Our First Day

After arriving late at the Lands End Hotel last night and of course a little night cap, we woke to the mist over the sea. Little Rob joined us for breakfast after a sleepless night on the sleeper train and after a couple of pots of tea and a few trips to the toilet we left Lands End at about 10am. The ride into Penzance was pretty down hill and we followed the coast round to St Michaels Mount. We then crossed inland and to Cambourne and onto Redruth.

On the outskirts of Cambourne, Lucy ran to Halfords to swap a map (which didn't show any of the roads that we needed) and we rested our bikes on the floor. Just as we went to leave, we heard a ping. "that sounded like a spoke" said Lucy & Rob and indeed it was!! Sian's back wheel had spontaneously buckled into the shape of a pringle and we had a noisy ride on to Redruth to a shop bizzarely where Rob had bought his bike 15years before.

The very helpful chaps in Riccis Bike Chain sold Sian a new wheel and after an hour or so of fixing and drinking (more tea), we were off once more.

We tried hard to avoid the main roads across Cornwall and had some lovely rides downhill. We had been quite impressed with the riding so far and then the tricky hills appeared. After much up and down and not enough food, we spotted a National Trust place and at last Sian's membership came in handy. We restocked on fuel - flapjack, eat natural bars, marzipan and fat coke - and then got on our way.

Eventually after more hills, contending with a double decker bus on a very narrow single track road & steep hill we spotted the sign for home (Treyarnon Bay 2miles). We stopped on the way for fish and chips in St Merryn and made it to the hostel at 7ish.

Not having done enough exercise for the day, we've just been for a walk along the beach and admired the views and the waves - its very exciting being at the seaside - and are now enjoying a cheeky vin rouge before bed. We'll all sleep well tonight!!!

Critical Stats:
Miles: 65; Time Riding: 5hrs 44mins; Cals Burnt: 2818; Punctures: 0; Max Speed: 39.8mph (Rob)

Falls : Sian - 1 after foolishly following Rob through a ford which had a polished granite stone bed and was quite
deep when you fell into it!!; Lucy - 1 (almost) into the nettles afer loosing concentration up a very steep hill!