Mon 3rd & Wed 5th March

My decision to double up on the 7am Spinning classes is really paying dividends as I'm beginning to feel pretty fit . . . . . . . for me! On my non-bike days I still swim before breakfast with Richard and like to walk to the pool, if it's not raining - but this Tuesday I jogged the 2 miles - including ¼ mile up Tuckingmill Hill. No-one could be more amazed than me!
And so the improvement continues as I pedal furiously to music which often includes 'Another brick in the wall' and 'Can you feel it?' (when I want to scream out: Yes I can - in my legs!). The tracks were surely chosen on purpose! We do stretching exercises and breathing for the final 5 minutes - usually to the 'Out of Africa' theme which is beautifully relaxing and I finish off with ½ hour in the pool before cycling home - it's becoming quite routine!

Sat 1st March

I had to get out for a 'real' ride again but experienced the usual problem today - not enough time! So I had to settle for my 'loops', firstly around Kehelland but past 'Cold Comfort Farm' for a change. Another of my nicknames, this, for a sad-looking enterprise where the cattle in the farmyard are always ankle deep in muck, the polythene from the winter hay bales lies abandoned in the gateways to be blown out into the road and the two dogs always try to attack me. I don't know why I thought I would be any safer today but they came at me as usual, barking for their statutary 100yds until I was 'off their patch'. So much for trying to vary my route but good for making me pedal faster!

I thought I might as well get a cauli from Carnhell Green but Saturday must be a good day for sales because the whole stall was empty - not a vegetable of any sort. A quick change of direction sent me back to Pool (where a farmer always trades out of his cleverly adapted horsebox at weekends) and I obtained a good selection of 'greenery' including some lovely baby leeks. With only 15 miles to my credit I arrived home in time to get straight into cooking our evening meal!

The daffodils on Camborne's western approach road are at their best, so worthy of today's photo - and quite apt for St David's Day.

Mon 25th, Wed 27th & Thurs 28th February

Monday

I was all set to cycle to my Spinning class when . . . . . down came the rain, and how! Nothing for it but to revert to the car, which made for a very hectic couple of hours. The actual Spinning went well with continued improvement - but I had to leave early to collect Richard so that we'd have a decent amount of time in the pool; the local schools take over after 8.30am. It was too much of a mad rush and I vowed to use my bike in future - whatever the weather! With growing confidence, I'd booked another Spinning session for 7am Wednesday so would be keeping an eye on the forecast!

Wednesday

These 6am wake up calls are getting easier - and there's progressively more daylight by the time I leave home. Luckily no rain this morning, a good breeze helped to blow me up Tuckingmill Hill and there was even a rosy glow in the sky over the 'Golden Arches' of Macdonalds(!) when I reached the top.

A different instructor today, Alex, greeted me with a handshake as a newcomer and made sure I was happy with the adjustments on my bike. The class was full, with a few familiar faces from Monday, but the routine differed slightly so it was interesting to make comparisons. Alex is very strong on 'focus' so I have dubbed him FI (Focused Instructor!). At times we were supposed to be cycling as a group on an imaginary race - chasing a group ahead and attempting to overtake them on a hill (and all this to very modern music!). The 'hill' was more gradual than SS's on Monday and I was determined to keep up if possible, but have to admit my 'sprint finish' was nowhere near as fast as everyone else's. Even so, it was a fantastic workout - I was'dripping' come the end. As I thanked Alex on the way out, I told him I wasn't insured for racing . . . . . . I think he got the joke!

Thursday

I should have been out on the road today but an afternoon committment meant not enough time, the weather wasn't very inviting either - so I settled for the gym instead. I'm quite relieved to have it as a fall-back and often silently repeat my training schedule advice - 'an hour in the gym is worth two on the road' - in order to convince myself! I'll know when I get to be an 'old hand' with all this equipment - I won't have to carry my instruction card round with me (and glasses to read it)! Nobody else seems to need their's.

No photos from all this indoor work but our pond has been a real joy this week with so much frog activity. They don't mind all this rain - they also make washing up a pleasure for me as I can listen to them and watch their mating antics from the kitchen window. The pond now has a good amount of spawn and we look forward to our tadpoles!

