Home
Ren's Biking Blog
Thinking About Cornwall In Winter
Blog Date - 22 November 2016
Waaaaay back in the winter of 2015 I took myself, my camping gear and my CBF125 up to Scotland (Scotland In Winter 2015). I went for two reasons. Firstly I've admired The Highland's wonder and beauty through wind and rain as well as sunshine but always in the spring or summer months. I wanted to see what it's like up there in winter when the tourists have gone, the days are short and the weather is grim. I also wanted to challenge myself, to see if I could do it, to see if I was up to the task. The trip was interesting and difficult and had to be cut short due to impending snow storms.
It was a dreich day in Oban as the wind howled, the rain poured and the sea haa rolled in.
The winter of 2016 passed by without any chilly adventures due to work and the usual commitments. This year - or should I say looking forward to next year - I would like to do another winter ride. This time I'd like to take myself down to Cornwall. Having always been there in the summer I am once again curious to see what it is like in winter when the tourists and holiday makers are absent.
I can't imagine Perranporth Beach will look like this in winter.
There are pros and cons regarding Cornwall. Cornwall does have some delightful countryside and quaint little fishing villages but it's not a patch on the remote Highlands' majesty. I hope to find Cornwall's weather a little less intimidating. Cornwall lacks the superb motorcycling roads of Scotland although I suspect they'll be flowing freely due to a lack of campervans, caravans and cars filled with luggage. What I will find remains to be seen, that's the whole point of going.
Which bike? Tough question. The CB500X is the obvious choice save for the fact I'm running out of miles. I insured it for 10,000 annual miles and I've already used 6,500 and there's still 5 months until April when the year is up. I have NO IDEA how the hell I've done 6,500 miles as I use the 125 for almost all commuting and local trips. I want to save the remaining miles for spring time and rideouts with Sharon on her 250. Cornwall will probably equate to 800 - 1000 miles.
Damn that woman, making me put miles on my shiny new bike!
The CBF125 is up to the task, there's little doubt there as it has been to Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland twice and often covers 100 - 200 miles a week locally. I do worry though as it's not getting any younger and nothing lasts forever. I shall have to decide closer to the time.
So far the plan takes me down to Herefordshire on the first day, Somerset on the second day and then Cornwall on the third. I'll hopefully spend 3 or 4 days in Cornwall before making the return journey, again over several days. These are the best laid plans of mice and men, I'm sure the weather and plenty of other unforeseen possibilities will throw a spanner in the works. I guess if everything always went to plan it wouldn't be an adventure would it.
Reader's Comments
Pocketpete said :-
Clotted cream teas and cornish pasties. Sounds do ace.
24/11/2016 08:33:17 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I'm not sure there'll be many cream teas in deepest darkest winter. We're given the impression places like Cornwall with a large tourist industry are almost ghost towns in the winter without the holiday makers. I'd like to see if that's nonsense.
Cornish pasty...mmmmmm...
24/11/2016 10:39:53 UTC
Bob said :-
I'm guessing you're staying in B&Bs?
My experiences of the Dragon Rally and MZ Rider's Club camping in North Yorkshire in January don't tempt me to repeat!
Riding in the cold and wet is fine as long as you've got somewhere to warm up and dry out afterwards!
Good Luck...
24/11/2016 15:31:47 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
B&B?!?!? What, ya think I'm made of money? It'll be the tent mate. I managed 4 nights in Scotland in winter so Cornwall *should* be easy. It'll be just my luck they'll get -15 and snow.
24/11/2016 18:07:29 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Upload an image (not required) -
Uploading...
Home
Ren's Biking Blog