An unpromising day dawned but a reasonable group gathered at Falmouth Packet offices,14 made it. We set off for the Lizard deciding to take the creek roads for a change.
At Mawnan Charlie left us to do his own thing nursing his dodgy knee. Bernie left us at the bottom of Constantine shortly followed by Amanda and Richard 1. So the remaining 11 continued to Gweek and thus to Kuggar ending up in Pete's cafe at the Lizard. Here we met Robin who had cycled to St Austell to meet some St Austell Wheelers who then rode to The Lizard purely by coincidence. Robin then stayed with us as the other guys were returning back home. So, 12 of us returned home via Gweek. A nice ride on a gloomy day.  Tip of the week: Change your chain before it's too late. Fred.
(Robin informs the news desk that the St Austell Wheelers were all horified to witness the FWs tuck in to fry-ups mid-ride. That's why they're SWs and we're FWs. Ed.)   

Helston Trevor’s ride was a brilliant success but sadly enjoyed by just four of us, Wayne and Raymond also from Helston, Trevor and myself. Initially I wasn’t going as I was just recovering from manflu but I had a text from JB ( also recovering from the same male specific sickness ) enquiring if I would be going. It was New Years Eve and though the weather was miserable, I thought, why not!

Gill dropped me with my mountain bike at Longdowns giving me just an hour to get to Goldsithney where I joined the Helston Three for a pre-ride pint. It was cold sitting outside waiting, and with no others joining us ( I think JB had the really serious strain of manflu ) we headed off through Marazion and along the coastal track (ridden by Trevor that morning) to Penzance and then by road to Mousehole. The lights were a truly awesome spectacle, and the pint in the Ship Inn was most welcome. Already dark outside, it wasn’t long before we headed home, illuminated by Trevor's amazing new lights.

Along the small country lanes we enjoyed a thrilling ride the like of which I’ve not experienced before. In next to no time we were in Helston where, rumour has it, Trevor and I slipped into the Blue Anchor for a pint. Not true - we had three! It was New Years Eve and we are Falmouth Wheelers! And for those that are counting Gill came to pick me up! Hic. Robin

Here's a picture of the truly fantastic cake that Candy House Celebration Cakes (c/o Denise and Jo) made for our Christmas party raffle and caused Jim and Jan to gain a few extra pounds over Christmas. Many thanks Denise and Jo for your (annual) generosity. Best ever!!

After discussions with Rob @ Tremough, spinning classes for 2012 will start on Wednesday 11th of January at the same alloted time slots as last year.

Ten sessions will take us up Wed 14th of March, just before the clocks go forward and only 14 days before we start Wednesday evening club rides on the 28th.

Cost will be the same - £37.50.

Click here to see how to get the ladies spinning...

We have yet another world champion cyclist. Click here to see Danny Hart complete a truly amazing downhill run and listen to the most hysterical and funny commentating you'll ever hear ending with an extraordinary exclamation about Danny's wedding tackle! My favourite bit is when the commentator screams "Ron! I'm going to give you a high five!" Ed.

Our December meeting and christmas party takes place on Thursday 15th December at HQ. See or talk to Carolyn regarding what food to bring. The Golden Spoke organising committee has decided to give the awards a rest this year (mainly because we're to busy,tired, can't be asked.....).Dress code – no lycra! Hope you can make it.

Christmas ride is planned for Sunday 18th December. Rides leave at 9.00 and 10.00 and aim to meet at the Star Inn at midday. Beer, Roasties and local sausages will be available. If the weathers bad come by car and change into your lycra in the car par (Kath that's a joke ok....). 

