One riders’ view of a sunny day trip Lamorna.
Could there be anything better than a sunny summer Sunday Wheelers GroupRide to Lamorna?
Dale,Robin and Steve thought not as they enjoyed crab on cheesy chips, fresh sardine salad and a cheese and spicy three bean toastie at a table overlooking overlooking the cove. It was tempting to join the bathers floating in the clear, cool water on the beach far below, another time maybe?
Meeting at H.Q. members of the cycling club discussed …bikes prompted by the gleaming riding choices from the collections of Adrian and Robin and Trevors’ pristine cogs .Marazion and Lamorna had been proposed as destinations so the rough plan was to head off in two groups and meet at a café in Marazion.
A tight formation of five fit riders on sparkling machines swept along at pace. An impressive sight and I know this as I could glimpse them from someway behind on my electric bike. Determined to eke out my battery I just about kept in touch using the uphill sections of the familiar Treverva, Halvasso, Carnkie, Porkellis highway. Meanwhile Ian was leading the second Wheelers group as they headed for the rendezvous.
A fast stretch to Farms common before taking the tight left turn to Black Rock at speed. Much squealing of brakes as two blokes dropped a very large metal roofing sheet across the lane. Just enough space to get by if you don’t mind nettles.Then off to the hairy descent from Black Rock to Praze which I accomplished at a rather sedate but more dignified pace. We crossed the main road and I found myself suddenly in the lead across the park. Yes it was time for the first of many comfort breaks.
The group were never quite out of sight through Leedstownand Townsend so to catch up I powered downhill into Relubbus totally forgetting the rumble strips that nearly ended my ride and quite a lot else.
So a caravan being towed slowly through Goldsithney meant the six of us arrived at Jordan’s Café ’in Longrock car park for the first café stop.
Well we did not meet up with the other Wheelers group and Phil, Phil and Adrian had plans so headed off. I had used my phone to interrogate my bike and it confessed to having 73% battery remaining so that gave me the confidence to continue to the next café stop in Mousehole.
The three of us took the coast road skirting the harbours of Penzance and Newlyn then nipping up and over into Mousehole. What next café stop? Robin and Dale streaked through and assaulted Raginnis Hill out of the village without pause. From the top just a few downhill miles remained to Lamorna where we bagged a table for that lazy lunch. (64% battery…I can get home!)
Return route was via Sheffield as far as Goldsithney then via the broken road of Millpool ( do I still have a back wheel? asked Dale)to Ashton and Porthleven. Not very direct you may think? Well it is if your last refreshment stop is in Helston. We finally met up with more Wheeler’s as Dean and Ian were already there. After a drink I left the company and still with 40% battery set out to cruise home
Except I didn’t as with lunch a distant memory, a glass of Peroni proved no preparation for the hill from Porkellis to Carnmenellis. Feeling shaky I sat at the roadside and ate the last of my emergency rations ( clue: over 7million are made every week) before being able to continue home.
A wonderful day out in great company. 74 miles for my ride, still 18% battery left and just the ‘eat – sleep’ part of the mantra left.
Steve Hills