July’s Pathfinder saw a welcome return of Adrian’s popular 2024 route, taking us from Traboe Crossroads to Fat Apples and back via Mawgan, St Martin, Newton, Carne and Porthallow. Judging by the smiles at the end, it was every bit as enjoyable the second time around.
With some Wheelers riding out from Falmouth, others joining from Mawgan and a few opting to drive to the start, twenty riders gathered at Traboe Cross for a quick briefing before the first group rolled away at 10:00. Four groups set off at five-minute intervals, immediately enjoying warm sunshine, a cooling easterly breeze and the promise of a few Cornish climbs to earn our coffee.
The first real test came with the climb to Gear Farm before the route wound its way through Manaccan and down to the beautiful lanes leading to St Anthony-in-Meneage. Although the estuary was at low tide rather than at its most picturesque, the shaded roads beneath the trees provided welcome relief from the sunshine and a chance to gather our thoughts before the next climb.
As always with Pathfinder rides, each group was responsible for finding its own way. Some relied on GPX files, others on local knowledge (or at least claimed to!), while plenty of good teamwork saw riders waiting at junctions to point the following groups in the right direction. It all worked perfectly… until the top of the climb out of Carne, when the Pathfinder leader’s Garmin decided to have a lie down and his memory joined in! Fortunately, with two groups together at the summit, a little collective wisdom quickly solved the problem and an alternative route via Tregarve was agreed, conveniently avoiding both Porthallow and the climb back up to Fat Apples. Funny how these things happen! 😊
Our hosts at Fat Apples looked after us brilliantly, keeping the breakfast menu running especially for the Wheelers and reserving plenty of tables beneath the marquee. Orders were taken in no time; food arrived quickly (well… almost all of them – poor KK! 😉), and the verdict was unanimous: excellent food, plenty of coffee and superb hospitality. As always, the conversation, laughter and good-natured banter were every bit as important as the food itself.
Eventually, someone remembered there was still a ride to finish. With just one final climb and around six miles back to Traboe Cross, nobody seemed in too much of a hurry. By reversing the order of the groups for the return leg, everyone arrived back at the car park at roughly the same time, making for a fitting end to another successful Pathfinder. After the usual congratulations, some riders headed straight home while others took the opportunity to extend the social side of the day with some well-earned liquid refreshment.
One of the strengths of the Pathfinder rides is that it brings members together to enjoy some of the best cycling Cornwall has to offer, and this ride certainly delivered. It was especially good to see KK back out riding again, and equally good to see Liz back on her road bike.
Many thanks to everyone who came along and made it such an enjoyable day – Danny.