Thurs 21st & Sat 23rd February

Thursday

I made the early gym session as planned and put in nearly 1½ hours. Pushed a few of my settings up too much (trying to run before I can walk!) so was disappointed with only 65 floors on the stepper - but as it felt more like climbing a ladder than stairs it must have done me some good. Cycled home in time for coffee for a change - then spent the rest of the day catching up on housework :-(

Saturday

It was nearly 3pm before I got out today - I have too much to do!! However, as I always try to do errands around town by bike, shopping in Trelowarren street was my first stop before setting out into the countryside! I always love the unusual place names round here, Praze-an-Beeble via Haleggan and Carwynnen were on the first part of my route and on NCR3, Coswinsawsin Lane always has me wondering 'What did Win see?'!! Through the bluebell woods again, I noticed a carpet of green beginning to show through the dead leaves - and so many primroses clustered on the roadside banks were a joy to see. But I had to head home . . . . via the supermarket to finish my shopping (back to reality) . . . . . and beat the fading light again. Another 18 miles - I seem to be stuck on this mileage at the moment, (not wishing to peak too soon in my training), but with the weeks to 11th June ticking away steadily, I'll have to start increasing my trips before long.

I forgot my camera today!

Wed 20th February

My legs complained bitterly yesterday after Monday's spinning efforts and were still aching this morning but after a quick swim I made myself get out on the road because it was such a lovely morning. Time for another Peregrine check along the North Cliffs, I rode to Hell's Mouth via Mount Whistle Road and Coombe - and managed a lot of standing-up-pedalling on the hills! There was some purple honesty flowering in the hedgerows down at Bell Lake, the first I've noticed this year, which is very early and a lovely sign of spring. Good results with the Pergrines too: the first pair were perched close together on their nesting cliff; I located just one bird at the second site and in the third cove I heard the birds calling (always a good sign) but couldn't find them. Pressing on through Portreath I was out for a good 2 hours and clocked up a pleasing 18 miles. I needed to conserve my energy a bit . . . . . . as I was contemplating an early visit to the gym in the morning.

Today's photo: a typical section of the North Cliffs and, believe it or not, there is a Peregrine in the picture!

Sun 17th and Mon 18th February

Sunday

I was all set for another workout this morning, reaching the leisure centre at 8am with Richard. I should have checked the weekend timetable - the gym didn't open until 9am! Never mind - ½ hour in the pool was a good warm up and as I left Richard he called out 'See you at lunch time.' - he wasn't far wrong.
'Upping' most of my routines, either by time or weight, I emerged about 1½ hours later; the call of the sauna was not to be ignored, so after luxuriating at 90°C for a further ½ hour, then the 2 mile walk, I finally got home just after midday.

Luckily I'd thought to pack a banana, which just about kept me going!


Monday

Start the week on a spinning bike!! I had to cycle to the class this morning so that Richard could have the car for his swimming; very strange setting off at 6.30 am in the pitch black but at least there was very little traffic. Whether it was the warm up on Tuckingmill Hill or just my general physical improvement, but I was 'up-out-of-the-saddle' for a lot longer than last week and really pushed myself. I was 'fairly dripping' like everyone else by the end, joined Richard in the pool for a few lengths . . . . then cycled home to finish my breakfast.

Sat 16th February

It was no warmer today, so I had to don the freshly laundered balaclava again - and the goggles! My only aim : as many miles as quickly as possible - and not too far from home. Round the Penponds and Kehelland 'loops' for a start, I then sped down the aptly named Race Hill achieving a new maximum speed for the year - 30.7mph! I thought I'd try the recently created cycle path through Tehidy Woods for a change but hadn't realized how steep the mid section hill would be. It was a real challenge, not least because of the drainage ramps every 20 yards, and my steaming-up goggles didn't help! I'd just about cooled off when I encountered another inconvenience - squeezing my bike through one narrow kissing gate, then a second, as the path crossed in front of 13th tee on the golf course - I had to hold up a waiting foursome too! I can't imagine who designed such a cycle path!

