Lately I feel a lot like Matt Johnson. Who? He was the lead character in the cult classic John Milius Surf film, Big Wednesday. A coming of age film about a young group of surfers growing up in sixties California. As the years go by, swells pass through the seasons, his friends travelled, some went off to war, and after a turbulent time Matt settled into homelife and a business with his wife Peggy and child. When his friend Jack Barlow returns from Vietnam and paddles out on a perfect day to reunite with his best friend, as they catch up after three years, Barlow asks Matt if he'd been surfing much, his reply was simple, " Nah, Nah, just when it's necessary".
Why the reference? We can’t avoid the fact that prices have gone a little mental, parking prices are getting ridiculous and travelling further from home is becoming much like this classic line too, ‘just when it’s necessary’. The cost of fuel is rising fast and arguably forcing a new kind of lockdown, and potentially keeping many people pinned within their locale. I’ve noticed it’s a little quieter here in Cornwall this year, considering last year was mental and it's not surprising as people are also going abroad again. Maybe the profit driven companies, the government not really helping, the overpriced cost of eating out, parking fees, etc etc, are having an impact. Yes we know that ‘your costs have gone up’, and I do really feel for struggling businesses, but here’s a news flash…So have mine and I can’t help you if you can’t help me. But I don’t want this to be a negative post, yes there are more important things happening in the world right now, but seriously these price rises are selfishly having a huge impact on my fun and I was really looking forward to getting out there beyond the ‘Radius of Home’, so quite frankly it’s just not on. I recently cancelled my entry to the nearest round of the Southern Enduro Series at Tiverton, sacrificing my entry fee and cutting my losses, I decided not to go. I’m now contemplating pulling the plug on my entry to the Southern Enduro Championships at Minehead in August before it’s too late. On top of the entry fee, the rise in fuel cost alone, and a day off work means personally it's just too much. Travelling on my own, a 350 mile or 7 hour round trip is now way beyond my planned budget but the decision is not final yet. I feel pretty frustrated because both events are the closest enduros we have in the South West, but still a good distance to travel, and both are such good fun. I really enjoyed the whole enduro thing and last year was my first real foray into racing mountain bikes. I’d learnt a lot and made some great headway in fitness and riding skills, and even took a 14th at the final round of the National Champs in Minehead, and a third place along the way in the Grandmasters Division (over 50) at the South West Enduro at Grogley Woods. So, as I write this my Radius for fun has been reduced again; shrinking like a deflating party balloon, with issues way beyond my control, and the cost of living rising faster than I can book an uplift day at Bike Park Wales when my wife gives me the green light to go. The latest thing to suffer was our annual trip to the ‘Freedom Ride’. An event that began when lockdown eased in 2020 at Rogate Bike Park, and organised by the boys from the podcast ‘The Ride Companion’, we will also miss this year and we’re gutted about this one. It’s just so much fun and it would have been our third consecutive year, helping out the boys on the DMR Bikes stand and generally meeting some amazing folks from the Mountain Bike community. Maybe that’s what hurts the most, missing the wider community, catching up with friends, meeting new ones and having a good belly laugh at someone else's misfortune. However, when we are faced with a challenge we must adapt and we do have our community here within Surfing, Sea Swimming, Riding, Skating; it’s just about getting involved. The reason for starting this Radius Blog was to explore Cornwall further, but also get out there beyond and have some great experiences, Yet reviewing the current situation I’ve set a Radius of one hour driving (or train if needed) and it’s time to further support the local bike and skate parks, or head to some other beaches for a swim, or travel up the coast a little for a surf. In fact it might be time to see if any landowners are willing to get involved in a local bike park idea here in the far Wild West. A couple of fields with a slight gradient, build some fun jumps and a variety of trails for everyone to enjoy. Old Hill Bike Park near Wadebridge did it, why can’t we? Possibly put on a little Strava timed gorilla/covert enduro event under the guise of a group ride. Maybe a little hill climbing competition up ‘Lamorna Wink’, or an unofficial sportive that doesn’t cost £50 to enter, just make a donation and get a slice of cake, no numbers, no medals, just some good memories and a pint after. I’m not just writing this for myself. If you're reading this and in the same boat, then maybe this is the answer. Our Radius can be ours to enjoy if we have, or can find the resources, and be a little creative. Personally I’ve still not ventured into the overnight micro-adventure/bikepacking and I’m excited about doing this. Although I feel like a very late starter to this phenomenon, jumping on the bandwagon after the first convoy left years ago, but I really don’t care, I’ve got my trendy gravel bike, I live in a beautiful place, I’m steadily gathering the equipment, so it’s just a matter of timing. Look around you and if you’re in the same boat, be mindful of what you might have within a small radius and I’m sure most of us are. I know I’m thankful to live by one of the most beautiful beaches, in fact it was in The Times, coming in at number 7. Thankfully I don’t have to travel to surf, I can walk over a field and down the hill and I don’t have to pay a ridiculous £60 for an hour to surf at a wave park, but I'd still like to try. We have some fantastic cycling on back lanes, and I ventured out to explore a little of the West Cornwall Way last weekend. I can ride 50 miles and barely be outside a 10 mile radius of home. I have a hill ‘My Mountain’ on my doorstep that keeps me sane and caters for my Gravity Enduro needs, or I can ride for miles across the moors, or get on the coast path. We have skateparks, beautiful swimming spots, amazing coastal walks, and opportunities to explore coves and bridleways so I can stay local, no problem at all, I do feel blessed. We all need to escape sometimes, we all need to explore a little further, extend our radius and experience other places, events and cultures, but we don’t have to do it all the time, just maybe when we can afford to, or really ‘just when it’s necessary’. Until then do what you need to do, do what you did in Lockdown; stay local, support local, make your own fun locally, and remember it's not that bad. As I close this post, I'd like to send a polite message to local businesses, help us too, it’s not all about the tourist pound, please don’t forget about the locals. A locals pass goes a long way, a locals discount matters, a little local discount when necessary; look after your community and they will look after you, the mot successful businesses, with the greatest longevity are based on community.
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AuthorHi, I'm Russ Pierre, a Cyclist, Surfer and outdoor enthusiast. Please join me as I have some fun on my adventures and write about all the stuff that makes me tick. Archives
December 2024
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