The forecast for strengthening southeasterly winds during the morning, gusting to 30mph, had us a bit worried.  Jock got the bacon on really early, and we set off in the half light to the sound of stags roaring, anticipating a prolonged struggle against the wind for the last 50 miles.   

The run across the moors and down Strath Naver was cold, fast and exhilerating, with views across to the northern mountains Foinaven, Ben Hope and Ben Loyal.  After a brief snack stop in an inhospitable car park in Bettyhill, the battle commenced with numerous hills to ascend as we crossed all the river valleys along the north coast, buffetted by the wind but brief interludes of shelter in the valleys.

A welcome coffee stop at Melvich restored some energy.  Here also it was good to meet up again with fellow End to End cyclist Brian McClaughlin (last seen in Chester), who stopped by to wish us well on his return home after completing his ride the previous day see http://briansbigbikerun.blogspot.com/.

Another suprise meeting was Steve and Sue from Strathdon.  Steve had dusted down his touring bike to join us for a section of the final day.  

Next welcome break from the buffetting wind the was Tempest Cafe on the harbour front Thurso, then the final push for JOG, under darkening skies and cold showers.

The adventure finished at 16.54pm.  After photos and cracking open some bubbly with Mahri, Isobel, Ellas Mum and Dad and Maria, we adjorned to the Seafield Hotel for some celebratory drinks.   Then back on the bikes for a last time into the dark to locate the John O’Groats Guest House, which seemed to be up a hill, and further away than we thought.  Here we were joined by Lillian and Cath with more Champagne and cake, before heading back to the hotel for a meal and a few more celebratory drinks.

We would like to offer a huge  thank you for all of you who have been supporting us, with your comments and encouragement, the schoolchildren for their cards the donations of  goodies for the food rations, and those of you who turned up to meet us at various points along the route.

Thanks also to the Staff and Children at Altham St James Church of England Primary  School for their welcome and hospitality.

Finally a  big thank you also to Mahri and Isobel, for the van support, the daily shopping and the superb cooking.
 

 

 

 

Lunchtime update, 1pm Thurso – Hi to everyone especially Strathdon school.

A few random comments from around the table:
We saw deer running alongside us in the early morning light.
Beautiful golden autumn colours and gorgeous sky lines.
Big surf on the north coast beaches as we pass.
A lot of us are thinking of turning around and cycling back down to Lands End – I guess we just don’t want it to end.
Coldest, windiest day so far; probably a good time to stop, but feels good making progress in such bad conditions.
Snuffles says, “My ears are sore from flapping in the wind”!
Finished our coffees and heading back on the road again for the last push. from Thurso to John o’ Groats

Stayed at the Blackrock Bunkhouse, Evanton last night, notable for it’s ‘DO NOT’ posters every where. Fortunately we were allowed sleep, (quite comfortably as it happens).

Only 46 miles to cover today so started a little later. Cool conditions, (a smattering of early snow visible on Ben Wyvis) and mercifully no rain and little wind.

First stop, called in to see old friend, Al Currie at the Highland Council Community Service centre at Alness, where clients make garden furniture and mosaics from recycled materials. The quality is extraordinarily good. These are then sold on through charity shops, all profits going to the charities. In the recent past bicycles have been recycled from junked parts. They have shown great resourcefulness; all materials have to be sourced wherever they can be found (dumps, building site waste, rejected tiles etc). They’re hoping to exhibit one of the mosaics in the Scottish Parliament in the near future. We found the visit inspirational. We’d like to thank all the people who took time to talk to us about their work.

After Alness we headed on to Bonar Bridge over the Struie and along the Dornoch Firth. Superb views and happy atmosphere pervaded through our little band. The end is in sight and though we want to achieve what we set out to do, there’s a few of us who would rather carry on; where to? Heaven knows! But we now understand the addictive quality of long distance journeying by bicycle, and all that means.

We stopped in the sunshine at Falls of Shin and met Rowan and his family. The visitor centre provided support in the form of excellent coffees. Many thanks to Carolyn and staff at the Loch Shin Falls Visitor Centre.

