Cycling To Helston

A Memory of Helston.

At No 50 on this road is the Blue Anchor, which is my favourite pub in the entire world. The visit I remember best was in 2000. I was on a fortnights leave from work, & had used a bonus to buy my first brand new vehicle, a Saracen Hy -Trail pushbike. On an impulse, I decided to train down to the South West & cycle camp around the area. I had never cycle camped before, or ridden more than ten miles in a day. But I was younger then, & full of optimism. As I had done a lot of backpacking & motorcycle touring, I was used to packing light. I had a revised for 2000 OS tourist map. What could go wrong?
The Virgin train, which was due to arrive in Plymouth 7pm that evening, eventually decanted me there long past 11pm. Not even the chance for a quick pint. The plan to cycle out to a campsite a few miles out of town was abandoned. I got out of the city on the A38 west, chained the bike to a farm gate on a side road, rolled out my mat & sleeping bag, & slept under the stars. The next night was similar - the site shown on my 'up to date' map no longer existed. The third night I found a marvellous campsite, soft ground, pity it was on a steep slope! Had a wonderful breakfast bap, which they cooked whilst I was packing my gear. It was so good if I hadn't packed all my gear on the bike, I would have stayed on.
Eventually, I arrived at Helston, staying in a site a few miles out. The site I used to stay on back in the '80's no longer existed. In the morning I would cycle to Helston to pick up some food, & spend lunchtime at the Blue Anchor. It’s a wonderful old fashioned pub. Spent many happy days chatting to other tourists & the locals, in the evenings would go for a walk. Cycled out to Porthlevan one day - the hill was a lot steeper on a pushbike than a motorcycle!