Trials and trails of Cornwall

[Sir Fallsalot]

The weekend for me was a trip to Cornwall to do some trail riding with the TRF, I think there were around 25 riders and few including myself brought along their better half, We stayed at a campsite near a place called No mans Land, we were in a static caravan this time very civilised for me. Friday was just a catch-up with some and introductions to others with a few beers.
Saturday morning i got up with a muzzy head after the previous nights beer drinking and no water but after a good fry up and a dump i was ready to go. The routes were plotted and lead by someone else so all i had to do was follow on the day. There were three separate groups two groups riding the same route but in different directions and one group doing an easier route.  We left the women to fend for themselves and headed off on a what was a cold but sunny morning to the first lane about a mile away from camp, Our intrepid leader hadn't ridden it before so didn't know it was a bit washed out so we had to walk the bikes in some places

 

My body hadn't started running on all cylinders at this point and it felt like i was going to stall

 

At the bottom we all stopped for a rest it was only a short lane but i was a bath of sweat and really out of breath i thought if this is what the rest of the lanes are like i shall be returning to the campsite early, The few miles of road to the next lane cooled me down nicely and i was pleased to find the following  lanes were nice and easy sunken roads but a little overgrown so had to duck under low branches and other overgrown bushes.
This lane had a slippery rocky section with a step on it quite difficult to get up 

So while gasping for air after getting up there the smokers light up 

 

After the last lane I discovered that the exposed rock on all of the lanes was very slippery and difficult to walk on let alone ride, we had to stop here to sort out one of the lads handguards after he binned it on the rocks (the one with the fag in his hand in the previous photo)

 

Our intrepid leader didn't listen to me when i said keep the visor down in the overgrown lanes and this was his punishment, a bramble was hiding behind a branch and kissed his nose 

 

We stopped at Penpoll for a pastie and a drink about mid day, as we finished one of the other groups turned up and after a short chat we were off.

 

the tide was out so sot the crossing was easy here

Our leader taking the wrong line here and getting bogged down, his choice of rear tire didn't help ok on the rocks but shit in mud as i followed his line and managed to plough through to the end, the other side was easy as shown in the video.

 

The lanes after this were easy enough fast flowing and uneventful so no photos, then they started getting interesting and have i mentioned before very slippery, Surprisingly my body had caught up and was now running on all cylinders so when we went down this one i didn't feel  like i was going to have a Sean when i had to manhandle the bike down it.

This lane has been named the pink panther for some reason.

 

the rest of the lanes all had this slippery rock in various forms even on the flat it had you sliding sideways. Here's one of the lads stuck on it 

And he's up 

Looks nothing on film 

Before we moved on a lad turned up on a BMW GS850 going down it we wished him good luck and moved onto some more slippery down hill rocks  for a change

The strata going diagonally across the trail really made for a difficult ride

A short rest before hitting it again further down.

Last photo of the day. I was sent ahead on this one, again some real slippery rock to ride up with a step on it and diagonal strata making it real difficult to ride, when i got to this gate i waited for about 15 minutes and no sign of anyone. Tried phoning with no answer so thought they had changed their minds and i decided to go back down to see where they were only find them all stuck on the rock step heading up which meant i had to turn around and do it again it was harder the second time 

 

There were a few more lanes after the one above which were uneventful  so no stopping for photos. Got back to the campsite around 6pm feeling pretty pumped and could have done some more. loaded the bike and my gear in the marmite wagon before having a shower, after that i couldn't stand up straight and was aching like hell lol a burger from the BBQ and a few beers sorted that out. Woke up refreshed had a fry up and a very windy drive home.

Will need to get my fitness up if i return next year as it will probably be two days riding.