Off into the great wilderness of Sutherland, we noticed the occasional smell of peat smoke. A huge vista of gently undulating mosses with mountains on the far rim. The emptiness a huge contrast to anything we had experienced so far.

Eventually arrived at the Crask Inn cottage; a wee huddle of buildings in a beautiful void. The cottage is small, basic and bothy like but wonderfully warm and homely.

The weather forecast isn’t great for our last day – mainly rain and ESE winds gusting to 30 mph. Wish us luck.

Outside, Stags roar into the night.

Usual caffufle (some argument over the spelling) getting started in the morning, but eventully got away less than 30 minutes late. We were joined today by Eric Pirie, from Glenmore Lodge: just as well as we needed some help getting through the busy parts of Inverness.

Notably cooler, feels like a seasons change fron Cornwall. We have to think more about layers to wear each day. More leaves on the road mean more care cornering, (well most of the time).

After Carrbridge there’s a notable lack of cafes, but lucky us, we met Isobel with flask of coffee and Clara’s cake just before the Slochd.

We must be getting fitter, the summit of the Slochd passed easily and a glorious but cool downhill ensued towards Moy. Cruising down the Findhorn and eventually up towards Culloden we stopped briefly at the ancient and impressive archeological remains at Clava Cairns. Standing stones and barrow cairns lay below a beech woodland.

Dropping into Inverness we mistakenly cycled through the shopping precinct (not advised) and beat a retreat around the docks to the very windy and surprisingly uphill Kessock Bridge. Crossing the Great Glen Fault brought on another stop for coffee followed by a scenic ride along the North side of the Beauly Firth. The sun came out and lifted the chill. Finally followed the north side of the Cromarty Firth to Evanton; great views across the firth to the Black Isle, and in the distance the semisub oilrigs moored for maintenance off Invergordon and Nigg.

Incidents: Jack picked up a large staple in his tyre. Richard came a cropper after most of the Lonach Highwaymen tried to fit through the same small narrow gap in a fence at the same time. You’d think we know by now.

Like a well oiled machine we roll into action again, forgetting items needed for the day, trying to decide which direction to head in, where’s the sandwiches and how many of us there are supposed to be?

Jock persuaded the local butcher to donate an unfeasibly large bone to Monty, the ferociously friendly Labrador. Happy dog!

Andy, (a friend of Jim and Mahri’s), joined us on the ride as far as Blair Atholl.
Liz joined Isobel in the van today and Mahri cycled.
Coffee stop at posh House of Bruar.

A gentle trundle close to the A9, again by cycle tracks and quiet roads was carried on through what the met office optimistically called ‘light rain’….Rising up towards the Drumochter Pass the rain ceased but a cold wind was met head on slowing the party. Hitting a rocky puddle, Jack was deflected into a bridge parapet at speed and looked likely to pitch over into the river below. A shaky moment! Bent handlebars were straightened and our little band set off again. The hills grew higher and closed in; we’re in the Highlands now.

After a group photo at the summit of the Drummochter, and dodging the horrendously fast lorries on the A9 crossing the road back to our bikes, we set off the gentle but fast downhill to Dalwhinnie. Great track with just enough fairground undulations to bring on great big smiles. For the first time on the journey we were passed by our support van – lots of horn blowing and photos.

Dalwhinnie is twinned with Las Vegas, but is somewhat smaller, is less well lit and has a paucity of casinos. We didn’t have time to enquire whether Elvis lookalike ministers officiated quick marriages, but we did stop at the Dalwhinnie hotel for coffee and buns by an open fire.

The sun came out and the wind finally shifted to behind our backs and a wonderful ride was had to Newtonmore, Kingussie, and on to the ruins of Ruthven Barracks, a reminder of General Wade as was the road we followed. Paul had a near second chain incident when a tell tale clicking revealed a link with a displaced pin. A quick repair was affected, but a growing lack of confidence meant early retirement for the chain was imminent.

