Update: 11th December 2015 9th DecemberRide - Bodminto Padstow and back Ten Riders took part including two from Liskeard and a lost cyclist trying to find the Wadebridge U3A, unfortunately she picked the wrong day for their ride. So in the spirit of the U3A we invited her to join us – what a friendly group we are.  Brian with lady from Wadebridge U3A ReachingPadstow for lunch, the more affluent members of the group dined atRick Steins Fish and Chip emporium– a full sit down job with a cupof tea. Suppose that’s one way to spend the winter fuel allowance. Others including myself enjoyed fish and chips from the common man’s chippie in the town, eating them alfresco sitting on a benchoverlooking the harbour. When we all met up for the return journey wediscovered that the Rick Stein diners paid no more than we did andthey said “they were delicious. Must remember that for next time!  (Click on image for larger view) Soback to Bodmin and it’s a strange thing but it always seems furtherand harder going back. Could be the extra weight of lunch that wewere all carrying . The weather was just perfect for cycling and weall had a smashing ride. I am pleased to say that Dave and Reuben arenow speaking to me after last months WET ride. Don’tforget folks if Santa brings you a bike - then please join us. Regards Brian ************************** Update: 27th November 2015 BIKE RIDE - Wednesday 9th December Bodmin to Wadebridge to Padstow on the Camel Trail As this will be the last ride of the year let’s have a good turn out! Meet 10.30 am at the Borough Arms Car Park, Bodmin or outside Lidl’s Wadebridge at 11.45 We will stop in Padstow for lunch – either bring your own or buy something in one of the many shops, cafes or pubs.
 There is a Council Pay Car Park at Lidl’s in Wadebridge or you can park for free on the road in to Wadebridge outside the park – if you can find a space. Alternatively some riders may start at the Borough Arms and cycle from Bodmin to Wadebridge and then on to Padstow, As ever if you could let me know if you will be on the ride and if you will be starting from Bodmin or Wadebridge. If you are unsure about parking locations just let me know. Brian *************************** Update: 18th November 2015 Cycling Group November Ride Report  Despite a decent forecast which was clearly wrong 'cos it rained. We were of the opinion that the group members who decided not to participate had some inside information regarding the weather.  But being keen or should it be stupid cyclists we decided to go ahead. It wasn't good for most of the ride but when we reached our lunch stop at Gnome World the clouds came down. The gnomes all went in doors to watch TV leaving us to eat our sandwiches in the rain - still at least we didn't have to share them. I don't know if we enjoyed it because the other two are not speaking to me yet.  Don't forget if you have a bike and transport then why not join us for the next ride - details to follow. ********************* Bike Ride on Wednesday 21st October Innis Downs to Goss Moor taking in the village of Belowda on the way back. 19 Miles or 8 miles if you just do the Goss Moor bit.  This ride takes us from Innis Downs roundabout down the old A30 to Victoria, continuing on this road under the iron railway bridge to Goss Moor. We will cycle the trail clockwise stopping at Gnomes World for our lunch – there is no facility to buy food or drink but we do have permission to use 2 picnic tables, provided that we don’t get too familiar with the gnomes. After lunch we will complete the trail and cycle on to the village of Belowda eventually joining the old A30 and back to Innis Downs. The ride is on roads with good stretches of cycle paths and the Goss Moor trail. Mostly flat but a few inclines on the return to Innis Downs. Meet at Innis Downs Roundabout 11am park up the slip road or the car park at Goss Moor at 11.45 As ever we are weather dependent. Please let me know if you will be on the ride and if you will be doing the 19 or 8 miles. Brian ******************** Update: 28th September 2015Cycling Group Rideon 23rd September This month’s ridestarted from St Neot Downs up from the Half Way House Inn on theGlynn Valley. Cycling towards Warleggan , across the moor toColliford Lake. Stopping for lunch and refreshment at the CollifordTavern. Passing grazing moorland ponies and a pair of swoopingBuzzards who seemed to be taking an interest in our activity. On thereturn leg we stopped at the Dam Wall to appreciate the size of thelake. I can report that we didn’t have any accidents today but onerider had a puncture and I have to congratulate him on the speed atwhich he carried out the repair. There were 10 of us on the rideincluding 3 from Liskeard and a special Guest Rider from Scotland –No! not Nicola Sturgeon, his name was Alex who I am sure will besinging the praises of Lostwithiel U3A when he returns north of theborder tomorrow. As ever here is apicture of the team at Colliford Tavern and this month I haveincluded one of the bikes as proof that we do have some.