Our route

[Pedro]

30 minutes ago, Sir Fallsalot said:

The weekend for me was a trip to Cornwall to do some trail riding with the TRF, I think there were around 25 riders and few including myself brought along their better half, We stayed at a campsite near a place called No mans Land, we were in a static caravan this time very civilised for me. Friday was just a catch-up with some and introductions to others with a few beers.
Saturday morning i got up with a muzzy head after the previous nights beer drinking and no water but after a good fry up and a dump i was ready to go. The routes were plotted and lead by someone else so all i had to do was follow on the day. There were three separate groups two groups riding the same route but in different directions and one group doing an easier route.  We left the women to fend for themselves and headed off on a what was a cold but sunny morning to the first lane about a mile away from camp, Our intrepid leader hadn't ridden it before so didn't know it was a bit washed out so we had to walk the bikes in some places

 

My body hadn't started running on all cylinders at this point and it felt like i was going to stall

 

At the bottom we all stopped for a rest it was only a short lane but i was a bath of sweat and really out of breath i thought if this is what the rest of the lanes are like i shall be returning to the campsite early, The few miles of road to the next lane cooled me down nicely and i was pleased to find the following  lanes were nice and easy sunken roads but a little overgrown so had to duck under low branches and other overgrown bushes.
This lane had a slippery rocky section with a step on it quite difficult to get up 

So while gasping for air after getting up there the smokers light up 

 

After the last lane I discovered that the exposed rock on all of the lanes was very slippery and difficult to walk on let alone ride, we had to stop here to sort out one of the lads handguards after he binned it on the rocks (the one with the fag in his hand in the previous photo)

 

Our intrepid leader didn't listen to me when i said keep the visor down in the overgrown lanes and this was his punishment, a bramble was hiding behind a branch and kissed his nose 

 

We stopped at Penpoll for a pastie and a drink about mid day, as we finished one of the other groups turned up and after a short chat we were off.

 

the tide was out so sot the crossing was easy here

Our leader taking the wrong line here and getting bogged down, his choice of rear tire didn't help ok on the rocks but shit in mud as i followed his line and managed to plough through to the end, the other side was easy as shown in the video.

 

The lanes after this were easy enough fast flowing and uneventful so no photos, then they started getting interesting and have i mentioned before very slippery, Surprisingly my body had caught up and was now running on all cylinders so when we went down this one i didn't feel  like i was going to have a Sean when i had to manhandle the bike down it.

This lane has been named the pink panther for some reason.

 

the rest of the lanes all had this slippery rock in various forms even on the flat it had you sliding sideways. Here's one of the lads stuck on it 

And he's up 

Looks nothing on film 

Before we moved on a lad turned up on a BMW GS850 going down it we wished him good luck and moved onto some more slippery down hill rocks  for a change

The strata going diagonally across the trail really made for a difficult ride

A short rest before hitting it again further down.

Last photo of the day. I was sent ahead on this one, again some real slippery rock to ride up with a step on it and diagonal strata making it real difficult to ride, when i got to this gate i waited for about 15 minutes and no sign of anyone. Tried phoning with no answer so thought they had changed their minds and i decided to go back down to see where they were only find them all stuck on the rock step heading up which meant i had to turn around and do it again it was harder the second time 

 

There were a few more lanes after the one above which were uneventful  so no stopping for photos. Got back to the campsite around 6pm feeling pretty pumped and could have done some more. loaded the bike and my gear in the marmite wagon before having a shower, after that i couldn't stand up straight and was aching like hell lol a burger from the BBQ and a few beers sorted that out. Woke up refreshed had a fry up and a very windy drive home.

Will need to get my fitness up if i return next year as it will probably be two days riding.

Our route

Those diagonal rock slits look like pure danger all slathered in wetness like that.

Serious question, though, what’s the point of having a leader if he doesn’t know what’s ahead?

[Sir Fallsalot]

10 minutes ago, Pedro said:

Those diagonal rock slits look like pure danger all slathered in wetness like that.

Serious question, though, what’s the point of having a leader if he doesn’t know what’s ahead?

He was just following a GPX route and had only ridden some of it before, and to be fair green lanes can change monthly that first one might not have been washed out this time last year it also adds to the fun of trail riding. 

[Six30]

some of that looks hard work @Sir Fallsalot.. you must be fucked tonight.

[boboneleg]

Nice one Fred, those lanes look like some of the stuff in Devon.  Pink Panther is a famous lane, used to be used on the Lands End trial .

[Catteeclan]

Hats off to you lot, to much like hard work for me to enjoy.

[Saul]

 

 

 

Did you not look to the right and see the bridge just upriver 

I know Lerryn really well been there many times singing in the pub and such, lovely little village.   Just upriver from where I live .  I have been across those lanes when I was much younger, don't remember them being that rough  but it was probably 30 plus years ago and things change.  Glad you have a good time down here Fred.  

[Buckster]

The photoshop is strong on this thread.