The ride swooped on – Tromie Bridge, Insh, Inverdruie; all autumn russet colours. Stopped at Rothimurchus café for yet more coffee and scones before the last blast to Boat of Garten arriving at 5.00pm. A warm welcome from the owners of Fraoch Lodge with a giant pot of tea and a blazing open fire. We received brilliant new cards made by the Strathdon pupils and tasty chutney from Elsie (thanks Elsie, it really works). We had a we had an invasion of Strathdon visitors. Cath, Maria and Gill who had just finished walking the West Highland Way and rushed down to say hello and Chris. Well done to them! So it was the perfect time for Clara to arrive with the most delicious giant cake.
Another great day.

Another early start again, straight into the Edinburgh rush hour. Fortunately we had local knowledge:

Jack be nimble
Jack be quick,
Get us through Edinburgh,
Double quick.

Our rapid exit from Edinburgh felt like a cross between the Monaco Grand Prix and the ‘Italian Job’ complete with underpasses and steps. We crossed the alarmingly vibrating Forth Road Suspension Bridge and stopped for a mid bridge photo shoot. A pale hazy morning sun reflecting bronze off the surface of the Forth. The rail bridge remains dressed in protective pyjamas while everlasting maintenance work is carried out.

Quickly through Fife, into Perth and Kinross and stopped at the Lissen Pottery, Milnathort (friends of Ella) for coffee and doughnuts; thanks Dave.

Great riding through Glen Farg to Bridge of Earn and onto Perth. Passed by the docks in Perth, bigger than I expected, particularly being so far from the sea. Large stacks of timber. Continued along the riverside and into the park for lunch alongside the Tay. Watched ducks and a salmon leap (sign of getting closer to the Highlands). Followed cycle tracks and wee roads, playing hide and seek with the busy A9.

It was quite cold after lunch; the sun obscured by a thin veil of high cloud, so we pedalled fast to try and get warm. Rushing up hill and crunching gear changes Paul broke his chain (his first repair). Helping hands got the show going again in minutes. Flew up the rollery coastery lanes of Strath Tay towards Dunkeld where we stopped for teas and coffee at Palmerstons, and visited the cathedral, and an enormously tall tree. Saw ‘Ella’s Shop’! Finally rolled into Pitlochry with a last steep uphill to get to the hostel, tea and the day’s second tall stack of doughnuts. Seventy nine miles completed.

Snuffles had a flying visit to PGL at Dalguise, where many Strathdon children have visited over the years.

Other events:
Snuffles in a bit of trouble after being caught interfering with Jock’s gear cables; ‘so no excuses tomorrow, Jock’.

Jim was overtaken by
- 1 train
- 78 cars
- 4 helicopters
- 1 slow flying Tornado
- 52 times by Downhill Diva, (Ella).

Short day tomorrow; only 70 miles!

Whose legs are whose?  Answers will be published at the end of the ride. You can send your guesses to liz.burn@btinternet.com

 

First of all, apologies to Kailzie Bunkhouse for not making it to Peebles!
That’s enough comfortable living for now. Storms have past and so we’re on the road again trying to fit planned three days into two. Beautiful but chilly morning for an 0730 start leaving Sauchs Farm for Edinburgh through the Borders and Southern Uplands in one long day. Rick the stick, Nav man, Prince of the Road, Downhill diva, Jocky Smokestop, Wee Jimmy and Ballywasp crossed the border after a few miles, had a dram and flew the Saltire.

Reached Hawick by 10.00am for a great bacon butty. No punctures, no breakdowns so must be doing something right! However Nav man managed to get lost and parted temporarily from the rest of the Highwaymen. How does one miss a complete town?…best not to ask. Lunch in Galashiels (in a field for Navman) and a blast down South Clark Street and North Bridge through the heart of Edinburgh to the hostel in Leith walk. 88 miles done in good time. A smiling Jack was greeted at the YH door by Rona and Russel who had been tracking us on their I phone. A pleasant evening with visits from family(s); Liam, Ruth, Euan and Mhairi and Amy and Malcolm. A modern, comfortable 3 storey city hostel.
The 88 miles to Edinbugh had rolled by easily after our rest day (due to weather). A fantastic days ride through the Southern Uplands

Due to the high winds the riders decided it would be best to stay another night at the wonderful Saughs Farm.

