Crash, Splash and a Dash

Weather forecasts eh, not worth a jot!

Six intrepids gathered at UC. There would have been more but for a handful of dissenters with valid alternative arrangements (or maybe they’d taken note of the forecast, wisely!)
Attendees included Amy who arrived debating the merit of wearing two pairs of socks and whether they should be tucked inside or worn outside the leggings. There were several helpful hints but the fact that she was wearing two pairs at all gives you an idea of potential climatic conditions. John arrived in full arctic apparel whereas the rest took a more optimistic approach with exposed legs and skimpy showerproof tops, but Kath clearly knew that something was afoot, carrying a rucksack and muttering something about having to go to Truro.
Anyway, TOP was the usual initial destination, but we hadn’t gone far (Argal crossroads) before the rear of the peloton (Amy, Dean and Steve) hit traffic, or was hit by traffic, the author missing the incident so handing over to Dean to fill in the painful details!
Arriving at TOP and awaiting the rest of the gang it was clear something was amiss, and hearing that an ambulance might be required but that Dean and Steve were in attendance, we selfishly decided to press on, Portreath the destination.
Everything progressed swimmingly (as it were) until we approached Boleknowe when there was a slight split in Tom Tom instructions, 5 going one way and 4 another, although Mike decided he’d had enough of the lack of cohesion and went his own way, sorry Mike I’ll make up for it next time!! Moving on, morale remained high and the sun was shining, somewhere!, but not just outside Troon. The 10% chance of a light shower (according to the met office) might have applied last week but was at odds with the hail shower and torrential rain that forced us to hide under the trees. After admiring the fresh spring foliage of Treslothan woods, and sensing that the shower was passing we moved off but the weather gods noted our optimism and opened the rain gates full bore.
We pushed on past Ramsgate and Barripper to Penponds, at which point Kath’s plan became clear, announcing her intention to divert to Camborne and catch a train to Truro, brave indeed! I’m not sure that Great Western operate in such weather conditions!
Demoralised by the ever decreasing team numbers we pressed on through Rosewarne and past Tehidy to Portreath, to the Hub, where Fred, Phil S and Simon sat smugly, if somewhat soggy, under an umbrella, not for the sunshine you understand! They had taken a similar route but not stopped for shelter.
Damien, Jan, John and I tried to squeeze together with the others whilst trying to conform to social distancing but somehow the desire for shared body warmth won through but didn’t stop the ground tremors caused by our shivering. (Side note here : I had a caramel muffin and it was gopping (sic), please don’t try for yourself!)
The coffee stop was unusually short and perfunctory and there was no debate about the route home, selected to be direct and quick as possible. Average speed was upped to try to generate body warmth and conversation was clipped. Simon and Jan split off at Lanner with nary a rearward glance while the remainder ploughed on to Stithians where again Tom Tom was undecided by sending Phil and John one way and the rest the other. Hey ho.
After a hot shower even this ride had been worth the effort, and will be even better after a beer.
41 miles
Paul

(Amy was shaky afterwards but Steve rode home to collect his car to take her and bike home after paramedic, Gill, had finished with her. I am sure she will feel much better after reading this report. I will leave her to recall the details when she is out with us again. Ed)

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