Out of the woods and across the road, the lovely new path looked as if it might take me all the way down to Portreath 'off-road' - but unfortunately not. It continued only as far as the Duchy College farmyard and then reverted to a very narrow 'bedrock' footpath with occasional low granite 'stiles'. Luckily I didn't meet any irate walkers as I bumped my way down (I would have been irate if I'd met me coming the other way in such a confined space!) and emerged safely onto the road at the bottom breathing a sigh of relief.

Always looking to vary my routes I followed a different road out of the valley and was delighted to discover another farm gate stall - selling organic cauliflowers and free range eggs. Hugging the side of the hill past Sparnon Gate, then under the towering supports of the A30 dual carriageway, Carn Brea soon appeared on the horizon and taking the direct route home along Illogan Highway I completed 16 miles.

I pass the house with the latin name (shown in today's photo) on one of my 'loops': Pax huic domui. I have a fair idea how it translates but would be interested to hear anyone else's version.

Wed 13th February

Boy was it cold today!! I had to dig out my balaclava and ski goggles - with my cycling helmet as well I looked like a real alien; in fact a small boy fired an imaginary 'star-wars-weapon' at me (complete with sound effects) as I rode past him in Redruth!

It was another shopping mission which took me east to Redruth on NCR3, and having made my purchase in Bond Street I pondered which route would make up a good mileage for the morning. Having toyed with continuing on the cycle route up the 'zig-zag mountain' out of town, I caught sight of Penandrea chimney; this landmark towers above Redruth and I'd always wondered exactly where it was, so went to investigate - amazingly it stands in someone's front garden!! On towards Mount Ambrose, somehow I totally messed up a gear change and had a real struggle getting my chain back on its cogs. By now I was roasting inside my balaclava and my goggles kept steaming up, but it was still too cold to leave them off. Turning back west I left the town down Drump Road (Redruth has some very diverse street names!) and headed for Portreath after making a quick stop to take today's photo - which features the full-size replica of Murdoch's Flyer standing on the roundabout outside Tesco!

I enjoyed having the stream running alongside me for the next couple of miles and crossed over it at the head of the beach in Portreath. On the steep half mile climb away form the sea all my spinning sessions proved their worth - I was able to 'attack' at least half the hill! Once at the top it was easy going for the last couple of miles to the Leisure Centre where it had been my intention to finish off the morning in the sauna, but in the changing room I was horrified to discover my face was totally smeared with black oil! I'd kept my gloves on while fixing the chain earlier, and each time I subsequently pulled at my balaclava, I rubbed another layer on! It took ages to get clean using paper towels and 'not-the-sweetest-smelling' soap in the dispenser! Needless to say I had to suffer the cold without gloves or balaclava on the way home and . . . . . . . . . . I just kept wondering how the girls on the reception desk hadn't remarked on my 'black looks'!!!

Mon 11th February

Another 7am Spinning class (I have to be really organized to get there on time) and have to say, I showed a marked improvement! All this 'pumping iron' and standing-on-my-pedals climbing hills out on the road is beginning to pay off. I probably only achieved a third of the 'up-out-of-the-saddle' instructions, but at least I felt I was taking part at last. Even SS remarked on my improvement at the end of the session: I glowed all the way home!!!!!

Sat 9th February

After yesterday's long run I didn't really mean to go far but the weather was just too brilliant to stay indoors and 'the top of the world' was an inviting prospect. This is my name for the highest point round here, where (on a fine day) you can see 'from sea to shining sea' - ie the Atlantic to the north and the English Channel (or at least the Western Approaches) beyond Falmouth to the south. The true high point is at Four Lanes close to the huge TV mast but my destination was on the Stithians road out of Redruth - where I once discovered I can drink in an amazing 360° view if I climb up on the old milk churn stand outside Tresthow Farm!

So, having chugged up the hill through Pendarves wood to Troon, followed by another upward mile or so to the old Nine Maidens school, and finally through the long ribbon development of Four Lanes, I reached my vantage point . . . . . only to be disappointed! A bank of mist enveloped the north cliffs and the south coast was beneath a grey haze; neither 'shining sea' was visible yet I was basking in full bright sunshine (and pretty hot too after all those hills)! Well, the closer scenery was some reward: Stithians Lake (west Cornwall's largest reservoir), Carn Marth and St Agnes Beacon, Carn Brea with its monument, Trink and Trencrom hills in the south west distance and all punctuated with too many mine engine houses and chimneys to count - its a shame that no photo can do justice to such a rich scene.