Due to horrendous weather in the borders (70 mph winds) we have had to revise our route and go directly to Edinburgh tomorrow.
The accommodation at Saughs Farm is superb so the best possible place to be stranded for a day.
The plan is to increase our daily mileages so we will still be arriving at JOG on the 9th.
We’re all feeling a bit tired so a day off will be good -need to do more bike maintenance-Jack had broken spokes but we have had no punctures now for three days!!

Jim has penned a song for the road and here’s how it goes:

To be sung in the style of Johny Cash

1. I hear that breakdown coming
It’s coming round the bend
Is it Ric’s tyres or Alistair’s back-end?
chorus
Oh I’m cycling on this highway
with the high-way-men
and I hear that breakdown comin
I surely hope it mends
chorus
I hear that breakdown comin
It’s comin round the lane
Is it Jack’s gears or Paul’s carbon frame?
chorus
I hear that breakdown coming
It’s coming round the track
Is it Ella’s singing or Jock’s sore back?
chorus
I smell that food a cookin
It’s smellin very good
Is it Mahri’s spag bol or Izzy’s pud?
chorus

Here’s a bike anagram quiz .
Prize for 1st Strathdon pupil with all the right answers!
mri
lalan kye
peatosst
rediallure
peloctis
snaperin
shewel
renin buet
kessop
shrablend
rages
daleds
gradudums
totkoil
skaber
lebl
strefrocel
rage veler
splade
narck
refam
froks
hanic
seryt
ghistl
mupp
prenucut
daldes
blaces
iccybel

A welcome late start today, as we only had 46 miles through rolling farmland to Bailey.  Raining steadily at breakfast time, but eased off by 10am when we left Dufton Youth Hostel.  Pleasant minor roads skirting  Cross Fell.  Coffee stop at Bramton. Jim in good singing form and Jack getting new bits for his brakes so very happy. Cumbrian road surface top notch quality. This was our first wet day with waterproofs.

Arrived at Sauchs Farm early afternoon, leaving plenty of time for bike maintenance and relaxing in the excellent accomation.

Great big thank you to all at Altham primary for their wonderful hospitality ! A visit with the children and a photo by the local press of the highwaymen, schoolchildren, Snuffles, Barnaby and Monte.

The whole school cheered and waved us off at 9.30am.Weather cold but clear with a 77mile ride ahead. We avoided the most direct route over the very steep Nick of Pendle and headed from Lancashire into Yorkshire and the Dales National park famous for it’s limestone scenery. Ella entertained with a Wiggle on her bike at Wigglesworth.  Followed Ribblesdale all morning until reaching the highest point of the journey so far, where we had lunch in front of the ribblesdale viaduct. 

Great downhill run into the top of Wensleydale. The final 6 miles  for the ‘manificent seven’ was, through the Ministry of defence rifle range.( without being shot at or arrested by the military police) reached Dufton YH after a good but hard day. We are half way there !

Left the backpackers hostel at 0845 and into the rush hour traffic out of Chester. Long day ahead, 79 miles and a deadline of 6pm at Altham school near Accrington for a school dinner. Weather forecast not great – rain expected for the first time.

Worked our way north through the industrial built up areas of West Lancashire famous for their cotton mills. Crossed a historic toll bridge over the Manchester Ship canal at which traditionally transported the cotton to the mills.

Stopped at Bridge Farm at the wonderful Davenports farm shop and tea room with 7 flavours of coffee to choose from. After some fine cake and a donation to the charity from the owners we were on our way once more.

On a great downhill Snuffles overtook Ella, (the downhill Diva) but only because he was in Go-Faster mode with his ears tied up.

