The Pathfinder Ride from Chapel Amble, July 15th

 

Seventeen riders, including a guest from One and All, joined Simon’s Pathfinder from Chapel Amble, north of Wadebridge on Sunday, with five of us driving up and meeting in the village, ten driving part-way and cycling the rest, and two (Robin and Raymond!) doing the whole round trip, which must have been well over 100 miles.
The 25 mile route took us north west, through St Minver and up to Portquin, a tiny and very picturesque cove where we stopped for coffee at the ‘Salt Pig’, the elderly slate-blue corrugated Citroen van which has been seen on Castle Drive in Falmouth in the past. Ben was struggling with a rear puncture that seemed to resist being fixed, but help was on hand and eventually it was sorted.
Before leaving we assembled for a group photo overlooking the cove.  From Portquin it was just over a mile to join the busy B3314 where we tried to cycle in smaller groups and keep up a good pace. This was definitely the fastest Pathfinder I ever remember, with plenty of hills to slow down what would have been an impressive average speed.  No e-bikes this time, but if they had come they would have used a fair bit of power on the hills…
A right turn in St.Teath (‘Teth’ not ‘Teeth’!) led us SW through the village of Trelill and then to St. Kew, where the sight of a very busy pub had us thinking that it was our lunch stop, but no! nearly four miles of climbing in the midday heat took us south to St. Mabyn, and the St. Maybn Inn, where we enjoyed very welcome cold drinks and a variety of sandwiches, served by the friendly staff.  Eventually we tore our selves away, separating after a mile or so, with the cycling-home group heading for the A389 and the rest of us diving down a narrow lane, crossing the tiny bridge over the River Allen, and returning to our cars at Chapel Amble.  A wonderful day out in a different part of Cornwall, with stunning views. Thanks again to Simon for organising it.
  Liz
(More photos here.)

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