Actually, most of yesterday was great, but it just went on and on and on!
Anyway, back to Hayle. Thanks to the two who looked after us in The Italian Kitchen on Sunday evening. We had a really good meal and friendly service. Thanks also to Pauline at the Mad Hatter's B & B - a great night's sleep and a cracking breakfast - a full English + lots of fruit - that's what I call a balanced diet! Anyway, we can happily recommend both places and great for anyone doing LEJOG (or JOGLE).
Back to the cycling. The estimated distance for the day was 76 miles, so double the previous afternoon's distance, and after a leisurely start, refreshed after day one, we initially made good progress, although we were quickly into the fun of Cornish hills and the challenges (for Martin) of following the route through a rabbit warren of obscure lanes. We had the odd detour, stopped several times to ask directions and probably added the odd mile to our route. We stopped in Perranporth for toasted tea cakes and decided that we would have Cornish pasties in Padstow. I was having occasional problems with my chain coming off (v messy), but we dully arrived in Padstow having just made 50 miles for the day.
Having consumed our pasties we just had time for a photo opportunity, the evidence of which is below (sorry Roz if this makes you envious!)
I was feeling pretty happy as we had less than 30 miles to go and we had the flat 13 mile Camel Trail (courtesy of Dr Beeching) ahead of us to take us to Bodmin.
It was fine to Bodmin, but by then reassessing the route, the remaining mileage (and time) started to rise.
The end result, after what seemed like an ever increasing number of mechanical problems (one broken chain then one chain off) and hills (the more tired I got, the more frequent they became and the slower was my progress up them) was that we arrived at Phil and Lesley's in darkness, both front lights having expired (Martin's head torch was used as back up) with our hosts worrying where we had got to.
And the main reason? Remember the estimated mileage for the day at outset was 76 miles. As it worked out, the official, i.e. Martin's recorded, mileage - a mere 90.4! And if you went by mine (my computer's working again) 91.9! So we were about 15 miles over the estimate for the day and about the same distance further than I had ever cycled in one day. Throw in the Cornish hills and it's no wondered I was tired (Martin was fine, but then again he's younger (those 13 days really count) and more importantly, a lot fitter than I am.
Anyway, after beer, wine, a tasting of home made cider under development, lasagne and strawberries and clotted cream, with yours truly struggling to stay awake throughout, we retired for yet another great night's sleep.
Tuesday morning - refreshed and only 55 miles estimated for today (I'll believe that when I see it!). Surely today will be easier. Read the next blog to find out.
P.S. Still having problems uploading photos to the gallery - bear with me!
Ian
