The gods smiled on us

When we set out it was gloomy and a bit misty, but any worries about getting caught in the rain were instantly dispelled by the arrival at the other place of Ian, our official anti-precipitation mascot. This meant that not only could we keep our rain capes neatly folded in our back pockets, but also that we would be guaranteed an interesting and sometimes uncharted route to our destination, wherever that might be. Suggestions of Miss Molly’s were not contested, and we set off in our normal bedraggled and ill-disciplined manner up the hill to Halvasso to pick up Jan at Crane, bringing our number to a respectable ten.

As it was not tipping it down (thanks to Ian), which is the normal state of affairs when we head to Miss Molly’s, various ingenious devices were employed to lengthen the route. So, the usual direct Bolenowe route was forsaken in favour of a somewhat circuitous ‘Audax’ route via Barripper and Penponds. A pleasant enough ride, marred only by the driver of a pickup truck who declined to be calmed by a traffic calming road width restriction and tried to run Ian off the road (why is it always Ian?). At least Ian got the opportunity to inspect the truck’s paintwork at uncomfortably close quarters. En route we said goodbye to Dean who had to get back so that he could go out again. A ride through the northern suburbs of Camborne brought us safely to Miss Molly’s, where we were met by Trevarno Dave. I am still unsure whether this was by chance or design, but this meeting fortuitously restored our number to ten. We enjoyed the normal mix of toast, marmalade and eggs, washed down with coffee and tea. Although the conversation was scintillating as usual, we still found time to amuse ourselves by dressing up a sculpture which we took to be the Greek god of cycling.

Even though we still had Ian with us, the weather crystal balls were threatening rain after lunch, so we were keen not to waste time getting back. We agreed to go the ‘usual’ route home via Carn Brea Village, Carnkie, Four Lanes, Penhalvean and Stithians. We deviated though and took the longer route from Stithians to Longdowns, although there was momentary confusion when some wag propagated the fake news that a mutinous group had broken away and taken the shorter route. Order was restored when everyone remaining (various individuals having already peeled off to go home, of all things) reappeared at the main road junction, and we set off home more or less together. We got home with only a hint of drizzle to dampen our spirits, with a respectable 67km under the belt (for me anyway).

Photo credit: PhilC

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