Prior to my serious cycling accident 3 years ago I would get out with a group of guys and girls from my cycling Club, One & All Cycling on most Tuesdays making sure I worked a late shift if I happened to be working that day. I loved these rides as I was out with a great bunch of people with a similair interest, getting a half decent ride in that was both social and indeed on occasions very physical (depending on how hard we decided to push it!) whilst at the same time seeing some different parts of the fabulous county of Cornwall.
Since my accident I have just been unable to do the rides because just being on the bike was too painful around my upper back and neck. I have to say though that my friends would still come and visit me after my accident which was always really appreciated by myself. They don't really know how much I appreciated them to be honest.
I wanted to try to get out a few weeks ago but I knew my friends would just be too fit and fast for me. I decided therefore to wait until the end of the cycle racing season as I know the rides slow down and gradually build up again as the spring approaches. I was heartened with my rides in France as the pain had subsided and I can only put this down to being fitter through my running.
So, at 9 am, I met up with the guys at Union Corner in Falmouth and immediately the banter I had missed for three years started. The group this time included David the GP, Darren the Coastguard Helicopter Pilot, Fiona, the Cycling Coach and myself before we later joined by another Dave.
It was a dry day but quite windy. The Tuesday ride generally follows the same route and thankfully, the pace was not too fast on this hilly course. My heart rate monitor decided not to work so I couldn't tell you how hard I was going but I certainly felt within myself. Riding from Falmouth, through the back roads to Treverva and then up and across and around the back of Stithians Lake before the long climb up and towards Redruth before hanging a left to pass through Carnkie (Redruth) and down through Pool and onto Portreath before travelling across North Cliffs to Gwithian where we stopped (as has been usual for the Tuesday ride for the past 4 years) at The Godrevy Beach Cafe (check out the virtual tour. I never get tired of the beauty around here and you can even see one of our club members in his kit sat outside!) for coffee and a cake. More excellent banter and then back onto the bikes, to cycle up through Gwithian to Connor Downs, past Trevaskis Farm (another great place for cakes!) and onto Praze-an-Beeble before the long climb up to Black Head and onto Porkellis and then Carnkie (Helston). Unusually, we have two Carnkies in Cornwall, just about 7 miles as the crow flies apart from each other. Our route for the last few miles retraces the start through Treverva back to Union Corner in Falmouth.
It was a great ride and I was delighted as despite a dull ache I was not suffering in any way with the pain that I have had before.
All in all, I had great fun in great company and the route can be found (in two parts as I didn't include the cafe stop) on my Endomondo link for 2nd October.
If anyone wants to join us for the ride then you can. The only rule is that you have to wear an approved cycle helmet. See you at Union Corner, Falmouth at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays! If I am not there, someone always will be.
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