‘It seemed like a plan…..”
At coffee last Wednesday six or seven of the nine Ogils hatched a plan to ride the One and All charity ride raising money for Exploring Global Health Opportunities starting at Stithians Lake Cafe.
It was cold and wet when I set off at 8am to meet Andrew by Mawnan PO, but I was pleased and surprised to see that around 20 Falmouth Wheelers had also made the effort, choosing either the 11, 24, 38 or 66 mile route.
Andrew, Paul, Dean, Danny, Mike C rode together and entered the 66 miler. The route 
took us back to Penmarth, through Porkellis, across the A394 and down to Gweek. Up the slow hill to Culdrose we pedalled, along the cycle path and the fast descent to Helston Boating Lake for a comfort break. We took the road through the Penrose Estate along the coast road into Porthleven for our first stop at Harbour View Cafe. The Porthleven Food and Music Festival was just getting underway for the day but coffee and cake were just too tempting. I was still cold and wet, but now shivering, when we sat down. The break was very welcome and the rain had stopped as we set off again.
Suitably refreshed we rode up the long hill to Ashton, passing Boscrege, Millpool and Goldsithney on the way to Marazion and St Michael’s Mount.
We took the cycleway under the A394 stopping at the St Erth feed station for another coffee and various refreshments. We met a smiling Georgie who noticed our FW tops and introduced herself. We invited her to join us on an OGIL ride and sure enough she came on Wednesday to Portreath with us.
The route took us through Hayle, past Copperhouse Pool and Gwithian, to climb the long rise to North Cliffs and the descent into Portreath.
As we turned left at Cambrose Danny and Paul left us to return to Stithians and soon after Mike had the only puncture of the day. It was quickly fixed a
nd we continued on to Porthtowan. Dean and Mike continued as they were keen to complete the ride without another stop, but Andrew and I really needed some food so we had lunch at the Porthtowan Beach Cafe.
Although my fitness is slowly improving, the cold and wet had got to me and I really struggled on the way back to Stithians Lake. Everyone else had finished (presumably) and the organisers had gone home so we returned home vis Stithians village and Longdowns.
The plan was hatched, partaken and completed. 90.6 miles for me (my first 90), a few lessons learnt- keep warm, stay dry and make shorter stops.
A great day’s cycling with a nice bunch of guys.
Now it’s off to Majorca , hopefully a bit warmer and sunnier!
Phil S