(Click on above images for larger view) If you areconsidering cycling then please join us – details of the October tobe published later. Brian Update: 4th September 2015 BIKE RIDE – WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER St. NEOT DOWNS TO COLLIFORD LAKE This is not a long ride only 14 miles but the scenery is superb. The ride is on quiet roads with some hills, long but not too steep.  Colliford Lake Dam (photo credit Vicash) Meet at 11am. On the A38 from Bodmin (Glynn Valley) turn left at the Half Way House. Drive up a steep hill and keep going until you reach St Neot Downs. The Car Park is on the Right just before the cattle grid. The ride is on the road to the west of the lake. We will stop for lunch at The Lake Park (Coffee and food can be purchased or take your own). We will then return the way that we came stopping to look at the lake from the Dam Wall and then back to the car park. Could you please let me know if you will be coming on the ride. Thanks Brian Marriott 07530 507091 ********************* Update: 12th August 2015Cycling Group Ride 12th August. – Distance just over 20 miles as verified by Sue Sargent’s new trip Computer. The ride was a split start ride to the Snails Pace Café at Wenford Bridge which is the start of the Camel Trail. We were joined by some members of Caharrick, Liskeard and Saltash U3A groups. There were fifteen riders in all, with seven starting from the Premier Inn, Bodmin who very kindly allowed us to use their car park. From here the route took us to Blisland and over the moor to St. Breward up and down some seriously big hills but well worth the effort – as I kept telling the riders. “I think that this is the last hill. Oh sorry ! I forgot about this one” I kept saying. What a relief when we rounded the last bend down from Wenford to the sight of the café and the other eight riders who started out from The Borough Arms car park, Dunmere Road, Bodmin to rendezvous with us.  We had a nice lunch in lovely sunshine. I had a cream tea with a side portion of wasps showing great interest in my bowl of jam. After lunch all fifteen of us cycled back to Bodmin via the Camel Trail to our cars. I think I can safely say on behalf of all those who took part that it was a great ride. – but there may be some tired legs tonight. *************** Update: 25th July 2015 BikeRide Wednesday 12th August 2015 Bodmin,Blisland, St Breward and The Camel Trail A circular ride of 20Miles  Brian in secret training session for his Camel Trail expedition (© Thortuck - Wikimedia Commons - Creative Commons) A super ride on roads and the CamelTrail. We can park at the Premier Inn, Bodmin– next to ASDA. Cycle on quiet roads to Blisland. There is a verysteep hill going down and then up across the moor to St Breward. Then down to Wenford Bridge to the Snails Pace Café for lunch –you can buy food or bring your own After lunch it’s the Camel Trail toScarlets Well and back through Bodmin to our cars. This is a lovely ride which is mostlyflat but there are some steep hills both up and down – it’s wellworth the effort. Meet at Premier Inn Car Park (we havepermission to park) at 10.30 for 10.45 start - we should be at theSnail’s Pace Café by 12.30. For those who want a shorter ride of14 miles all flat - Meet at Scarlets Well car park at Bodmin at 11o’clock and cycle on the Camel Trail to Wenford Bridge (Snail’sPace Café). We can then all cycle back to Bodmin together. As ever if you could let me know if youwill be on the ride and if you will be doing 20 or 14 miles. Brian brianmarriott "AT" btconnect(dot)com 07530 507091 or 01208 872104 *************************** Update: 16th July 2015 Ride on Wednesday 15th July AN ELECTRIC AFFAIR This ride was on electric assisted bikes and we teamed up with U3A members from Liskeard and Caharrick. Meeting at Pensilva and cycling on the moor lanes to Trethevy Quoit and then on to Siblyback lake which we cycled around both ways, stopping for lunch in between. Leaving Siblyback via the service road next to the dam wall and on to Golitha Falls. Then to St Cleer, passing the Holy Well which most riders were going too fast to notice. Across the moor and back to our cars. What a good ride we had!  The group photograph was kindly taken by a community police officer who was on speed control duty on the moor road at the side of the car park. After he had taken the photograph he wished us to have a good ride and told us to watch our speed. We did notice that whilst he was taking the photograph he missed 3 cars possibly going a bit too fast. ******************** Update: 4th July 2015 BIKE RIDE – Wednesday 15th July 2015
IF YOU HAVE EVER THOUGHT OF TRYING AN ELECTRIC BIKE – NOW’S YOUR CHANCE
PENSILVA to SIBLYBACK, via Trethevy Quoit then back past Golitha Falls and on to ST CLEER and back to the car park
