I had been planning this route ever since Trevor had drawn up the new runs list but 42 miles seemed a little bit long for this time of the year. However, what with the sparseness of watering holes and the desire to fit in the quieter lanes I did not feel that I could justify cutting it shorter. At this time of the year the weather is far from guaranteed so I waited with baited breath for the forecast. Sunday, it seemed, was going to be colder of late yet dry. However, although I had got Graham John and John O'Rourke interested Les and Larry sent their apologies I was hoping for more than the usual three. J O'R pulled out just as I was about to leave for Callington, which, incidentally, is a very convenient starting place. It was nice to see Graham J. after so long but, unfortunately, he had decided that there could be ice about and it would be too risky. Anyway Paul Bunce arrived so there were four of us .Myself, Trevor, Graham B. & Paul.
I decided to forego Florence Lane with its chevron and opted for the main road up to Kelly Bray and, rather gingerly, set about the narrow lanes through Stoke Climsland, Beal's Mill, Rezare and Lawhitten. There was some ground frost in shaded areas and also lots of surface water so we had to be especially vigilant. We arrived at Tesco safely with the worst of the weather behind us. Still, it was nice to be able to sit in the warm to drink our coffees.
After discussing our proposed exit from Launceston Paul led us on an interesting sojourn around the
town which included a little known cycle path, a glimpse of his old boarding school as well as the wonderful
churchyard with a view to the upper reaches of the Tamar Valley! Then it was the descent to the suburb of Newport and up, probably, the hardest climb of the day to St.Stephen's Church and into the network of tiny lanes that crisscross this little known part of NE Cornwall. Actually, the first 2 miles was rather busy with, what seemed to be an unusual amount of traffic for an unclassified road. We were soon cycling along lanes with grass beginning to appear in the centre and through tiny hamlets with unfamiliar sounding names - Langore, Cargentle and Hellescott before arriving at the larger village of North Petherwin. from here we entered a lane with no signpost and were rewarded with not one vehicle within a 5 mile stretch - that is until we turned into Carnworthy Water which was our turn back towards Callington.
The next few miles were more familiar through Splat and Three Hammers( my route from Crackington Haven and Larry's from Tintagel). Then more narrower lanes and along the A395 for a mile ( time was getting on ) and then through Trewen to Polyphant. After negotiating the busy A30 we climbed up to Lewannick for our pre-planned drink at the excellent Archer Arms. As it was getting late Paul decided to head straight back along the B road before dark. With hindsight Trev, Graham and I should have foregone the pub also but we did spend a pleasant half hour!
Well, it was still light when we unlocked our bikes after some nice beer, curtesy of Graham B., but nightfall fell quite quickly after Bray Shop so we rode the last 4 miles or so in the dark. Graham and Trevor were well lit up but I am afraid that I had forgotten mine which was unforgivable.
Thanks you two for covering me so excellently! It was a good day out but perhaps a bit too long.
Dave
I decided to forego Florence Lane with its chevron and opted for the main road up to Kelly Bray and, rather gingerly, set about the narrow lanes through Stoke Climsland, Beal's Mill, Rezare and Lawhitten. There was some ground frost in shaded areas and also lots of surface water so we had to be especially vigilant. We arrived at Tesco safely with the worst of the weather behind us. Still, it was nice to be able to sit in the warm to drink our coffees.
After discussing our proposed exit from Launceston Paul led us on an interesting sojourn around the
town which included a little known cycle path, a glimpse of his old boarding school as well as the wonderful
churchyard with a view to the upper reaches of the Tamar Valley! Then it was the descent to the suburb of Newport and up, probably, the hardest climb of the day to St.Stephen's Church and into the network of tiny lanes that crisscross this little known part of NE Cornwall. Actually, the first 2 miles was rather busy with, what seemed to be an unusual amount of traffic for an unclassified road. We were soon cycling along lanes with grass beginning to appear in the centre and through tiny hamlets with unfamiliar sounding names - Langore, Cargentle and Hellescott before arriving at the larger village of North Petherwin. from here we entered a lane with no signpost and were rewarded with not one vehicle within a 5 mile stretch - that is until we turned into Carnworthy Water which was our turn back towards Callington.
The next few miles were more familiar through Splat and Three Hammers( my route from Crackington Haven and Larry's from Tintagel). Then more narrower lanes and along the A395 for a mile ( time was getting on ) and then through Trewen to Polyphant. After negotiating the busy A30 we climbed up to Lewannick for our pre-planned drink at the excellent Archer Arms. As it was getting late Paul decided to head straight back along the B road before dark. With hindsight Trev, Graham and I should have foregone the pub also but we did spend a pleasant half hour!
Well, it was still light when we unlocked our bikes after some nice beer, curtesy of Graham B., but nightfall fell quite quickly after Bray Shop so we rode the last 4 miles or so in the dark. Graham and Trevor were well lit up but I am afraid that I had forgotten mine which was unforgivable.
Thanks you two for covering me so excellently! It was a good day out but perhaps a bit too long.
Dave
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