Although the forecast was for some rain, apart from a few early drops the conditions looked benign enough as a select few (three) assembled at Union Corner. When we reached the other place, the few seemed even more select as the place was deserted. Did we have the right day? we wondered. But we were saved by the slow dribble of other riders arriving, busily removing an alarming number of layers in response to the slightly higher temperature than anticipated. Our number had now doubled, and we embarked on the always difficult task of settling on a destination. With one eye on the forecast, a shortish ride seemed to be favoured by everyone. Having listened to Kath waxing lyrical about the Bluebell Nursery cafe near Praze it was no contest, and the fact that both Dean and Fred were not there to impose the 11 o’clock cafe rule, we set off up the hill to Halvasso to collect Jan.
A fairly uneventful and not too strenuous ride found us fetching up at the Bluebell Nursery at the very un-OGILish time of a few minutes past 10.15! Undeterred, we commandeered two tables and indulged in our usual mix of egg preparations and sweet options. Those who considered the stop just a little too close to breakfast and opted for the light option had to struggle with a double serving of toasted tea cake – but all of them (that is, both of them) faced the task with aplomb and demolished the plateful without a murmur. Topics of conversation included the upcoming quiz night, spinning and the not unrelated question of the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining a high cadence. The general conclusion was that the optimum cadence was somewhere between 30 and 140 rpm depending on the rider’s build and disposition, and the gradient of the road (not a factor when spinning, apparently).
As we supped our beverages we congratulated ourselves on reaching the cafe before the rain started, which for a time looked alarmingly heavy as it beat on the window, but fortunately it had stopped by the time our hour-long stop came to and end and we set off for Troon and home. A quick discussion at the main road had few demurring from the suggestion that we take a very slightly longer route through Four Lanes to avoid retracing our steps (wheel tracks?) through Carnmenellis etc. So Penhalvean and Stithians it was, then the normal way home via Halvasso.
A relatively short but convivial ride, with hardly a drop of rain to mar the experience, despite the forecast. Half an hour after arriving home (at 12.50 would you believe it!) the wind got up and the heavens opened, and we were treated to a near-biblical weather event (at least in Falmouth) that would have left us probably drowned or blown away if we had still been out. Never in living memory has a short ride strategy been so comprehensively vindicated.
Just a tad under 57 pretty much dry km for me.