Drizzle upon us we headed north with our heads down kept going through the busy traffic section by the thought of that school dinner. No breakdowns or punctures for the first time.

The highwaymen met a warm welcome from the staff and a human sized stuffed bear on their arrival at St James’s Church of England primary school. We were immediately plied with coffee and home made Eccles cakes and chocolate muffins. Shortly afterwards we were sitting in the school hall with a very tasty 2 course dinner during which we were regaled with local folklore and stories of the witches of Pendle Hill.

We were then whisked away to different homes for a very comfortable night – a great relief after the Backpackers Hostel the night before!

Strathdon School has an established link with St James’s through Janet Patterson who works at the school and has a cottage in Corgarff.

Jock happy as he has new cleats in his shoes and Alistair thinks the gel saddle is a gift from heaven. Jack now known as steady Jack and Paul courting a great relationship with his GPS.

Everyone fit and well and thoroughly enjoying the ride.

 

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Left the beautiful setting of Clun YHA in glorious sunshine in 2 groups. Jim, Jock and guest cyclists Matty and Mahri in group 1 with their own agenda of catching up with old Bigfoot Instructor Moz and his family in Pontsbury for coffee then meeting with Ella, Rick, Alistair, Paul and Jack in Baschurch village green for tea and cakes which was brought to us by an old friend of Jocks, Yoland. Fantastic morning ride through the hills and long downhill the other side to the Cheshire Plain. Matty won getting up to a speed of 48 mph.
Lovely raspberry and chocolate muffins, Yoland!
Whilst chilling out on the village green waiting for Isobel and the van a passing BBC Shropshire radio reporter spotted the Spandex and curiosity got the better of her. This resulted in an interview due out on the radio that night.
A phone call from YHA Chester with the news of an outbreak of Swine Flu caused the village green to resemble a communications depot as everyone got on their phones looking for alternative accommodation for the night. A Backpackers was booked and the team went on their merry way as Mahri took the wheel of the van once more and Matty navigated us to the bike shop in Shrewsbury for more spares.
Isobel had, during the course of her investigation of rural Shropshire stumbled accross Rosie, keeper of the Arbor Tree traditions http://http://www.arbortreeday.co.uk/
Change in the weather during the afternoon with an uneventful and puncture free ride to Chester.
Evening brought family visits from Pauls sister Helen and neice Rhiannon from Llannefydd, Ellas brother Lee, Rick’s sister Ann, Paul, Ste and Tom. Dined out in Chester town centre with its beautiful Tudor buildings and architecture.
Backpackers Hostel rather basic. Met up with Brian in the hostel,another cyclist also going from Land’s End to John O Groats.At the end of the evening Paul realised that they both beenin phone communication regularly in their offshore work for years but never met til then!!

An 8.30 start from Welsh Bicknor YHA after a good nights rest with only a 56 mile day ahead and fine day! A nice easy pace up the Wye valley following mile upon mile of hedgerowed country lanes and pretty villages. Came past Jock’s old workplace,a PGL activity centre alongside the R.Wye. Lunch outside Burlington Golf Club and met up with Teresa and Ann Mason who had been bicycling for 60years-an inspiration! A beautiful autumnal ride through through the rolling Shropshire countryside.( great route planning Rick). Changing landscapes and changing accents as we travel northwards. With time to spare we stopped for 2 healthy bowls of chips . Only two spontaneous punctures today before being chased down on a hill by a giant hedge cutter and its lethal debris.(4cm thorns). Meanwhile the support team, Mhairi and Isobel have the an unheard of uninterrupted lunch in pretty hilltop town Ross on Wye and shopped for necessary bike parts (got to keep these wheels rollin’), a hillock of local sausages and the regular supermarket visit.
First four days have been a blur of activity but day five straightforward with early finish and time for some serious bike repairs and maintenance before supper and even a visit to the local inn, joined by Matty Craig, a local friend of Jim and mairi’s. The daily routine is panning out with 8am start for a longer day, porridge, checking bike, sorting food and drink for the day, packing up and stripping bunkbeds, checking route plan,clearing up hostel and repacking van. Evening sorting storing bikes and showering ,planning route, set GPS, evening meal and discussion of days events noting events in the diary, for the web blog. Check website, comments and donations . Check weather forecast .
Great to arrive at Clun Youth Hostel (4.45pm) in time to do some routine maintenance. No major breakdowns for a change and another great day.

