LEJOG DAY 1

 A hot and attritional day

Breakfast at the hotel from 8am meant a slightly later start than we would have liked - but we were never going to miss out on the buffet breakfast that was included in the room price.

A quick photo at the signpost and said our goodbyes to Roger and Margaret, before setting off.

Thanks to them both for driving our car back for us. Their parting offer of "if you get stuck or anything, just call us and we'll come and pick you up, except Thursday, we're busy on Thursday" provided us with much amusement.

The morning ride to Penzance was lovely. Tracy's highlight of the day, a few hills, wonderful views and some traffic free paths along the coast.

Above Penzance 

Loving the flat cycle paths

Onwards to Hayle and a coffee and cake stop at Phillip's pasty shop. Awesome.

First cake of the day

Twenty plus miles in and we were feeling confident. Our LEJOG cycle jerseys gaining beeps of encouragement from passing motorists and a source of conversation with people walking on the NC3 at Penzance.

The lovely morning ride continued on the path at Hayle, watching fish on the shallows of the estuary and ducks on the mudflats. Life is good.

Hayle estuary 

Continuing on the NC3 past Camborne and Redruth was flatter than Cornwall deserved to be and we passed many reminders of Cornwall's industrial heritage. All good 35 miles in, getting a bit warm, but all ok. We stopped for food at Twelveheads near Bissoe at a cafe called Bon Appetit. A warm welcome and wonderful food if you are ever passing. No pictures as we were too hungry! This section of the trail we had ridden before with our kids on tag-alongs. Many moons ago now, but nostalgic for us.

Redruth 

And then the afternoon happened. Relentless climbs in the heat that seemed to get steeper every time. Tracy had to resort to the lowest gear (get off and push) a few times and our target of 10mph was firmly out the window, along with a 5 o'clock finish.

Onwards and (seemingly) forever upwards we rode. A small respite at the King Harry's ferry, as we crossed the Fal, before climbing up from the river once more.

King Harry ferry 

Maybe go through Truro instead to avoid climbing up from the river

Onwards we climbed, even accruing the pitying stares of motorists as the beleaguered duo limped past on the hills.

On through small villages with interesting but somehow forgettable names, past the Lost Gardens of Heligan to pick up the NC3 once more. Only we got confused and ended up on a muddy track downhill, where Tracy had a close encounter with a puddle. She may have said some bad words.

Locating the right path was rewarded with a fabulous descent on a decent surface down the the Pentewan road. By this point Tracy was done. We had covered more miles than were planned (we need to remember to add 10% of our distance each day to avoid this disappointment) and emotionally she had had enough. She had gone quiet. Never a good sign.

Onwards to St Austell, where we managed to find our accommodation (eventually). A shower, a drink and a change of clothes and we both started to feel human again. A stroll into town for dinner and I am not proud of this, but we went to Wetherspoon's. First time since way before lockdown. Trouble is, the food was cheap and quick. The beer was priced from a previous decade, I could get used to it 

Back to our B&B. Tracy is now sound asleep.

Day 2 - St Austell to Launceston, planning an earlier start in the morning, shorter distance, less climbing and feeling more positive - after all tomorrow is a new day.

Miles covered: 63

Elevation 4843ft

Cake of the day Rhubarb and strawberry slice

Tracy whinge factor 4/10 (for silently not whinging, loudly)