Afterthoughts

Back home after what was a very satisfying trip of a lifetime, despite the interruption.

1406 Miles
0 Punctures
27 Nights in a tent
2 Youth hostel stays

The favourite bit was Tongue to Altnahara in North Scotland for the bleakness and bright weather.
Least favourite bit was probably through the Birmingham conurbation.
Of course, the people you meet along the way also have to be mentioned

To everybody who has followed the blog, thank you for your support and comments. Looking at the blog stats, I am astounded to see that people have viewed it from all around the world.


A big thank you to every one who has sponsored me in aid of Christie Cancer Research,

If you do still want to sponsor me, the JustGiving link is

https://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Lines-JOGLE

All the best everyone

Chris

FINISH!

The ride followed the coast past Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole

Beautiful sea view before turning inland to Sennen

At the end.

Fish & chips lunch to celebrate

4 hour train ride to Bristol followed by a 12 mile ride back to the car.

TOTAL TRIP...1406 MILES!

Almost there! Mevagissey to Marazion

Not a good start. Woke up to the referendum result and pouring rain Started with some very steep hills. However the sun came out and the terrain levelled a bit giving a very pleasant and fast days ride that continued into the sunny evening. Too populated for wild campng so again found a campsite at Marazion.

Found a brilliant artisan cafe after 15 miles

Waiting for the King Harry Ferry

Have had to push up a lot of hills over the last few days.

The route uses the mines trail

Cream tea at Redruth

More tin mine works

Along the Fowey estuary

St Michaels Mount. Only 15-20 miles to the finish!

Spent the evening in the pub at Marazion

Unfortunately, I had to go to the pub with a bloke wearing socks and sandals. 

Bude to Mevagissey

A bit of a heads down day today to get some miles done. Had to Resort to some main roads to avoid some of the choppy up and down back roads

Cafe stop in Camelford

2nd breakfast!

Lunch stp at st petrocs churchyard in Bodmin

Getting closer to the sea again.

Camsite nr Mevagissey

Bideford to Bude

The day started off by following the Tarka trail again. Dropped onto the roads but some of the gradients were so steep, we were struggling to push the bike to the top! So did the last 15 miles hacking along an A road.

Tarka trail

Yarde organic cafe. Managed to dodge a heavy shower which was the only rain, despute terrible foecast

Cafe stop Holsworthy

Last county border!

Finished at a campsite. Later cycled into a deserted Bude for chips and beer.

Bampton to Bideford

Today's ride crossed Exmoor and the onto the coast. Following the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple to Bideford. Drizzly morning crossing bleak Exmoor but better later.

Bleak Exmoor

Coffee stop at an iscolated pub on Exmoor. Pub was shut so had to make our own

Back to the coast and the Taw Estuary

Tarka trail

Campsite at Westacott Farm. Well recommended. Very friendly. The owner kindly donated the campsite fee as a donation to the charity.

Bridgewater to Bampton

Absolutely hacked it down all morning. Set off in heavy rain and it didn"t stop.umtil Taunton late morning.

Stopped at a bike shop in Taunton. Dripped all over the floor while fitting new brake blocks and pedals (bearings gone)

Lime kilns on the great western canal

No, not THAT Bampton

Geoff saw a farmer and asked if we could camp in one of his fields. Chap seemed only too happy to help.

Camp omlette competition. Mine's on the right.