I'm following the route laid out in my little book, which gives the scenic route and has nice line drawings of bridges and mills and stuff. Today was a bit different as I had to cycle the 10 miles from Penzance to Lands End and then start in earnest (can't be short changing you generous folk now !).
As anticipated by my occasionally wise friend Craig, I arrived at Lands End a bit out of puff and wondering if I had another 60 miles in the tank today.
The hills on the south coast keep coming but the views at each peak offer some encouragement.
Having the wind at my back most of the way was also a bonus, and one for every day with luck. Weather wise, the BBC got it mostly wrong, which was nice as the forecast was rain and general wetness. It was a balmy summers day apart from the odd shower here and there. Anyway, enough weather I hear you say, we want pain and glory, strength and honour!
Well the scariest and also most tedious part of today was schlepping 25 miles on a fast dual carriageway only to be gritted just as I turned off for Bodmin. Thanks Highways agency dude, I love you too!
The best part of today was breaking the speed limit TWICE - 32 in a 30 zone and 41.7 (it all counts!) in a 40 zone. Also having a nice cup of tea put in front of me by Chris the b&b lady who is currently washing my smalls, bless her!
The weirdest part of the day was realising how good it can be to talk to yourself, and how I found myself commenting on the scenery in a bad Welsh accent. Don't ask me why, it just seemed right. Oh, look at that valley, nice trees those bushes, smashin'. etc..
So anyway, Bodmin looks nice, although I've got just about enough energy to go over the road, order a Shish with all the good stuff and pass out for 10 hours. I'm going to try and make time to have a look around a couple of places tomorrow to give me something interesting to say to you lot. Apparently there's a miniature-horse centre where I'm staying tomorrow (so Derek, Chris's husband tells me) so that's on the list. I'll have to stop in Tavistock to have a look at the view of Dartmoor as well. Apparently it's a beauty, and there's a 1000ft climb to get there, so I'll be mainlining Lucosade whilst taking it all in.
Time for some Turkish cuisine, Bodmin style..
H x
It must've been a bloody big curry, Hugh. Look how much you've bulked up in that Lands End picture. Beefcake!
ReplyDeleteHugh, I told you it was possible to break the speed limit! Even with pannier style stabilisers!
ReplyDeleteChloe