2009/06/06 - Day 1 - Land's End to Bodmin - 68.98 in 7:01

Windy during night but both slept well. Arghh - sound of rain drops on window in morning. Change of kit plans to cope with wet. Breakfast at 08:00. Team briefing at 9:00 (prompt we were told but wasn't till 9:20) then obligatory group photo at signpost. Set off at 9:55, and started well by cycling out of hotel wrong way into gravel car park. First 'stoker moment' of the day as she reset the computer and i failed to clearly say where the button was.


What can be described about the day? Perm any 3 of rain, no rain, views, downhill and uphill. On the tandem we yoyoed by other riders, faster on the downs but much slower on the ups. Bikeadventures pick a cunning route with no traffic at the expense of descents to rivers then predictably ups. We managed not to walk, but it felt tough, much more so than the Chiltern ride last weekend. 11es at Hayle Fresh Cafe where we overwhelmed the solo server, the americano coffee was insipid, but the toasted tea cakes were OK. Stoker chatted to OAPs who wanted the door open as they were hot. Lunch was a cream tea at Perranporth Dairy shop which consisted of vast vats of cornish clotted cream with little else.


Regretted this as we cycled up a long hill out of the town. Minor chain jam incident dropping of the small cog, but soon fixed. Then it was up,down,up,down..you get the message.

Arrived at Bodmin Westberry Hotel at 18:20 - 69 miles in total - to meet the tour yellow jerseys who had cycled up to the campsite for tea and said they had found it a tough day, which went some way to making us feel better.

New saddle was better for me, with much less numbing of a certain organ. Cherry complained of numb bum so we will swap her saddle tomorrow. Also need to tighten up with brakes and check gear adjustments.

After a weedy shower, had a good Thai meal in hotel, with Peter and chattered about cycling and triathlons. He is very fit. Talked to other BAers including Rita (no tandem due to failed front fork so she is driving a car round the route) and Carl (on his single bike). Shame we hadn't got tandem company.

Sorted out kit, Stoker did some hand washing, well I mean she washed some clothes by hand rather than like Lady Macbeth. Into bed by 22:15.