Today I was led around the fabulous Cornish Countryside by Nick Pearn and joined by 6 other keen-to-ride friends...... although one, Dean, who was a new face to most of us had to peel off for home unexpectedly after only the first 30mins or so. Not quite sure why but he certainly missed a cracking day !!!
Given I was in relatively unfamiliar territory I wouldn't be able to recount many, if any!, of the lanes so I'll give a relatively short summary of the route (which some readers may be thankful for) and mention some highlight moments.
We met at Saltash Services at 9am and after a coffee and a natter we headed off around 9:30. Nick was running a familiar route to him and some of the other riders in the group but he decided to run it backwards today.
We hit the A38 and peeled off at Tideford hitting the back lanes where I almost came a cropper on a fairly fast left which had an unexpected greasy patch of tarmac. Unfortunately for Dan he didn't quite manage to save his bike on the same bend and slid off. Bike and rider were however okay to continue
We continued west to Treulefoot then Widegates, Morval an onwards to Looe. On the steep climb lane at Sandplace we were met with phenomenal water erosion that had carved a gully so deep in the lane it was impassable so we had to turn around and do a ride around.
Into Looe and out via West Looe we headed towards Tencreek and Talland Bay then Polperro before we then headed north to Pelynt. The route then took us further west to Lansallos and a very steep and tricky/ slippery slab-rock downhill at Tregavithick where we met a couple of land rovers coming up the lane - it amazes me how capable those vehicles are!!
We then headed north through Penpol before the lunch stop at Lerryn. The tide was low enough to reveal the stepping stones which means the river crossing was okay so that was swiftly dealt with after lunch. A few lovely lanes at Kingston and Netherton before the lane with the exit over someones manicured law at Botallick - never feels right this one but it is legal. At least with it being winter and wet the lawn didn't look so pristine today!
Continuing north we had a splash and dash of fuel at East Taphouse before tracking back slightly then heading east into Trevellis Woods where there was lots of mud, a very steep amd tricky ascent which stapped Nick dead in hsi track winding him somewhat and another tricky, slippery descent into a water splash. Bringing up the rear was our literal tail end 'Charlie' who decided to take the chicken route here rather than the tricky downhill (que chicken noises)
On the home stretch now as we headed north towards Dobwalls. We all decided we didn't fancy the very muddy and usually deep water puddle in the lane at Moorswater so we gave that a miss and headed for Looe Mills lane ..... although this had a deep water splash at the northern end.
A short loop through Lampretten and Trethinnick Farm before heading back through the water splash and Looe Mills lane to get us into Liskard.
The final stretch heading east out of Liskard towards Pengover Green then another tricky descent at Hepwell Bridge - I remember coming up this lane on the Tenere 700 and I lost momentum and it was a bugger to get going again, especially on the bigger bike! Also had to help a friend by riding his fully luggaged 690 out of that lane for hiim as he too got stuck and couldn't get going again.
Further east through Quethiock then the last lane of the day at Crendle Down. I think we were all a bit weary at this point and there were stories of several riders feeling more like passengers along this lane than admitting to be fully in control
From here it was a short hop hack through Pillaton then Hatt before getting back onto the main A road to head for home. Nick stopped at his house just before Carkeel, Si and Dan peeled off to their vans parked at JD Racing then Charlie and Steve peeled off towards St Budeaux leaving Bob and I to head to the jetwash on Forder Valley to wash the worst of the mud off the bikes.
A cracking days laning, a little over 100 miles door to door. Some old time, long since ridden lanes along with a fair few new lanes, but a great mix of ascents, descents, mud, hard pack, rutts, water. This route had it all.
Not too bad weather, in the main - a little rain throughout the day - but nothing that could dampen the enthusiasm.
Great ride, great company. Thanks fellas, just what I needed
Sounds like a cracking day out, not for beginners though. A steep learning curve with enough challenges to go from novice to expert in a day
That tricky/slippery slab-rock downhill on 201-673 at Tregavithick gave the rider in front of me cause to have a lie down. It is so impressive when you see what a Land Rover can climb, but very slowly. I once met the Armchair Green Laners halfway up 201-650 at Muchlarnick forcing me to U-turn when it looked like I might get up clean for the first time. The residents of the manicured lawn on 201-683 at Botallick have always been friendly when I have passed by.
Probably wise to avoid the submarine pen on 201-691 near Moorswater, never seen a bike actually drowned there but oh so close many times, never dry even in drought conditions.
If photo 13 is where I think it is you did very well to get up there.
Pete, photo 13 is a lane not visible on a 1:50,000 scale map. It exits onto Old Road when ridden up as we did. See pictures but I'm sure it is where you're thinking it is (west fringe of Liskard, east of Looe Mills)
Great little challenging lane that one.
I also didn't realise the Cornish lanes had/ have the same numbering format as the Devon lanes. On my electronic map with the Cornwall overlays (loaded onto my phone by Ray) they are all listed as 'Cornwall UCR' with a four number reference (see last picture attached)
Very challenging indeed that whitey. I was glad we went down it as it looked very awkward to ascend with so many large steps. Brave.
The four digit reference number is the Cornwall County Council designation.
The six digit one came from DTRFG and I am sure John Leah can let you have the overlay when he is up and about again
(west fringe of Liskard, east of Looe Mills)