Leaving the Somerset Levels and Cider behind, we spent Saturday night in a 1904 Chalet type Hostel at Street near the ancient Glastonbury Tor of Arthurian Legend.

After a cramped and noisy Saturday night we woke up to a cool, magical and misty Sunday morning. Jock, of course up at postie time and the rest of us now into the routine of an early start. Another big day ahead, and Rick sported the first puncture immediately before setting off, followed by Jock’s tyre blowing out within 5 minutes of leaving the hostel, and shortly after Jack’s chain snapped, more punctures and a grand explosion which turned out to be Jim’s tyre, now shredded. This dominating theme is the result of extensive council hedge trimmimg, a large proportion of which are tyre loving blackthorn. We now know what a recently trimmed thorn hedge smells like.

Not a promising morning. An SoS call back to the support van for spare tyre resulted in a tour of the warren of country roads in the Mendips and many phone conversations. Broken cyclists eventually tracked down and tyres quickly changed. The team regrouped at the Chew Valley Lake, all smiles and where a Canadian lady, who had met Jock on the train travelling down to Penzance, spotted our van and came over with her friends to say hello to SNUFFLES; small world!

A visit to the tiny walled city of Wells and it’s magnificent cathedral, and a fantastic run over the Mendips (home of Cheddar Gorge, of cheese fame) in the sunshine lifted spirits. We continued down into Bristol over the famous Telford’s Clifton Victorian suspension bridge over the River Avon then the modern massive suspension bridge over the Severn Estuary. We weaved our way in and out of Wales following the scenic Wye valley past ruins of Tintern Abbey and over Offas Dyke until reaching the ancient forest of Dean. Crossing a tiny footbridge over the Wye to an old converted vicarage YHA at Welsh Bicknor (in England!).

Opportunity to recoup, relax, a peaceful night in an empty hostel. Wonderful visit from old friends, Beatrice and Roger from over the border in the Brecon Beacons shared our supper bringing along their yummy home grown fruit crumbles. Big shopping list of bike spares needed but an excellent day -87miles

Today we rode 84 miles which is the longest of the days planned, but we are all worrying that tomorrow will be harder as it is due to be 77 miles and we are all feeling a bit tired.

We rode through the most beautiful part of rural England, with sunken lanes and thatched cottages just like the picture postcards. A few miles after passing through Crediton we realised we should have stopped for coffee so we asked a lady in her garden where the next coffee shop would be. We were told “not for miles” but as we rode off she shouted after us and invited us into her garden for coffee and cake as we were doing the ride for charity. That made the day.

Ella, Jock and Richard all got punctures. Jock got a broken spoke and Jack a broken chain. However Jim seems to be a master mechanic and is able to fix anything! At one point we had to cross the main railway line so the bikes had to be picked up and carried. Ella says she is starting to get legs of oak.

Day 2. A few facts: 59.9 miles, average speed 12.3 mph, max speed 34.2 mph, accumulated height gained 1743 metres (5688 ft).

Great days cycling. Left Treyanon Bay about 9:30 through a cool but very pleasant morning. Legs felt surprisingly OK. After a short few miles we wheeled into the very pretty seaside town of Padstow. We passed by Rick Stein’s famous Seafood Restaurant, but unfortunately 10 o’clock was too early to stop for a Lobster lunch. We boarded the Padstow – Rock pedestrian ferry for the short crossing of the Camel Estuary. Many thanks to the crew who hearing of our cause, gave us a free crossing. The cycling eastwards passed through a different t landscape from the yesterday; more open rolling hills with extensive views to the sea and up to the great granite mounds, first of Bodmin Moor and later Dartmoor.

