The first Pathfinder of the new season was a great success with 16 riders turning up by
the famous bridge at Tresillian. Despite the overcast day and the chill wind from the north
it stayed dry and we stayed sheltered between the hedges and in the valleys. Robin was
leading the ride and had arranged brunch for us at the Roseland Inn in Philleigh but we
had to be there before their Sunday lunch customers arrived. So the start was 15 minutes
earlier than the usual Pathfinder start of 10am.
The route was a new one round the Roseland without the usual King Harry ferry crossing.
We climbed up from Tresillian past banks of primroses and daffodils up onto the plateau
and on through the Tregothnan estate (no Lord Falmouth in sight today) to St Michael
Penkivel. We hardly met another vehicle at all. It was so peaceful. There were some great
views across the valleys to fields of daffodils, slopes of felled timber and new tree
planting and then glimpses of swans through the rushes in the creek by Lamorran Chapel.
Sea level means hills follow, which they did, and then a couple of nice hairpin bends to
negotiate before reaching the Sett Bridge over the top end of the Fal. There was a quick
pause for photos while we watched a pair of Canada geese nearby. On through Ruan
Lanihorne to the hors category of the day climb. It was 19% and quite long! So chapeau
to all. Nobody got off and walked. Up another hill out of Tregisswyn and onto the flat
before an increasingly sharp descent into Portloe. Robin was keeping a close watch on
the time and reckoned we would not be late for brunch and so no short cuts were
needed. Were the Wheelers worried? Not at all! A few were feeling the hills accumulate a
little in the legs. On through Veryan and down to Pendower Beach for a little bit of
“roughstuff” across the beach (as they used to call it before mountain bikes arrived). After
another not bad climb from the beach and on through Treworthal we were in Philleigh in
the pub in front of a roaring fire. The digital preordering of breakfast was so sophisticated
and slick that hardly had we sat down than the food was in front of us. And very good it
was too. The pub did a great job. I’m not sure if I somehow snaffled someone else’s nonveggie breakfast in error but it was jolly tasty and it did get me home.
Well stoked up and feeling comfortably warmer we headed north through Trelonk down to
Ruan Lanihorne, over the bridge and then up round those same two hairpin bends that Jo
for one was dreading. In fact she sailed round them with seeming ease. Through
Lamorran Wood there were yet more banks of wild primroses. There was one exciting
moment of drama before we got back to Tresillian but suffice it to say alls well that ends
well.
Jo and Sarah deserve a special mention for refusing to be beaten by the accumulating
hills on the ride. And it goes without saying they were not riding sparkies. Those on the
ride were organiser Robin so thanks to him for a very successful and enjoyable day, Dale,
Phil 4, Simon, Mike, Jo, Sarah, Julian, John and chief sweeper Ian (the Chair), and on
sparkies Don, Phil 3, Liz, Dave, Paula and Tom.
Simon