Devon TRF Group Forum

Great day out on the bikes today around Cornwall (with a thanks going out to a friend as he led me on this route back in February)

Today was a lovely dry day unlike back in Feb when it was wet and rather miserable.

We set off from Saltash services shortly after 9am already a man down. Russell Bentley was planned to join us but an incident at work on Friday involving a nail gun resulted in a hand that wasn't fit for riding.  Sorry we missed you Russ and get well soon.

Our first little issue came on the dead-end lane in Lydcott Woods. A rather large tree blocking our way. Good job it was a dead end lane meaning we didn't have to detour. A quick turnaround and we were on our way.

Bolventor Lane near Wringworthy presented a tricky mild climb up to the main road due to water erosion and all the gulleys. 

Passing through Duloe we headed towards Gitthill woods and the infamous Muchlarnick. Normally when we get to the river crossing and signpost the Muchlarnick lane no-one can be bothered with the challenge but Ricky said he'd give it a go and I was then offered up to take pictures, so off we went with me leading. My plan was to stop at a suitable spot but I was riding well and cleared the first tricky section so I continued,  and continued, and continued, until I did get stuck and after a fair bit of wheel spinning I gave up. I turned around to picture Ricky but he was stuck a ways further back and he then signalled to say he'd given up. I turned my bike around and we rode back to Nick and Andy. We continued on and did a small loop around Trefanny Hill then back through Duloe and then on towards the lane at Sandplace on the road into Looe. Back in Feb we had to turn around on this lane due to the rutt being too deep to ride due to water erosion and a mass of hedge cuttings that has been washed down the lane to form an impassable wall of wood. I led us into the lane with some caution and before long we were stopped at the same point as we were back in Feb. This time however the gulley was even deeper with the 4" plastic water pipe exposed at the root of the gulley. Wowzers. Leaving the bike I walked the short distance around the bend to see if the wall of wood had disappeared which it had so I attempted to ride on the off-chamber side of the gulley. Nick who was behind me did not seem impressed at me attempting this as I don't think he was keen to do it himself.  This was slightly precarious and only possible as the thin strip of ground was dry. This would have been impossible in the wet. I managed to clear the deep gulley up to a safe spot to park the bike and help the others. The obvious side to choose was the right as it was the wider side (slightly) but Andy decided to take the left and low and behold,  his rear wheel dropped into the deep gulley. With him straddling the bike and me straddling the gulley and lifting the rear of the bike we managed to get him up to safety with the rest of us. The final half of the lane also presented a nice challenge. 

Through Looe, then Tencreek then on to Talland Bay where a kind walker saw me taking picture of the bikes against the background of the beach and offered to take a pic with me in it. Thanks mate, nice one (I can't say the rest of the people in the vicinity were as pleased to see us. Noisy bikers spoiling their tranquility)

Down the hill into Polperro then up the other side of the valley to the lovely long lane at West Watergate. A short while later and after a few more lanes it was a lunch stop at Lerryn, perfect timing as it was noon. 

45mins later and pleasantly full after a dee-lish pasty and a fresh pain-au-raisin we were back on the bikes and crossed the river through the river - the stepping stones were visible and being used by the walkers so the river level was low enough to cross. A nice climb on the lane at Kingston then through the field and across the manicured lawn at the house at Botallick (never feels quite right this lane but hey ho, its legal and the owners know it and tbf they're okay about it, not NIMBY's. Nice). 

A quick splash and dash for fuel at East Taphouse - literally just as Andy switched to his reserve. Good timing! Then down through Trevellis wood. Being so dry this was passed with ease  ..... much trickier in the wet.

Approaching Dobwalls we decided to deviate from the route and ride the lane at Moorswater which usually has massive puddles, but fortunately today there were no submarine puddles ..... but it was still sloppy and muddy.

Onwards to Looe Mills lane and the water crossing at the far (northern) end. A little loop around St Cleer, back through Looe Mills lane then onwards to Liskard and the trixxy little lane at Ladye Park. Quite easy today as it was dry but the extent of autumn leaf litter made choosing your line a challenge. Andy confessed that after the sharp left he just continued to go left and started riding up the bank. Out of Liskard to the east and into the lane with the underpass we met a large group of ramblers as we exited the lane. I thought I was going to get a stern talking to as they seemed to close-off my exit path but then like Moses parting the sea a clear channel appeared and I was able to pass. I offered a polite and friendly word of "thanks" and all was good.

The final few lanes of the day as we continued to head east back towards Saltash and at the gate in the middle of the lane at Tregondale Farm Andy checked his rear tyre as he thought it was making more noise than normal on the last road section.  Well that would make sense ...... cos it was flat, that's why! A spoke had snapped at the hub end and obviously punctured the tube at the nipple end. Doh.  We were too close to home to faff about with swapping tubes and even if we had, no one had a pump (what good planning)! Good job he was running a Mitas CO2 Stoneking cos they're pretty hard tyres. Last lane of the day and to our surprise it had a new Bridalway sign at our exit end (nothing at the end we entered) Gunna have to check that out but as it was a legit council sign I guess the status of the lane has changed.

A short hop and we were back at the vans and then we proceeded to marvel at the towing trailer Andy had fashioned for his bike. He'd told us about this earlier but used the description of a 'box trailer' so I was expecting something enclosed, and also because I know he has a trailer like this, but what I saw was not what I expected! A tiny, low-sided trailer with a drop tail and a bike front wheel chock welded to the towing arm. WTF but give the man his due, it did the job perfectly.

We said our goodbyes and headed for home which was a short commute up the A38 for me.

103 miles door to door for me. As I got home to an empty house - wife and son at Argyle, daughter on a date with her boyfriend and pooch with the in laws - I took the opportunity to clean the bike (and the e-MTB after Fridays outing)