoran. The homeward stretch was along the main road and via Hangmans Hill. Don M

I would like to record my thanks for a marvellous day out on Sunday 6th May courtesy of the Falmouth Wheelers.  I was staying locally and was encouraged by their website to turn up for their nine o'clock ride and would encourage any other holidaymakers to do likewise. About 30 riders turned up to choose between the  three distances available at nine o'clock ( and another short ride at 10 o'clock). I decided to choose the long ride to make the most my time in Cornwall, decision I did not regret.

The group that seemed to vary mysteriously in size between about 10 and 14 set off to show me that a Cornish mile is like no other and that the stupendous views which are available in the county have to be earned the hard way. I am used to cruising along the Lincolnshire lanes in the middle of the pack of 12 riders with minimal effort so was not prepared for the “fun” of a Cornish day out.

On the plus side, unlike my normal ride, we were treated to 2 tea stops and an excellent lunch stop (I had only taken a fiver so thanks to Kath for your generosity).

Lands End was apparently the target reached by visiting several beautiful beaches on South Coast and balanced up by a visit to  Hells Mouth on the north coast to get a full flavour of the local area.

A slightly circuitous route home seems to have given a total of 95 miles ridden. Having set out for my rented weekend accommodation at 8.45 my wife was somewhat amazed to see me alive, grinning from ear to ear but a physical wreck returning home at 6:15 pm. Thanks again to all for making me so welcome. Jim Sutherland

(For pictures of the ride taken by Jim) click here...>

and from Kath - Well, what a superb day out... With Clive away up country and no time contraints I opted to ride the advertised Lands End Ride set by Robin and Simon.
 
14 of us set off from HQ with a visitor from Sheffield called Jim who was staying at Port Navas, he too fancied a ride to Lands End and what a fantastic ride for a visitor.  3 coffee/lunch stops is becoming a regular thing it seems as we stopped on the way down at Marazion, lunch at the lovely Apple Tree cafe and a quick cuppa at Hells Mouth cafe on the way back, oh and not forgetting the boys stop at Longdowns for a welcome pint.
 
The route down basically was Constantine, which was a nice route to Gweek and then we wiggled a very scenic route to Marazion where we met Richard 1 at the coffee stop who had made his own way there.
 
It was then a push on to Lands End where visitor Jim took some photos (click here).  We met 3 men in their 70's who had just finished the end to end, they were going back to Penzance for some serious celebrating. After a very pleasant lunch stop, though Robin was regretting eating his pudding of Rhubard crumble with clotted cream after a few miles, we set off for home.
 
Hells Mouth cafe was voted the best place for our next stop so of we went with a promise of not so many hills which was proving true for many miles and again it was super riding with good weather. It was either my legs or the introduction of a few hills but I was finding it a little bit of a struggle though everyone was very good at waiting at the top of the hills.
 
With a little bit of renewed energy and the smell of home we had a good run home where I opted for a hot bath instead of a pint in the pub. Deans GPS was reading 85 miles at Union corner. Again a good day out.' Kath

It was all my fault......

I texted Jono and Fred on Sat night saying 'Fancy riding on Sunday morning no matter what the weather?'  So that's why I found myself riding up Halvasso wet thru', cold and splashing through road rivers wondering why the hell I wasn't at home having a lazy Sunday and watching the Moto GP. Seeking refuge behind high hedges we headed over to the Greek church, across to Hamster Mill before making our way around to Burncoose, Cusgarne and the back route to Rickys whilst all the time collectively suffering with frozen hands.

As the only three cyclists there, service was quick, hot and highly appreciated. Leaving a warm welcoming teastop was hard but a route via Cadillac lane before hitting the main road up to Hangmans and home, warmed us through although the old FW adage of 'You never regret going' was severely tested today.  JB

Gale force winds, flooding, plummeting temperatures. All good reasons to go cycling this Sunday on north Cornwall’s rugged coast. I was due to ride with three St Austell wheelers in the Cornwall Tor sportive, but only Chris showed.
Ten minutes into the ride Chris declared he could no longer feel the levers to change gear and turned back. I soon joined two others and eventually we became five as we struggled into the insanely strong winds heading towards Tintagel. At the feed station we left one behind, then another took the shorter route and one was left on a hill. Then the quiet one at the back, who had never done any work, left me. I later passed him at a feed station and briefly became “leader on the road” but while stopping to do what I should have done at the feed station he passed me along with another rider and, running on empty, I was left on my own.
A hard day’s riding abut I feel chuffed just to have finished! Robin

Under darkening skies five us met Fred at HQ for his Wednesday evening pub ride. Whether it was the wet stuff falling out of the sky or the intimidating athletic forms that were before him, we never knew, but Fred decided to lead the ride in his car. It was a big ask, and though we were in tight peleton formation from the start we really couldn’t keep with the wicked pace he was setting and soon we were dropped.

At Lamanva, Adrian had decided he was wet enough and peeled off to dry his kit for the French trip. As it was now just Ian, the two Helston stalwarts and myself, we elected to head to Constantine and were soon in the warm embrace of the Queens Arms. Two pints and not many miles. Perfect. Sorry to let you down Fred. Robin

April agenda for Thursday is:

Item 1 :- Re-view of club activities over the last month (Club Audax, Sunday rides)
 
Item 2:- Report on planned events by the rides working group.
 
Item 3:- Progress report on forthcoming social events from the social working group.
 
Item 4:- Sunday rides planning.
 
Item 5:- Review of riders code of conduct.
 
Item 6:- Falmouth Council would like club members to review theirs plans for cycle lanes in Falmouth.
 
Item 7:- Any other club business (and then drinking...)

I think this must be a first for the wheelers, a ride organised a number of days previously! The ride in question, well researched by Robin and Simon, took us over to the Roseland. With a prompt start 6 of us sped off via the main roads to Devoran where we were joined by Martyn and Margaret on their tandem, and Richard1.

We leisurely made our way to the ferry crossing. It was a bit of a nervous voyage for me, after all it was the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, but no icebergs were sighted!  After the hill up from the ferry we split into two groups. Robin, Sue and the tandem taking a direct route to Mellinsey Mill, our first refuelling stop, the rest went for a blast down to St. Just in Roseland. Turning back on the main road towards Veryan we encountered a couple of problems. Simon had a puncture and Richard 2 decided to take an "alternative route", i.e. he got lost (he really should not be out without his carer).

Sue left us at Mellinsey to return home as she had to wash her hair or something. The remaining 8 set off for Mevagissey via Caerhays taking in some lovely lanes and challenging hills, especially if you are on a tandem. Robin and Simon have found a great watering hole in the centre of Mevagissey-- The Tastebuds cafe who probably serve the best flapjack in Cornwall. (See Gourmet Guide. Ed.)

Leaving Mevagissey we again divided into two with Simon, Richard 1 and myself riding a longer loop to Grampound and eventually back to meet the others at Philleigh (pub). Whilst chatting over a drink Richard 1 had a bit of a rant about the state of the English langauge used by the younger generation. I suggested he had issues he needed to deal with and wondered if he had ever thought about counselling. After only 1 pint we rode the short journey to the ferry. While waiting for it to return we enjoyed a game of hide and seek. For details ask Simon, the oldest child in the club! I didn't realise you could have so much fun in one day.

On returning to Devoran we went our separate ways except for Robin and I as we felt we needed to uphold club traditions and sup further beers at the Quay Inn. An interesting and well led ride of aprox. 65 miles. We really must explore the roads and lanes of the Roseland more. Ian