Downhill most of the way home, I captured today's photo just outside Carnkie - a few of those mine engine houses and chimneys framing the Basset Monument atop Carn Brea.

Fri 8th February

My longest trip to date this year -32 miles - today I rode to Truro. It turned out to be a morning of 'bottoms and smells'! Not what you think, but the quaintly named Park Bottom, Greenbottom and Skinners Bottom which lay on my route! As for the smells: the aromas from the kitchen of the Inn for All Seasons on the outskirts of Redruth (clever play on "Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons" name, but I don't know if the food is as good!); next the heady perfume of the gorse flowers, which filled both sides of the hill down into Chacewater; and lastly (OK you were right) a farmer 'muck spreading' just over the hedge from me as I rode home through Blackwater. Our senses are denied so much by travelling in cars!

Truro was bustling, as ever, but I scooted through stopping off to treat myself to a capuccino in M&S, sitting in the window looking out over the Plaza below, followed by a quick visit to the Cathedral. I'd heard about a very unusual bit of theatre being staged inside: 'Of All the People in All the World' put on by Stan's Cafe (an offshoot of Cornwall's own theatre company, Kneehigh). It amounted to measured piles of rice laid out on sheets of white paper on the floor, each bearing a label. The 2 actors wearing brown storekeepers' coats, surrounded by sacks of rice, worked at a long table with scales, scoops and a printer creating more piles. One grain of rice corresponded to one person, so 'The Population of Cornwall' alongside 'The Population of Bradford' were roughly equal piles. Simialrly 'The Number of Millionaires in the World' was about the same as 'The Number of Refugees in the World'. All around the cathedral many more unlikely population statistics were compared in piles of rice: very thought-provoking. On the way out I only just noticed a medium-sized pile of rice almost hidden under a table: 'The Number of FBI Agents in USA' - very typical of Kneehigh's wit!

My contrasts of the morning were the Eastern European migrant workers picking daffodils at Park Bottom and my fellow coffee drinkers in M&S.

Wed 6th February

A perfect cycling day, no wind and a warm sun. Richard's good friend Alex came to lunch and as they set off afterwards for the North Cliffs to see if the Ravens had started nest-building, I followed but on a more circuitous route! Through Penponds to Carnhell Green on NCR3 but there I turned off northwards. Over the railway at Gwinnear Road level crossing it was an easy ride passed Connors Downs and on to Gwithian. The first view of the sea on reaching the brow of the hill was as magical as ever: Godrevy Lighthouse on its island with the wave-washed rocks beyond and the village with its church and cluster of houses snuggled safely at the foot of the sand dunes. It was pretty 'claggy' in the cauliflower field I scrambled into to get my picture!

Back along the cliff road I passed our car parked at Hell's Mouth and thought about riding out to join Richard and Alex, but the coastal footpath is still pretty slippery in places so decided not to. Instead I carried on to Portreath where the tide was well in and huge breakers were crashing over the end of the outer harbour. Not much wind today but the sea swell was left over from the recent weather system; I was amazed to see several surfers taking advantage of the waves - a bit too close to the harbour wall for my liking! I lingered rather too long (hoping to get a more dramatic photo!) and began to get cold, but after racing along the valley and up the hill into Illogan, the final 'double-up-and-down' of Tehidy and Roscroggan served to warm me up - as did the wonderful orange sunset. A good 18 miles which worked off a bigger lunch than I'm used to!

Mon & Tues 4th & 5th February

Monday
Much to Richard's horror, I was up at 6am, downed half a bowl of porridge, gathered my kit and was astride a Spinning bike by 7am! The instructor this morning was Smiley Simon (SS); it was a much cosier atmosphere with just 7 in the class and we followed much the same pattern as before - with ONE exception: on reaching the 'jumps' SS worked round the class nodding 'UP' to each of us in turn - so I had to try! The main trouble was that I was the first in line, so in theory had to stay 'UP' the longest - needless to say I didn't! However, I survived the 45 minutes, cooled off with a few lengths in the pool then headed back home to finish off my porridge. A bit like Goldilocks!

