The Other End
Trip Start
May 20, 2012
1
25
Trip End
Jun 17, 2012
Land's End, England, United Kingdom
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Day 22 12th June
St Agnes, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, Penzance, Lands End. Oh!!! then back to Penzance for the train home……
Total 1120miles
We woke to a lovely sunny morning and set off on our planned route for today, we were going to try using more main roads so that we could cycle a bit faster and hopefully not have so many hills to push those bikes up..
We cycled along the B3277, crossed the A30 and on to some back roads that led to the B3047 and we sailed along passed Redruth and Cambourne. Just as we were cycling along Connor Downs we ran into a very heavy rain storm, it was torrential. We stopped to put our rain proofing on but that was pretty pointless as we were already soaked. At Hayle we were doing really well and stopped for a coffee and a discussion on whether to try the A30 to get to Penzance. We gave it a go and found that it was ok, there was a decent hard shoulder along the dual carriageway that we used to keep us out of the traffic. As that had been ok we then decided to continue on the A30 to Lands End, wrong decision!!!. The road had now narrowed, so more traffic pushed into only one lane and there were steep hills with horrible blind corners. Eventually it levelled out and the last 5 miles were flat and roads were wider.
We arrived at Lands End, wet, and hoping that after 1000, miles we were not going to have to pay to get in !!!! No, there was no charge for bikes, we got to the famous sign and this time unlike John O Groats the sign was in place,,,,but you did have to pay if you wanted your photo taken by it. We got out our camera, asked some people to take our pictures and went to the First and Last pub for some lunch. I didn't feel like celebrating too much until we had got back to Penzance as we still had that awful road to cycle back on. We had a look at the map and saw an alternative route, cycle to OK 5 miles then turn right at Crows an Wra and on to country lanes to St Buryan, from there more country lanes to Newlyn and on into Penzance. This was a lovely route, I would recommend it to anyone rather than taking the A30, there is one rather steep hill though if you are heading to Lands End.
So as you can see, we got to Penzance, safe if wet, Roger bought our train ticket home, Newton Abbot, and I went and bought some sparkling wine and chocolates to celebrate our achievement. Arrived home 1930, it was still raining, however, a lovely welcome from our neighbour,,,,see picture.
Thank goodness its over !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments
Well done you two, what a journey. It makes me realise I could never do it - too much eating!!!! We are extremely proud of you both here at PORT-ER and thanks for spreading the word.