Day 7 Bodmin to Land's End

We made it! This was our last day. After looking at the maps the night before we realised that the quickest way from Bodmin to Land's End was along the A30, all the way. We set off at about 9 a.m. joining heavy traffic on a windy and wet dual carriageway. This wasnt the best place to be during poor visibility. We had quite a few dicey moments where cars and lorries were flying past us at 70 mph just a few feet away, and in some instances it felt more like inches. When the lorries pass, you get a huge gust of wind which can either push you from behind or the side. The verges are also full of rocks, glass and debris. We had to concentrate very hard to keep the wheels straight. The added adrenaline must have helped as we covered our first 50 km by lunch (pasties of course), which was just at the end of the dual carriageway. Traffic was heavy due to it being a friday and schools are just starting to break up for the summer.

 

After a quick break in Hayle, we went up and over the pennisular to Penzance to prepare for the last leg. There were quite a few sharp hills on the ascent to Land's End from Penzance. We found them very hard as 6 days of intense riding was seriously taking its toll on our legs. Once we levelled off on the last 5 miles, we could see the end and the sheer joy of finishing helped to propel us along at quite a good clip.

 

Coming into Land's End was a fabulous feeling; joy, relief and exhaustion. I still had enough energy to attempt a few weak wheelies at the finish line though. Once we unclipped for the last time, John had a bottle of bubbly waiting us and the celebrating began in earnest. Did we want to get back on the bikes and head the other way? No.

 

Distance Covered: 93 km

Saddle time: 5 hours

Champagne consumed: 1 bottle

 

We spend the night in Bodmin. We had a curry (no energy food! yes!) and a few jars of ale to relax the muscles. Driving back to Cheshire I am starting to realise the scale of this ride. In a car it seems impossible that you could cover vast distances and climb big hills on a bike. I have really enjoyed the ride, bad days and good. We have seen some beautifiul countryside, met some very friendly and generous people. The nights spent at campsites, hotels and pubs enjoying a good laugh will stay with me forever.

 

Lowestoft to Lands End Final Stats

 

Days Riding: 7

Days off: 0

Distance covered: 800 km (500 miles)

Total Saddle Time: 43 hours

Punctures: 2

Falls: 3

 

Time for the thank you's. Thanks to John Welsh, for driving (~ 1500 miles), sorting accomodation, organising food and putting up with us for the last seven days. Thanks to Maile for taking time off work to support us and help John. Thanks to our wives for putting up with all the training runs and spending money on bike bits. Thanks to all of you who have given us words of encouragement and sponsorship money. We should exceed our goal by next week. I think its time for a day of rest and relaxation, until the next challege?

 

Chuck