Tuesday
I've decided early morning gym sessions are best as they don't mess up the day! Using a different selection of apparatus from last time (apart from the rowing machine which I can tell is doing me good) the only notable achievement of my hour was on the Stepper. Having remembered to take my glasses I could read the 'Workout Summary' at the end: after 10 minutes I had climbed the equivalent of 95 floors! EXTRAORDINARY!!!

Sat 2nd February

Another grey drizzly day brightened a little after lunch and I set off for the coast. I hadn't been to Portreath (our nearest beach) for ages and it's much nicer in winter without any crowds. Less than 3 miles from home, as I suspected there were only a few on the beach and a couple surfers hoping the waves would improve. I passed the beach car park and climbed part way up Lighthouse Hill on the far side to capture today's photo. The tide was almost in filling the outer harbour below me as I looked across to North Hill - with Smugglers Cove tucked in the corner and Black Rock offshore.

The rain was threatening again but returning home meant tackling the steep half mile hill I'd just come down (which I didn't fancy) so I continued on the more gentle route up the valley towards Redruth. No activity on the vast BMX track after the Porthtowan turn - unusual for a weekend - but plenty of coaches outside Treasure Park, a favourite stop for pensioners down from the north staying in Newquay or Falmouth at this time of year. Through Redruth town centre, I thought it about time I tried NCR3 again along the edge of Carn Brea. It was a real slog up through the village (just as remembered) but with the next spinning class in mind, I tried a fair part of it standing up - which is UNKNOWN for me! Much easier going at the top with Carn Brea Monument and Castle above me on the left and industrial Pool laid out below on the right with the coast beyond; but another switchback followed (through Brea) before I reached Camborne. A quick stop at Tesco was NOT quick at 5pm on a Saturday and it was dark when I finally emerged - had to rig up my lights for the last mile home where Richard was wondering where I'd got to. It never did rain and I clocked up 18 miles!

Wed & Thurs 30th & 31st January

Wednesday
With another gym induction session tomorrow I thought I'd better consolidate what I'd learnt already and as I really don't like being indoors when the sun is shining I swapped the early spinning class for the gym instead. I still seemed to spend too long working out instructions but 'rowed' 2000m in 11minutes, did 30 'repeats' on 3 different weight machines and 10 minutes 'random/climbing' on the treadmill at 4mph - so felt I acheived something in the hour. A lovely half hour relaxing in the sauna afterwards was my reward.


Thursday
My good intentions yesterday weren't necessary - Christian greeted me at 11am and said I didn't really need to learn much more, given my reasons for joining the gym - ie preparing for my bike ride. So I continued with my consolidation alone! Plenty of apparatus to choose from without repeating any of yesterday's, I alternated CV (cardio-vascular) machines with weights and felt a little more confident by the time my hour was up. Where else but the sauna to finish off an energetic morning?!

Monday 28th January

The lovely weekend weather didn't last but as it was still dry I fancied going west for a change, back on National Cycle Route (NCR) No 3 - much ridden in 2005, both in training and all 450 miles from Bristol to Land's End on the last leg of my John o'Groats to Land's End ride. Not so far today - just down to Hayle!

I joined the route at Penponds beside the little river and had just turned uphill towards Carnhell Green when a sparrowhawk swooped low over the daffodil field on my right - a good start to the morning! Halfway up the hill it was my turn to be studied - by the owner of a mobile home and his five Alsation dogs -luckily he kept them well under control - not a single bark in my direction - I wondered what his dog food bill must be each week.

At Carnhell Green (John Wesley once preached there) I bought a cauliflower and some spring greens from the farm gate stall (beautifully fresh and so cheap) packed them into my panniers, then carried on to Gwinnear. The village is little more than a row of houses but does have a pub and also boasts a 'Hall for Gwinnear' - if Truro has a 'Hall for Cornwall' - why not?! Half a mile further on the morning session at the little granite primary school had just ended and the infants were coming out eager to show off the morning's artwork to their mums waiting at the gate.

Another of Cornwall's 'big dippers' ahead - I whizzed down past the ancient church, taking care of the slight bend on the bridge at the bottom before pedalling crazily to try and get at least part way up Nanpusker Hill on the other side! It was still a long haul to the top but after a sharp right over the railway bridge it was downhill again (very steep and narrow) into Angarrack.

