We passed Amanda, carefully ascending the Carnon Downs bypass. Her understanding of a Club Pathfinder was, perhaps, different to mine, as I hear that on reaching Indian Queens she turned for home again. My experience of cycling over to Indian Queens with Robin, Ian and Phil Minor to the start of a Pathfinder, in fact I think it was the last pathfinder I attended, was sufficient for me to accept a lift from Fred. “It will be fine”, he said “its fairly flat, a couple of little hills at the start and a long gradual rise. You’ll manage”. It seems he last rode the route with Don Gunner some/many years ago. Either his memory, or his sense of humour has been affected by the passage of time.
The start of the ride was actually at Woods Cafe in Cardinham Woods but as Pathfinders are by definition, “gentle, shortish rides suitable for members of all abilities” we, like many members, chose to park up at GnomeWorld and cycle the 13 extra miles over to Cardinham. The fact that it was £6 to park there might have influenced some members too. Fred and I were early so had time to call in at the “Cornwall Services” for a dry croissant and a coffee/tea and were joined by Ian a short while later. There were a good number already at the car park when we arrived at Cardinham and a steady stream of members rolled in, 22 in total. It was a cold morning so I was glad when Fred called us to order. “The Hills were alive”, but not to the sound of music, although we had a welcoming peel of bells as we swooped down into St Neot, No, it was more a general grumbling, and huffing and puffing, there might even have been a bit of “f” ing and blinding, as we tackled the roller coaster that Fred had mapped out for us. Fortunately Mr Garmin kept a check on my progress, although, as Colin pointed out, his Mr Garmin kept thinking he had stopped and bleeped to remind him to put his foot down. The second leg of the triangular route had us tracking the course of the Fowey River, a very pleasant long steady rise which was almost enough to make some of us forget the earlier climbs, almost. This meant that we approached Jamaica Inn from the less usual Southerly direction and Fred had ensured that not only were we expected but we were escorted through to the back restaurant area. An efficient table service ensured that all were well fed and watered, though there was some differences of opinion about the quality of the food. The Jamaica Ale was good.
Before starting back the customary group photo was taken, though I have not seen it. There was a bit of a head wind but we were met with spectacular open views across Colliford Lake. I thought for a moment that we were going back to St Neot but a right turn brought us back towards Bodmin and, with a last minute deviation proposed by Fred, to Cardinham. Those heading back to Indian Queens parted company from those climate change denialists, or more affluent, (is there a difference?) who were parked in the Wood’s car park. Fred and I got back and had loaded the bikes just in time to miss the rain. Thanks for the lift, Fred, and for a ride to remember. 56 miles for me. There was some disagreement about just how much elevation we had experienced but all agreed that it was enough.
Photo by Sarah.