Road racing in Goonhavern

Goonhavern 2011 and there's nothing on the roads

I mentioned a sprint or time trial on this blog some time ago, held in a decade when a nimby was unknown and folk were more like to say Yes on my back roads

The time trial was held in Goonhavern during the 1920s and here is the "now" view compared with the "then" view below, when people said "Let's see what'll she do mister!" and had their own friendly little time trials on public roads.

Here, I'm standing in the middle of the A3075 road facing out of the village, looking towards Newquay. There's a 30 mph sped limit here now and that black sign on the left facing traffic coming up the hill reminds you if you're going too fast.

Goonhavern 1920s with a stripped down Calthorpe approaching the starting line

Things haven't changed so much since the 20s. The road isn't much wider - it probably was always the width of a drover's road so shepherds could drive sheep across the goon or moor - and the chapel is still there and so is the primary school, which stands behind the gardens to the left of both pictures.

In the shop next to the chapel, I get my haircut by Uncle Jim who is also a comedian. No really - you wouldn't know it to look at me. He really is quite funny.

But there's too much traffic to have a sporting event on your doorstep nowadays, despite what these photos may show.

I remain curious, though, why they held a speed trial in Goonhavern at all. There must have been more challenging roads in Cornwall and it's more of a hill descent than a hill climb.

But there it is and there you are.

I just wish they still did it.