The Start. Lands End to Bodmin

The Blue Seas B&B provided a peaceful night and a splendid breakfast. I can recommend this place. Perfect in every way. It would win Four In a Bed hands down.   Taxi arrived at 0815 and with twenty five minutes I was standing on my own at Lands End. Nobody about even to take a picture. I eventually stopped a chap emptying the bins and he took the shots for me.  By 09.05 I was on my way back to Penzance having dedicated the ride to dear Shirley and to the Big C. Centre. It took me hundreds of miles last year before I overtook another rider.  This morning I had passed three riders in the first half hour.  Was I fitter or was it just luck?I think it was the latter for as I came into Penzance a guy flew passed me on his way to John O'Groats.  I don't think I will be seeing him again.  It put me in my place. Pride before a pass!!    Carried on on back roads to Camborne for my first break. Most welcome.  Decided to keep off the A30 and so headed towards Truro and thence to St. Austell.  Stopped on a steep hill for my dinner and for the sake of my legs.   Following the break I encountered the worst possible hill which went on and on.    Tired by this stage and the detour from the A30 had cost extra miles.  Tired and ready to finish.  After Bugle and a break I was cycling up the road when I noticed somebody aiming a camera at me.  As I was almost on top of him it turned out to be a great friend Steve Budd and Polly.  They had found the needle in the haystack.  Luckily I was cycling and not sitting at the side of the road.  A great effort and so good to see a familiar faces and as a surprise. The support from everybody on this ride is so much appreciated and moving.  Thank you. 

After I finally pulled into the rather unassuming town of Bodmin. Checked into the Westbury Hotel. Very pleasant.  75 miles on the clock.   Took a hot bath to settle the legs down and washed the kit.  No laundry service!!   Dinner in the hotel. Salmon and very nice it was too.    Back to the room to catch up on the blog.  I hope the legs will be in good shape in the morning when I set out towards to Crediton. 

Bon nuit. 

Lands End. Here we come!

Up early to get the packing finished and to ensure that nothing is left behind.  Got to Diss station in good time.  John R and my son Joseph came to see me off.  Train on time. Off at Liverpool Street in London and then I took my life in my hands or on my bike and rode through the centre of London to Paddington for the Penzance train.  Down Oxford Street to Marble Arch and then Edgware Road.  Not too bad. Chance to test how well I had packed the gear on the bike.  Nothing fell off, a result. Just the one driver who needed some in depth training from me using my finest sign language. Penzance train on time too! Is that a record? After over five hours on the train pulled into Penzance. Sun shining and a gentle breeze.  Found the B and B without too much trouble located just off the promenade. I did not order the sea view from Basil so the back courtyard could be seen from my room. Dinner taken at the Assay House restaurant following a quick shower to freshen up. Tasty lamb dish.  It was then that I found that it was the toiletries I had forgotten. Touched base with my weekend riding  partner Richard Durrant.  Swindon is to be the joining point. Taxi is booked for 08.15 to take me in the morning to Lands End.    Should be on the road to John O'Groats at the latest 09.30 Time to get my head down. 

Last Long Ride.

Took the last long training ride today. At 9.15 I set off with Sourhwold the chosen destination. Lovely day for a ride.  Made good time and at 12.05 I was standing next to the pier waiting for my son Joseph with a further 39 miles on the clock. The legs felt good as did the rest of my well toned body. Joseph was only five minutes behind.  After a well earned drink we loaded the bike in the back of the land rover and went for a bite to eat. Fully restored we set off for home.   Back at base we finished off the gardening. Later we went to Diss to pick up the pre booked tickets to Penzance.   Everything falling into place. The next ride will be for real on Wednesday although I may have to ride between Liverpool Street station and Paddington on Tuesday.   

New Kit for the Ride

Naomi and Lisa visited Saturday 18th May to deliver the new kit for my ride. What a great deal of trouble they have both gone to make sure that whilst I may not ride like Cavendish I can look as though I do.    Spent the morning in the garden making sure all is done before departure. Joseph came down from Leeds to help.    Had a rest day from training. Going for a last long ride on Sunday.  Need to choose a destination to aim at.    

MOT for the Bike.

In readiness for departure next Tuesday I cycled to Diss to drop the bike off at Madgetts  bike shop for a service And a tightening up, new chain, brake blocks, cogs etc. Having dropped the bike off I decided to run back home, eleven miles. So in fact two thirds of a triathlon. Good for the fitness  level. I could feel my legs too. Also tested out the tracking device which was working well.  Madgetts is a bike shop to be recommended. Excellent service every time. Don't throw the old bike away they can fix it up!! 

Donate to Ride On Line here!!!!!!!! Thanks

Like me you may feel that the Big C drop in centre for those with cancer and also for those looking after them is a great cause.  The truth is that you do not know you need the resources of the centre till you actually need them. That sounds silly but it is so true.  To find out more about Big C. go to www.big-c.co.uk      

If you wish to donate to my ride in memory of Shirley go to. 

www.justgiving.com/seansimington   

One big thank you for reading and for giving!     

Send me a message on this blog and follow the ride. 

John and Anne make up Welcome Party!

Great friends of both Sean and Shirley have volunteered to be at John O'Groats at the end of the ride.   What an effort. I am delighted that there will be some familiar faces at the end waving an odd flag or two.   Thanks J & A your support for both Shirley and I has been so very much appreciated. I cannot thank you enough. Much love.