Brunel's immense viaduct carrying the main London to Penzance railway line dominates the village - I looked up its community website and discovered they have just celebrated the viaduct's bicentenary; they're also very proud of their Christmas light displays - which you will notice from my photo . . . are still up!

Luckily the way out of the village was not 'up' but along the valley to Loggans Mill, the enlarged A30 junction outside Hayle. A new branch of M&S has just sprung up here and I couldn't resist going in for a quick browse even though I looked a little out of place among the smart shoppers of west Cornwall in my back and gold cycling kit . . . . . but I did take my helmet off! I couldn't stay long (it was far too hot inside) and felt quite smug as I left, breezing past the queuing cars - the car park is totally inadequate and it isn't even summer! I'd had no trouble parking my bike!

Nearly into Hayle I stayed on NCR3 around the edge of Copperhouse Pool, over the bridge housing the tidal gates at the seaward end and back onto the road alongside the inner harbour. By now it was well past 1 o'clock so I succumbed to the aromas wafting out of the bakery and decided to buy a pasty for lunch. Tucked in a sheltered spot, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the kingfisher flitting between the boats, but sadly not, just a couple of egrets, a curlew and several gulls. Not a bad picnic site even so!

I briefly popped in to see an old friend of Richard's before heading back to Camborne. Choosing a slightly different route with gentler inclines(!) I took the coast road out of Hayle turning inland after about 2 miles to cross, first the new A30 then the old one at Connor Downs; back through Carnhell Green I finally retraced my outward route home. A very pleasant way to spend a Monday morning and I'd clocked up another 20 miles.

Today's photo - (Part of) Brunel's viaduct at Angarrack.

Sat 26th January

Joy! The wind had abated and the sky was cloudless as I set off in the morning sunshine! The witch hazel in magnificent full flower at the end of our drive had me taking notice of all the other gardens I passed. Plenty of snowdrops and daffodils, a few crocus too, but camelias everywhere in all shades of pink and red, white too - double and single petalled - they really are a Cornish favourite. Once out of town it was the celandines which kept catching my eye as I headed for the North cliffs road - down Race Hill (29mph recorded - my fastest this year!) to Bell Lake and the west boundary of Tehidy Woods before the long climb up towards the cliffs at Hells Mouth - a well known beauty spot. I passed the field used by a model aeroplane club; a couple of members were flying already spoiling the peace with the insistent buzz of their machines - I felt sorry for the resident sheep which had fled to the far corner of the field.

I continued west on the coast road just to the top of the hill so that I could enjoy the view of St Ives Bay spread out below - the surf must have been crashing in at Gwithian judging by the spray hanging in the air above the beach. Part of my reason for choosing this route was to check out the resident peregrine falcons, so I'd come armed with binoculars. Turning back east, the first cove yielded nothing except a few early fulmars on the choicest ledges; it would have been good to stay a little longer but I needed to keep moving to stay warm! The visibility was incredible - looking seaward over Crane Islands to St Agnes Beacon, Man and His Man (two rocks just off-shore between St Agnes and Perranporth), then all the other headlands and finally Trevose (with its lighthouse) in the far distance just before Padstow. A view I never tire of! Two more coves checked but no peregrines found despite thorough searching of all their usual perches - I'll just have to go back another day and hope for more luck! Stopping briefly in a gateway at Caravannel farm I had to look back at Godrevy Lighthouse on its island (famed as the inpiration for Virginia Wolf's 'To the Lighthouse' when she stayed in St Ives) before turning inland through the 'wooded tunnel' outside Illogan on Tehidy's eastern side and into the last couple of miles home. An exhilarating morning out and I'd covered 15 miles.

Today's picture: Crane Islands with Godrevy lighthouse in the distance.

