First post of trip

leJoG blog Challenge 2010

Sunday 23rd May 2010

I am writing this 2 days after the event as time has just been completely absorbed with cycling.

On the positive - the weather has been glorious - the scenery magnificent - the company inspiring. On the negative, the organisation could have been better - the timing quite Latin for 5 northern europeans - the rides absolutely gruelling - the hills through Cornwall so steep that you struggle to cycle down them yet alone find that last drop of energy to go up them - only to find that you've covered 20 miles instead of 50 with still 70 to go.

We set off from our Lands End Youth Hostel - finally at 12pm - we were ready at 8am but in the name of team we waited for Jorrin to sort out his bike - he rebuilt his bike from Ian's as his wheels had been crushed en route. This after having arrived the night before because of a combination of car troubles - yes Ollie's Saab decided not to start - unheard of - and having to visit PC World for SD cards for the cameras - very late at 10pm. So, no time but to eat quickly then sleep.

Andrea & I had travelled down on Friday morning - deciding wisely to drive rather than catch the train. We had a lovely time. My cousin Tony offered us his house in Falmouth for the night even though he was away. We managed to catch up with his sister Pam and her daughter Angela who made tea and Cornish saffron buns - yum! Then on Friday evening we met up with my other cousin John and his charming wife Lisa. We all jelled well and had a very tasty fish meal down in Falmouth. On Saturday we had a leisurely day buying last minute things before trotting off to St Just near Lands End Youth Hostel. We checked out Lands End visitors centre as we couldn't check in before 5pm. Then we had Spag Bol - perfect before a long cycle ride. And waited - watched the sun go down - and waited - and waited some more - then got ready for bed. Then just as I had given up they arrived.

Its a miracle that 4 people plus 4 bikes and all the kit & food managed to squeeze into Ollie's Saab. Aparently, this was another reason for delay.

Anyway - once we said our goodbyes to Andrea - who'd decided as it was so late now not to visit the Eden Project but just go straight home to London. We set off & at the first junction the Garmin disagreed with Jorrin's route. He complained but Ollie & Dirk followed me.

Later in Penzance we bumped into Jorrin. He then tried to manipulate us into going to the Eden Project but we knew that this would add 30 miles onto an already long journey to Tintagel plus EP closes at 6pm & we wouldn't make it - so we made our excuses & cycled off to Tintagel via St Ives (lunch in pub) & Newquay - absolutely stunning. Jorrin meanwhile had decided to stick to his plan & he & Ian went round EP & met the MD - but in so doing didn't turn up at Tintagel until 10pm by which time having all of our clothes, food & equipment in the car meant that we had to beg, borrow, steal to have a shower, keep warm & feed ourselves - all of which was possible thanks to two lovely volouteer workers at Tintagel.

Mileage 98 but felt like 150.

Predictably, having arrived late - jorrin was once again last up the next morning & we were all ready to leave at 8am but stood around while he made us feel guilty for waiting despite us all having cleaned the kitchen, emptied our rooms, packed the car - he still wasn't ready to leave unti 10am by which time our patience ran out. So, we just left again.

Monday turned out even more gruelling than Sunday with us covering 130 miles from Tintagel in Cornwall to Street, near Glastonbury.

Again to be part of the team we stopped off at Witherton to meet Tom an amazing para-olympian cyclist. But it did make us really late arriving into Street at 10pm. Ian had come up trumps - made dinner - all really appreciated. 130 miles that day - Dirk got saddle sore.

Clearly, the next day we didn't want a repeat of Monday so having been joined by Deuan from London - Ollie, Deuan & I set off at just after 8am. Dirk had injured himself so had decided not to participate that day.

Just after 9am we received a call to say that Jorrin & Ian had decided to go home to London. With Ollies car! Ollie was outraged.

Ollie went his own way to try & meet them & we agreed to rendez-vous in Winford just South of Bristol - worthy mention here is the Waterloo Pub where they do a mean breakfast - Deuan & I both concurr.

Anyway, we finally all met up in Chepstow (lunch in Limetree by St Marys Church) where Jorrin & I had a big show down. He accusing me of not being a team player while me accsing him of simply not being ready early enough. They had come in the car.

Then we decided to re-convene in Abergeveny. When I finally composed myself to cycle, Ollie &a Deuan had disappeared. So, I cycled alone up through the Pen-y-cae mawr moutainous woods. By the time I arrived they had all decided to stay, continue & go camping..

Thank fully I was booked in to the Llanthony Priory Hotel. Where I am now having washed & dinned superbly ready for what tomorrow brings. Notable mention here are Jeff & Harri (Female) who run the Priory - very friendly - locked my bike up & are coming in early to make me breakfast.

Mileage 98.