Meet at 10.30 for 10.45 start  After lunch we will cycle around the lake (possibly each way) and exit via the service road near the dam wall. Making our way towards Golitha Falls. From here we take the road to St Cleer and back to the car park. Brian ************************ CYCLING GROUP JUNE RIDE REPORT 17th June the group cycled Coast to Coast from Devoran to Portreath. The weather was perfect for cycling dry and not too hot. Some riders had a slight problem finding the car park at Devoran putting the blame firmly on my dubious directions – well I knew where it was!   So we got under way cycling along one of the most pleasant ways of crossing from Coast to Coast arriving at Portreath for lunch. Unfortunately the Café was closed but we did use their tables and seats to enjoy what we had brought with us. It was only as we were leaving that we discovered another Café located on the beach – so something to remember if we do the ride again. The ride back felt much easier and didn’t seem to take as long - perhaps we just wanted to get back before our legs seized up. ******************** Update: 29th May 2015 CYCLINGGROUP - NEXT RIDE ON WEDNESDAY 17th JUNE MININGTRAILS – DEVORAN TO PORTREATH Meetat Devoran Car Park 10.30 or BissoeCar Park 11.00 This a superEasy Ride – more or less all flat on good surface trails with a biton roads. 12Miles from Devoran to Portreath. - Lunch at Portreath – seats bythe sea for a picnic or Café and shops nearby. 9Miles from Bissoe to Portreath - Café and Toilets CarPark at Devoran Takethe A390 to Truro then the A39 to Playing Place and Carnon Downs.Continue on the A39 to the next roundabout. Take the first exit leftto Devoran at the junction you will see a big white gate.Turn right(this road bends to the left at which point you will turn rightagain. Continue across a bridge and the Mining Trail Free Car Park is100yds on the right. CarPark at Bissoe – for a slightly shorter ride. Asabove but when you get to theDevoranroundabouttakethe 3rdexit to Bissoe. Continue on this twisty road, pass under a viaduct. Amile further on the right you will see BISSOE BIKE HIRE and a FreeCar Park. FromLostwithiel to Devoran took me just over an hour. FromLostwithiel to Bissoe allow an extra 15 minutes. You can find out more information including a map of the area via this link  Portreath: Inner Harbour The harbour was developed by the Fox family in the late 1790s. It became one of Cornwall’s leading copper ore export ports. The associated horse-worked Portreath Tramroad was opened in 1812, connecting the mines with the port – see Martin Southwood’s shot of the incline into Portreath. Return cargoes from Swansea and elsewhere brought coal for the steam engines pumping the mines; some of these engines were constructed by the Perran Foundry at Perranarworthal, on an inlet of the Fal estuary, also owned by the Fox family. Portreath was not an easy harbour for sailing vessels – the entrance is difficult – and latterly small steamers plied from here ******************** Update: 21st May 2015RIDE REPORT 20TH MAY - A CIRCULAR RIDE OF 13 MILES AROUND BOKIDDICK DOWNS  Innis Downs turning left up the road to Bugle and on to Bokiddick Downs. The ride took us along pleasant country lanes with some hills which I have to say were tackled with ease – well almost! We had our lunch in the garden of Tor View Barn thanks to Clare Hugo for allowing this and for the use of the picnic table and for the company of the farm dog. There were eight of us on the ride and we must be getting better because nobody fell off their bike and would you believe it this was the first time that I had taken a first aid kit with me. Remember folks if you have a bike and transport please join us we do have some enjoyable rides and they are not too strenuous. Brian Marriott ******************* Update: 29th April 2015 Report of April bike ride which took place on Wednesday 15th. Bodmin to Padstow on the CAMEL TRAIL  At last we got a lovely day for it and nine riders.Stopping at Padstow for lunch and boy how the prices have gone up £4.20 for anot so large pasty and Reuben said that he had to take out a mortgage for hisFish and Chips. But they were nice! We had a lovelyride enjoyed by all even the two who managed to fall off their bikes – we haveall done it at some time! We could do withsome new members in the cycling group – so if you have a bike and means oftransport - please join us. You don’thave to be a super fit cyclist to enjoy our rides and the wearing of lycra isnot compulsory.************************* Update: 9th April 2015 April bike ride on Wednesday 15th. CAMEL TRAIL and the weather looks like it should be ok. If you are cycling Bodmin to Wadebridge or Bodmin to Padstow meet at 10.45 Borough Arms Car Park. If you are cycling Wadebridge to Padstow meet at 11.45 Lidles, Wadebridge at the start of the trail. Hope that we get a good turn out and if you know anyone else who may like to come along please bring them with you. Could you please let me know if you will be on the ride and which bit you are doing. Many Thanks, Brian ************************ Update: 19th March 2015 Cycling Group Ride - Wednesday 18th March We had the best weather of the year so far – unfortunately we only had three riders.  