A tale of two rides


OGIL ride report 19th January 2022

It was a gloomy and slightly mizzly start to the day, although glimpses of blue sky gave the twelve assembled at TOP hope that we might have a dry ride. A consensus was reached relatively quickly that we should aim for Porthtowan. Paul and Simon however were determined to complete a 100km ride and so were going to head for Hayle, then along the north coast to perhaps meet us at Porthtowan before continuing to Perranporth. That was the plan anyway, and since neither of them seem to be on Strava I am none the wiser. Dean continued with his eerily successful strategy of taking short cuts so as not to delay us but still get to the destination before we do.

On the ride out we experienced a little light rain, but otherwise it remained dry. Which is more than can be said of the roads, which were wet and in places covered in mud and other debris. Good for business for Muc-Off (apart from the old-fashioned brigade using Fairy Liquid). We were vaguely led by Phil3 on a familiar route through Stithians, Bissoe and Twelveheads, enabling us to revert to auto-pilot and enjoy the scenery. This is in stark contrast to the previous week (see the non-existent ride report*, currently lost in cyberspace).

Refreshments were courtesy of the Blue Bar, and jolly fine they were too. The sun even deigned to come out, although we remained resolute in staying inside (it was a bit chilly, it being January and all).

Sunny Porthtowan
Enjoying the sun from the inside in the Blue Bar in Porthtowan

Paul and Simon arrived just as we were leaving to inherit our nicely warmed seats, but following a brief greeting we pressed on towards Scorrier, taking the usual route to Lanner Hill, Penhalvean and the causeway.

A nice day out in generally benevolent conditions. 70 km for me.

* A summary of the report is as follows: Ian causes perplexity and consternation by announcing that the route to Perranuthnoe will be out by the return route, and returning by the out route. This was more than enough to cause widespread confusion and much muttering under the breath. We proceeded via Praze and Leedstown, although this was too much for Phil3 who wandered off on a loop of his own before rejoining the peleton. We split into two (or possibly more?) groups. The lead group decided Perranuthnoe was not for them, and carried on to Marazion. Finding the Chapel Rock Cafe closed they panicked and rode back to Perranuthnoe to join the other group(s) at the Peppercorn Cafe (the Cabin being closed during their expansion programme). After refreshments we rode back to Goldsithney and then headed in the direction of Godolphin Cross. But Ian, the move-fast-and-break-it disrupter par excellence, declared that we were going the wrong way round Godolphin Hill. Fair enough, but when we got to Godolphin Cross, instead of turning left towards Nancegollan we carried straight on and then left to Carleen. Hearing the name of this innocuous hamlet prompted a spontaneous performance of a certain ditty that seemed to cause the singer (a generous description) some merriment.  I think hair envy may also be involved.

This little detour was apparently with the declared intention of minimising the hills, although I suspect that one man’s hill is another woman’s drag, and vice versa (!!? ed). With a sigh of relief we reached Nancegollan, only to take a right turn instead of going straight across, and then a left towards Prospidnick. Eventually we gained the relative security of Coverack Bridges. Although there was still an air of tension, we quickly settled down once it became obvious that the deviations were ended and we were going to follow the usual route home. Hoorah! Even with travelling down roads unknown I still only clocked up less than 79km.

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