Thurs 24th January

Another induction hour in the gym - with Andrea this time. Another 5 pieces of apparatus were introduced, some easier to master than others. I could tell that the 'Leg Push' and 'Leg Curl' will be very beneficial - they may even help improve my 'Spinning' technique in the future!
Cleverly, Andrea engaged me in conversation for the 10 minutes I was on the 'Stepper' - I don't think I could have carried on that long otherwise. A further 10 mins on the 'Seated Row' working my back muscles was OK and I finished off the hour on a computer-game-exercise-bike' which was compulsive! 30 seconds fast followed by 30 seconds slow, I was the 'double dot' on the screen chasing (or beating) my single dot pacemaker. Andrea commented that I didn't like to be beaten - and I wasn't! I'll have to put the game level up next time I play!
My last induction session will be next week - and then it's up to me.

Tues 22nd January

The 10am 'Spinning' class was fully booked - twelve 20-to-30-something young girls, only two guys (one 30ish, the other 50-ish) and me! I was the only beginner so the slender instructress (SI) helped me adjust a bike for leg and arm length, then after a quick explanation of 'today's session plan' the music started and we all started pedalling.
The warm-up was fine - adding a little extra tension to the wheel every few minutes - until the instruction was given to CLIMB! Up they all went: standing on their pedals, adding more tension at regular intervals until the 'top of the hill' was reached; then with tension partly released and still standing on pedals they raced 'downhill and along the flat' - their legs going round in a blur, spurred on by the SI to go even faster. I wasn't party to much of this but pedalled on at my own pace testing various degrees of tension and trying to stand up every so often - but with little success! A slight lull followed when water was gulped and sweat was towelled away - during which we all continued to pedal!
Next came the 'jumps': 10 revolutions standing, 10 revs back in the saddle - repeated too many times to remember! Again I tried to join in but decided my own style would have to do as the class moved on to other frenetic routines. At least I kept pedalling for the full 45 minutes -with quite a degree of vigour too - and have to admit it was probably the best workout I've ever had.
Not one to be beaten, I have booked another class: next week on Wednesday at 7am!

Mon 21st January

I put in an hour in the gym yesterday and was expecting to feel stiff this morning, but all limbs and back were OK! The morning sped by and most of the afternoon too in typical Monday fashion so it was late afternoon again before I got out - into more than half a gale!

I wasn't intending to go far and the 8 miles I achieved felt more like 16! I chose the Kehelland loop into the wind so that I would be blown home and noted at one stage that I reached only 8mph pedalling hard downhill but 8.5mph going up after I'd turned a couple of corners!

After Ramsgate I was doing so well with the following wind, it seemed sensible to keep going - up to Beacon! I usually struggle on this route as I near the top, but not today - so I was glad I'd made the effort! At least it was all downhill to town, past the railway station and Richard Trevithick's statue outside the library, then the last mile home.

I'd forgotten to look out for a photo earlier, but almost home, I came across the 'bath tub sentry box' which made me think of AA Milne's 'They're Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace'!!

Sat 19th January

The wind continued to blow and it rained for most of the day but I just managed to fit in 12 miles before the daylight failed - by then it was only damp but cold! Heading east I noticed the first signs of the new housing estate to be built on the last four remaining fields between Camborne and the main A30 road and I wondered if my route will keep its name of Boilerworks Lane in the future!

Out of town through Tuckingmill and under the narrowest of railway arches towards Brea, I decided to miss the village and head up to Troon past the relics of Brea tin streaming works. This is now part of Cornwall's World Heritage Site and has been made 'safe to visit' with new pathways and much galvanized railing, but nature is still threatening to take it back. The view across the valley to Brea is interesting with South Crofty mine and the remains of Tincroft mine on the skyline behind the village - see today's photo.

The climb was just as long as ever but once I entered Troon the next 2 miles were easy, crossing onto the Treslothan road (where the old church and imposing Pendarves family mausoleum are hidden behind the trees) and down into the bluebell woods. No sign of the flowers - the floor of the wood was chestnut brown with its carpet of fallen beech leaves.

Luckily there was no traffic as I crossed the main Helston road into Ramsgate; the dogwalkers were out in force - like me - making the most of the only dry hour of the day. Finally I was back on my 'Baripper loop', into Camborne centre and home in the 'gathering gloom' just after 5 o'clock.!

Thurs 17th January

Today I joined the gym!


My Induction lasted over an hour. After the paperwork and explaining my reasons for wanting to join, I was shown 6 different bits of apparatus by my trainer Christian. I'm going to have trouble remembering how to get started on most of them, what with programme selection, resistance selection, weight selection and number of repetitions - I'm going to need my glasses too as I can't make out the instruction notices without them!


