With Storm Kathleen hardly past, and forecasts of gusts up to 45 miles per hour, prospects for the first Audax Kernow events of the year did look a bit challenging, but the mood was buoyant as we assembled at the Falmouth Cricket Club. A very creditable turn-out, and great support and catering by the Falmouth Wheelers.
The finishers lists are on the Audax UK website – links below.
Tandem Tail
A Cornish 100 Départ
(Photo courtesy Scott Mitchell)
Overall, we found the wind seemed to prove more of a help than a hindrance to our tandem on A Cornish 100. This event uses several variations of route, but all live up to the name – nothing too extreme, but very much the full Cornish experience with coastal views and lane riding, and plenty of ups and downs. This year we started with the usual circuit of Pendennis Head and Falmouth beaches, which did give us the full headwind experience, and a couple of extra hills thrown in before we set off towards Gweek. The lanes were sheltered but the climb up to Boskenwyn and the continuing northerly ascent to Beacon certainly benefited from the wind on the back.
The route down from Beacon to Long Rock usually gives back some of the effort put in going up, but we were increasing aware that the wind was no longer entirely in our favour. All the same, emerging at Long Rock was a shock with a wild sea, crazy wing surfers lifted high over the waves, and the gallant controllers trying to hold everything down.
We expected the worst for the drop down from Rinsey Croft to Porthleven, where the gateways can produce some worrying cross winds at the best of times, but the descent was nothing to worry about, and the climb back out a gear or two easier than usual. There was enough west in the wind to give a bit of continuing benefit, and the final turn south back to Falmouth was mercifully short and sheltered. As the final arrivals, we had a warm welcome and plenty of cake pressed upon us.
Falmouth Finishers
50km