A fruitless search for a cycle museum (marked on the tourist map) was abandoned in favour of a cup of coffee from a roadside burger van (still too early for lunch!). A quick check of the bikes revealed several very loose spokes on Jock’s back wheel and a marked buckle. Fearing that Snuffles might be hurt in a potential collapsing wheel incident, we carried out temporary repairs, (just enough to get to Okehampton).

The hills after Launceston seemed to grow longer and harder (or we were just getting more tired) and at the top of one we stopped for a short break. We were visited by a tame siskin, which sat on Richard’s handlebars (he new the bird watcher!) completely at ease amongst the surrounding humans. A moment later a car drew up; a support vehicle for a man doing a charity walk for Mencap from Newcastle to Launceston. From nowhere a kind man offered to refill our water bottles, (the kindness of strangers). We eventually wheeled off and crossed from Cornwall into Devon.

Shortly before Okehampton we came across a pub called the Highwaymen with a giant cut out of the famous Dick Turpin and a large carved horse, (presumably Bess). Probably fortunate that the pub was closed preventing the Lonach Highwaymen from going in to…er, compare notes.

The final few miles were along a flat (Hooray!) splendid cycle track along a former railway line.

Tonight we have the youth hostel all to ourselves. The evening was spent bike fettling. Jock’s spokes were tightened up and his rear wheel trued, loosing it’s former banana shape. Various gear problems have been solved ready for tomorrow’s very long ride.

We had another marvellous meal and it’s time we thanked everybody back in Strathdon for all the wonderful provisions they contributed.

We have an early start tomorrow and have a mixture of anticipation and trepidation for the coming long and testing day.

D- day. After checking the bikes, breakfast, making packed lunches and general preparation, a bus transported us to Lands End and the start of our journey. The obligatory photos at the sign post were taken and shortly after we rolled away from Lands End in a clatter of nervous missed gear changes.

Almost immediately into the maze of small Cornish country lanes; these were very hilly and it quickly became evident that for every pleasurable 2 minutes whizzing down hill there was a corresponding 15 minutes of heavy hauling up the next rise. This rollercoaster theme persisted all day.

We past through some very pretty villages, particularly Mousehole and St Buryan, very green wooded valleys like Lamorna . Most lanes were grown over with trees through which the roads appeared to tunnel. One of the deeper valleys had fords where rivers crossed the road and which fortunately were very shallow; although jock pointed out the 6 foot pole complete with (very) high water marks.

On the narrowest lane we met the largest tractor and trailer. Fortunately he stopped and let us squeeze through the very narrow crevasse like gap between the trailer and the tall overgrown wall lining the lane. The gap was so narrow that there were problems getting the handle bars through.

We passed through the old tin mining towns of Cambourne and Redruth around which there were old engine houses and chimneys from late 1800s. One was still working complete with an ancient working steam beam engine. Towards the end of the ride we could see the white hills of china clay pits at St Austell.

Jock and Paul supplemented their packed lunches with flys caught on the move. I guess swallows would appreciate them more. Later the insects got teir own back; a wasp stung Jock on the knee.

We managed to get lost once and added an extra 5 miles to the journey. Richard got a puncture and being really nice people we waited for him to catch up (actually we really appreciated the rest!).

70.4 miles later we rolled into the very pretty Treyarnon Bay, a beautiful sunset and a cosy Youth Hostel. Lucky us – Mahri and Isobel had prepared a large, delicious feast.

See here for a detailed view of the day’s track. http://www.instamapper.com/trk?key=15287668193813919923

Came from far and wide (or so it seems) and in dribs and drabs. First arrivals 1300 hrs, last 2200 hrs (we thought Jock had been abducted by aliens). All safe and sound in Penzance YHA and looking forward, with some excitement, to tommorrow’s adventures. Did Jim remember to bring the bikes?

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