First attempt on a treadmill was not good but I got the hang of it after 5 minutes walking at 3 miles an hour. Lots of work to do there! I fared better with the rowing machine and maintained 25 strokes per minute quite easily over 500 metres. The Cross Trainer - arms and legs going at once - can't be programmed until you get it moving. I had some difficulty pressing the buttons and keeping everything going at the same time but as I got a bit of rhythm things improved. My heart rate went up too, but not alarmingly. Christian said it was pretty good for my age - he'd seen a lot worse!


Into the weights room next, for work on my upper body using 3 different machines. I discovered that my arms don't mind pulling but pushing is another matter. Even more work required! Finally I treated my lower back to some 'reverse sit ups'. After pushing myself down from a sitting to a lying position the machine sent me back up. Not bad at all except for the stiff neck needed to keep my head from falling off! And so my Training Schedule card was completed, placed in the rack and I booked another Induction session with Andrea same time next week.

By now the pool was open for lunchtime swimming and I managed 20 lengths before driving home for a very late lunch.


No picture today.

Wed 16th January

Today I was on a mission! The USA photos from my on-line order had been sent to Tesco in Redruth - why not Camborne or Pool which are so much nearer home? Anyway, I reckoned it was about 5 miles, the early morning rain had cleared and I should make it in the short time available.

Left home at 09.50 promising to be back by 11.15 in order to drive to Truro with Richard. Initial shock: as I passed 'Blanco's' house - it was empty and a For Sale sign swayed in the wind. I nicknamed this old gentleman because of his likeness to David Jason's character in Porridge; he's always waved to me from his conservatory surrounded by his plants, pictures and models - cyclamen and geraniums, peacock and dodo(?) portraits, Cornish engine house and Viking longboat etc - I'll miss him.

It was very grey day with far too much wind. Keeping away from the main road as usual, I went through South Tehidy, past St Mary's Well and into Illogan village. 3 miles from home and the rain reappeared; no point turning back so I pedalled on towards Sparnon Gate down the 'big dipper' and up the other side with water dripping off every part of me. I kept thinking 'It could be like this on the way to Paris - or worse'! Luckily it turned out to be just a shower.

Reaching Tesco, I noted exactly 5 miles, (what a good guess) - and my photos weren't there! 'Please call back after 1.30pm when we have a delivery' was all the help given. Time was beginning to run out, so the main road had to be the way back. It was great to whizz past the traffic held up by the long-term road works outside Barncoose Hospital and once through, no overtaking cars as they were all held up by the next red light!

Illogan Highway is at the heart of the big local redevelopment scheme - Camborne Pool Redruth Regeneration. Much of it is still at the planning stage but the grandly titled Camborne Retail Park has sprung up in the last couple of years, with the usual mix of B&Q, Halfords, Comet etc - nothing too exciting, but I like the group of Cornish Miners which keeps guard outside the perimeter wall! Passing Trevenson crossroads the sun was actually glinting through the headgear of South Crofty Mine and my clothes were nearly dry!

Not too far from home by now, a quick circuit of Camborne 'made up the miles' and with 10 showing on my bike computer I was home at 11.10.

Mission accomplished!!

Todays picture - the group of Cornish Miners outside Camborne Retail Park.

Mon 14th January

Nine pounds heavier than I should be and haven't been on my bike for over 4 weeks, so the training for my London to Paris ride in June starts today!

Nothing too strenuous, Richard and I enjoyed a 4 mile walk through the woods after breakfast, then after a quick maintenance check of the bike I was out on the road.

A lovely sunny morning, too windy but not too cold, I followed 3 reasonably traffic-free country lanes on the outskirts of Camborne which I call my loops! Penponds and Baripper loop, Kehelland loop and finally Reskadinnick loop. All involve a few hills but I was pleased to find it all pretty easy going.

I was only out for an hour, completed just over 8 miles and even had time for a quick sauna and shower at the Leisure Centre before lunch! I must join the gym there before too long and try their Spinning sessions - exercise-biking to music I gather! Very good for building up stamina!

Photo of the day shows the Clapper bridge at Penponds.