And of course Boxing day ride - Monday December 26th @ 10.00 am  

I looked out of the window and it was ‘orrible!  Some Wheelers had agreed to meet at Treluswell at 9 o’clock for the short ride to the start at Carharrack, so I waited in Ponsanooth: a minute or two passed and down came Dale, Kath and Ian; so we headed to the start at the Mills Hall – arriving already pretty wet!
Considering the weather there was an excellent turnout, and this included (if my count was correct) twenty one Wheelers!  A lot of tea was consumed before the off was supervised by Peter Hansen: Dale, Ian, Richard 2 and myself were soon into the back lanes through Vogue and the outskirts of Redruth passing St Euny church.  A few other riders joined us for a while, or we joined them – which ever it was.  We headed onwards and frequently up and down via a maze of not-always-familiar lanes through Carnkie and Beacon; eventually going through Ramsgate (Ian thought he was suddenly in Kent!) and then into familiar territory – Barripper.  In spite of Ian’s apparent confusion, he seemed to know where he was going – we just followed!
It was now an undulating whiz via Carnhell Green and Fraddam to an information control at Bunker’s Hill; and how far to St Erth Praze from there?

The other question was about 5 & 6 bar gates: it is amazing the trivia discussed on a ride!  We were soon through Townsend, Godolphin Cross and Carleen when another turning was almost missed: how could Wheelers miss the turning to Sithney?  Is this a first - passing through Sithney without calling on Gill and Trevor?  Anyway, we all called out as we passed the Handy Shop!  We were soon at the next control at Penventon Farm. What a wonderful interlude: an amazing spread of food – including what has to be the finest ever ‘Heavy Cake’!  There was tea a-plenty and served in fine bone china!  The temptation here was to stay longer!  However, there was a ride to complete and many climbs ahead, so off we went – passing many more riders heading for tea!

A very big thank you from everyone to the ladies and gentlemen at Penventon Farm – wonderful!

The final stage was a back-track through Sithney – another wave to Gill and Trevor – and down through Lowertown and up through Releath, then more up and up to Block Rock for a breather.  This was followed by a pretty quick dash along the high ground and through Four Lanes, before a right and back towards Lanner and a fast downhill to Caharrack – and the welcome cream bun and mulled wine.  I am sure Wheelers will agree this was an excellent day out on the bike: as someone once said – ‘you never regret etc…..’   Especially so after such a soggy start, although on the way round it stayed generally OK.  As I said, a great Wheelers’ turnout of 21!  Thanks Ed for a real corker – really one for the record! Dan Dare
(Many thanks for the ride report Dan Dare. It's still a  bit long for the website but it was so enthusiastic I didn't have the heart to edit it! Ed.)

Parky has sent us this video link of 3 year old Finlay Shand off-roading. Amazing stuff. (Unfortunately you will have to watch a commercial first before the Finlay video appears.)

A very mixed bunch of 9 o'clock Wheelers headed by Freds' Flyers and followed by Don's Disciples headed into a cold north wind to Gweek and the shelter of Trelowarren. The sun came out and prompted the scenic route from there to St. Anthony and Gillan, the tide was out but still a stunning ride alongside the creeks.
The climb out takes away some of the glamour but everyone must have enjoyed it as they opted to go down to Porthallow for another dose. On to Roskilly's for coffee and the added entertainment of watching Shane tackle TWO slabs of fruit tart. In order to burn off the calories gained, Don suggested a detour down to Coverack, the riders who knew the road groaned before the climb, the ones who didn't, groaned afterwards.
The northerly wind made the ride across Goonhilly very hard so the regrouping in the warm sunshine in Gweek gave a welcome rest before the well known plod up 'Middle Hill'. The group split near Seworgan with the Falmouth section heading back via Eathorne ( they had the extra bonus of another fine hill!) while Ian, Richard 1 and I carried on up to Edgecombe and home.
A sociable ride of 47miles with a good sprinkling of Don's 'character building' hills. Jim

The plan was to go for a quick short ride but it was such a nice sunny day we went a bit further than planned.
Smokey Joe’s was the agreed refreshment stop but just a few miles in we realised that we only had a fiver between three of us so imagine our unbridled joy when over the brow of Carnkie hill we encountered Admiral, Bernie and Micky. After hearing of our financial predicament Admiral immediately lent Clare a fiver so with joy in our hearts we continued on our way crossing the ‘County Divide’ at the top of Lanner, riding along Sandy Lane and down to Scorrier, Blackwater and the most famous café in Cornwall for tea and bacon butties. A lovely ride on a lovely day and grateful thanks to Admiral (I'm sure Clare will return the favour at your earliest convenience). Here’s the 30 mile route. Simon, Clare, Jono