So on the most beautiful of sunny days we cycled from St Austell along Porthpean Road to Pentewan and boy is that hill steep dropping down to the village. It was brakes on all the way. We sat in the square, had a coffee from the little Café and a bit of silly banter. It was then through the gate and down the track towards the beach for a look at the sea. Returning toSt. Austel via the Pentewan Trail. What a super outing. Next Months Ride will be on Wednesday the 15th April along the Camel Trail – details to follow. Bikes can be hired from Wadebridge so this is a great opportunity for anyone who hasn’t got a bike to join us, Brian Marriott ********************** Update: 5th March 2015 Cycle Ride - Wednesday 18th March St Austell to Pentewan – Approx 10 Miles. Meet at 10.30 am Park in the Free Car Park outside the Capital Bingo Hall, Alexandra Road, St Austell. (Drive past Tesco and up to the roundabout, third exit to Mount Charles, straight across at the traffic lights. Continue to the mini roundabout – car park is on the right) We will cycle to Pentewan via Porthpean Road returning to St Austell along the Pentewan Trail to B & Q then up the road and turn left at the Asda roundabout back to the car park.  A view across Pentewan harbour, which was connected to St Austell by the Pentewan railway. China clay and tin were exported from here and coal was imported. The harbour fell into disuse when the entrance passage silted up in 1916. © Copyright John Gibson This is an easy ride on roads and trail with a small hill from St Austell up to Porthpean Road and from the Mevagissey Roundabout back to the car park. Hi viz jackets would be good. The ride should take no more than 90 minutes so we should be home for lunch. As ever please let me know if you will be on the ride so we know if we have to wait for anyone. *********************** Update: 21st February 2015 FEBRUARY BIKE RIDE At last a dry day! Five members of the cycling group left Lostwithiel Car Park and cycled up the main road passed St. Winnow School. Turning left after the MOT garage on to the Respryn Road. Yippee “a flat bit” all the way to Trewithen Dairies (what a complex). From here it was back down the A390 towards Boconnoc making our way to St. Nectans Church which is always worth a visit. Then on to the Lerryn Road and back to Lostwithiel via Newham and Polmena. A great ride enjoyed by all.  We do take our cycling serious and as forfeit for being the last rider to reach the church. I had to hold my bike at arms length for a minute – of course I am only joking – see picture. p.s. If you have a bike and means of transporting it we would love to see you on a future ride. Usually the third Wednesday of each month. Brian Marriott ************************* Update: 7th February 2015 NEXT RIDE WEDNESDAY 18th February LOSTWITHIEL and DOWNEND - 13Miles
 From here we will cycle on the pavement up to St. WinnowSchool which is a bit of a hill but nothing that we can’t manage. Then ¾ of amile on the main road turning left just past the MOT garage. On the roadtowards Respryn and turn right on to some quiet flat roads to Trewithen Dairiesand a bit further. Back the way we camebut turn off the A390 and on to St Nectan’sChurch where we will have a stop– there is one seat outside and two benches inthe Church Porch. From here we join the Lostwithiel - Lerryn road and cycle upto Newham to admire the view across the valley then it’s all down hill toLostwithiel. This is an all road ride but apart from the 2 shortstretches on the A390 they are quiet roads. High vis jackets would be good. There are a couple of not too steep hillsbut for a Lostwithiel ride this is amazingly flat. Hope that you can make it but as ever please let me knoweither way. Cycle Ride - Wednesday 21st January 2015 St Austell to Pentewan – Approx 10 Miles - Meet at 11 am.
 ( Copyright on this image is owned by Tony Atkin and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons license)
 Park in the Free Car Park outside theCapital Bingo Hall, Alexandra Road, St Austell. Drivepast Tesco and up to the roundabout, third exit to Mount Charles, straightacross at the traffic lights. Continue to the mini roundabout - parking is onthe right We will cycle to Pentewan via PorthpeanRoad. Stop for Lunch at Pentewan. Seats in the village square and the Ship Inn.We will then return to St Austell along the Pentewan Trail to B & Q then up the road and turn left atthe Asda roundabout back to the car park. This is an easy ride on roads and trailwith a small hill from St Austell up to Porthpean Road and from the MevagisseyRoundabout back to the car park. Hi viz jackets would be good. As ever please let me know if you will beon the ride so we know if we have to wait for anyone. (Sun Image courtesy of scottchan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net ) REPORTS OF EVENTS FROM 2014 AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE |
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