0800 - Got up & started unpacking the van, had breakfast
etc
0830 - Craig starts the laborious task
of sorting out a replacement hire van and is told at first that we would
have to wait till monday; much pleading later we are told that we can pick
up a van in Exeter but we have to pick it up by 1200 - it
was 1000 at this point...and then just as we were trying
to work out how we could possibly get to Exeter in
time, the phone rings & we
are told that a replacement van is on it's way
1230 - Van arrives and we are on our way to Lands End at last
1500 - After photos at Lands End we eventually set off
for a very pleasant first days cycling in Glorious sunshine
1900 - Back in camp and the first, much needed, beers are cracked open
to the sound of St Austell's very own mini Woodstock banging away in the
field next door. We expect to sleep through it.
------------------------------------
After a stressful start to the trip due to the breakdown
of the van and ineptitude of the RAC, we finally got our heads down for a
few hours at 3.30 am. We woke at 8am and started sorting camp out but at 8.30
I thought I'd better get the ball rolling on sorting a replacement van. As
predicted the first response was that nothing would be available until Monday
so I explained our predicament and the fact that a year of planning, training
and fundraising was about to go down the toilet unless they got us a van by
midday. After several desperate phone calls and no doubt some pleading by
the lady at TLS Northampton with the depot at Exeter I was told that a replacement
would be brought down by transporter by 12.30. The trip was back on!
3pm saw us doing the obligatory photos in front of the waymarker
signs (see photo) at Lands end and then with no real fan fair we started
riding. Seems obvious now that the trip would have to begin with us getting
on our bikes and cycling but it felt strange and if I'm honest, a little
scary to be finally on our way. I guess my main worry was that I'd get
10 miles down the road and realise it was too tough. Stupid really what with
all the training and as it turned out, totally unfounded. The riding to
Penzance was pleasant and undulating and we all did our best to restrain ourselves
from thrashing it on the first day to make up for last time. We stuck to
the 20 mile rule (no pedalling when going down hill at more than 20 mph
- energy saving tactic) and were soon climbing away towards Redruth and
on to Truro. We had been warned by many that the Cornish hills are a killer
but I think we all found them manageable if not exactly easy. Just dropped
the bike into a low gear and spun our way to the top. Again, sounds obvious
but better than trying to slog it out in a higher gear.
I was pleasantly surprised by our progress and we cruised into the camp
site at St Austell at around 7pm after 4 hours (3.40 cycling time) having
held an average speed of 15mph). For the non cyclists amongst you, that's
pretty good for the roads we were on!
Couple of beers and a pizza for dinner this evening as the delayed finish
meant we've had no chance or inclination to go shopping for real food. I think
Ben would go for pizza every evening, varying the toppings to provide a balance
diet but I think we will need fresh veg at some point. Do chips count as one
of my 5 portions of fruit and veg?!
Lovely evening on the campsite with a light breeze keeping the midges at
bay and a rock band playing in the next field. Oh and a fireworks display
has just started somewhere in the town. Mind you I reckon they would need
to start moshing in my tent before it would keep me awake tonight! Looking
forward to a more leisurely ride tomorrow and the trip across Dartmoor which
should be lovely if the weather holds. Now, where did I put those ear plugs...?
--------------------------
Craig Southwell
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