Lands end
The final day, began with another late start, 12 again but my decision this time. I set out for the a30, which turned out to be a big mistake. It was horrendously busy and when it narrowed not much fun. There were a few steep climbs that I had flattened out in my memories of driving along the road before, but I finally made it to chiverton roundabout near Truro. My first stage had been difficult, but I was feeling pretty good physically and bouyed by the fact that it was my last day. I pulled off the a30 and headed towards blackwater and Redruth, stopping to meet my mum near a roundabout for some lunch. From Here things just got better, I felt able to relax into the ride towards Camborne, hayle and finally Penzance. I made good time and whilst not pushing massively hard, I felt in the zone and was moving quickly and with purpose. The stretch between Redruth and hayle took me through a lot of my old turf. It was strange to go through barripper, carnhell green. Places that I had spent much of my formative years. They hadn’t changed much. From hayle I set off on the cycle route to lands end, I had cycled it before with my mate tim, which had been an immensely enjoyable ride. So in effect it felt like I had a travel companion for the first time in my journey. The territory was familiar which I really enjoyed. I passed through Penzance and out to lamorna quickly, before things started to get hilly again. What did amaze me, and was truly the first time that I could check it, was that the hills just fell away beneath me. Areas that I had struggled on in one of my final training rides had seemed almost like nothing. I was a bit surprised by how much fitter I had become. I slipped into lands end about 6:30, as always my 6 o’clock estimation was out, it seemed I was back on Cornish time. I floated into the carpark expecting to see people around the start/finish line. But the place was deserted? I circled the line for a bit, hoping that Kim or my family were waiting at their cars, no joy. On another pass, a couple on a tandem excitedly came into view, they were finishing too, after a short conversation, we crossed the line together. Stopping to share tales and get photos. I still eyed my surroundings for anyone I knew, but no joy. Finally I got a phone call suggesting I head into the park and the first and last house. Shortly after my friend alex appeared on the horizon, I was somewhat confused (but no more than usual) since he had said he wouldn’t be able to make it. He had been waiting at sennon to ride in with me, but missed me because of the route I’d taken. It was a true surprise and fantastic to see him. We mounted our steeds for the last time, myself with a fresh cigarette in hand and nonchalantly rolled into the park, the weather had been perfect a mirror of my first day 3 weeks ago in John O’groats. We followed the line of the coast through the kitch nightmare of lands end, far more touristy than John o’groats. At the furthest point of the country were my friends and family, I hadn’t expected a mass turnout like this and was genuinely surprised and really touched that everyone had come to meet me come in. I had made it, something completely out of my normal field of expertise and I had done it. I was a bit surprised. But I had cycled solo from John o’groats to lands end, via Ireland and Wales. Up massive mountains and little hills, through rain and some sun. With my everything I needed to survive mounted on my bike. I was the one man wolf pack.
Today’s stats: Total distance 1039 miles Days total 56 Avg 10.3 Calories 1806
