Blog Entry Friday 13th May – Day 1 (Blogger was conveniently down!)
Distance – 45.85 miles; Total ascent 3642; Ave speed 10.2 mph; Max speed 37.5mph; Total time in saddle 4 hours 31 minutes.
Russ woke me at around 6.30 where I had been sleeping on his sofa, despite this got a decent night’s sleep. We had a quick cuppa, before gathering our stuff together and then getting the bikes fixed to the bike rack. This took a little longer than anticipated, so we didn’t make Russ’s Mum’s until around 8.30.
Russ’s Mum Ally had kindly offered to drive us to Lands End (approx. 200 miles from Bristol) and supervise our departure. Sandwiches, drinks and energy bars were bestowed upon us too, which was welcome.
Arrived at LE around midday and after about an hour of phaffing around getting prepared (not helped by me putting in a contact lens the wrong way round and Russ thinking he’d forgotten half his gear) we were ready to depart We did the obligatory piccie by the sign posts (without paying) and crossed the ‘start line’ at around 1:06. I was almost immediately overtaken and touched by a knob in a people carrier- seriously not even 25 yards into the bloody run. Let’s hope this never happens again!
Russ had been meticulous in making sure we took cycle routes wherever possible and the first 2 miles was on Route 3 (I think), before meeting up with the A30 for a mile or so and then veering off northwards towards Zennor, St Just etc. A brief shower didn’t dampen our spirits and generally the weather we perfect today. Just a breath of wind, gentle sunshine, but a couple of rain clouds rolled in from the Atlantic and gave us some showers. No complaints I know we’ll get a lot worse before too long!
Some of the climbs today were quite fierce. Even during training I’d never covered more than 2000 upwards feet in any one 50 mile run. I have also discovered that my bike, whilst perfectly balance and set for Audex runs, does not enjoy gear ratios as low as Russ’s bike – a Tourer. This meant that I had to rise up from the saddle for most of the sharper inclining otherwise risk coming to a standstill. Russ’s gear set up meant he was seemingly able to pedal much more quickly thanks to smaller/bigger cogs. Ah well, not to worry (yet)!
The bike performed well, it has some irritating squeaks and whines that seem to come from the front mud-guard, but try as I might with the oil, I can’t seem to find their source.
Impromptu fish and chips at around 5pm at Peneath gave us the will power to push on to St Anges and then 5 miles further to Perranporth, where we decided that at around 7pm that was enough for day one. After a failed Youth Hostel attempt, we ended up at a hotel the name of which escapes me, but was able to offer secure storage for the bikes, a decent shower and food and liquid refreshment.
It was so great to talk to Larri this evening and hear her bubbling with enthusiasm and bursting with pride. I miss her so much. She’s been watching our progress on Runkeeper Live and somehow although we are apart, what with text messages, Facebook and Runkeeper it’s amazing just how with today’s technology you can almost be together even though many many miles separate you.
The legs know they worked hard today and there’s the same tomorrow in terms of ascent, but overall we are feeling very positive about today, especially as it was only really half a day. I won’t feel like we are really into the serious business until we’ve got a couple of consecutive 70/80 milers under our belts.
I’ll sleep well tonight.
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