Day 1: st Just via Land's End to Fowey

I'm writing from a room overlooking the river harbour at the Galleon Inn. It is still overcast, but the view is splendid. I'm sharing with Graham from Aberdeen who I have teamed up with for most of the day. When the ascent was too steep he would dismount, and I often took that as my cue to stretch my legs and rest my posterior!

The day started with me waking at 0530. Typical for me in the summer, and the room and bedwere comfortable. I shared with Philip, from Andover, who is younger and rides a road bike. I wasn't in his league. Breakfast at 0730 with John from Preston, Graham, and another John. We cycled up to the centre of St Just for team brief before cycling 5miles for Group photo at Land's End signpost. We started our epic minutes after 0900. We retraced a couple of miles, and then headed for Penzance harbour, then along the seafront to Marazion for first tea stop. Both Peak Tours vans were at the Rendez-vous point opposite the beautiful St Michael's Mount -shrouded in the Cornish sea mist. That was the easy cycling part of the day!

1100hrs and the mist turned to rain, which got heavier as we stopped for a buffet lunch at the Royal Oak in a remote village. Leaving there, my chain fell off twkice on the next couple of hills! Easily corrected, but dirty hands from then on. Moved on to one of only five chain ferries across the Fall at the King Harry Ferry. You descend to it on a steep hill, and adjust your gears for the steep ascent on leaving the car ramp. I had teamed up with Graham before lunch, and we stuck together until the 1515 teastop. I say tea, but my favoured drink currently is hot chocolate.

As I turned my bike to leave, Lee, the senior tour guide, examined my front tyre, that was deflating as we listened. 15 minutes later my thrice-holed inner tube was replaced from my own supply, and Lee had pulled a new outer tyre from his van's supplies, and fitted my replacement. Service with a smile and loads of expertise. I caught up with Graham ten miles further on, for the final climb into Fowey.

Now for calorie replacement: i learnt that my estimates from the Garmin are for a cyclist pedalling continously, like Bradley Wiggins & Co. when I am on a descent, I'm often free-wheeling, and taking my saddle position resting postures- off the seat for a wriggle!

Now for food. Rendez-vous at ferry at 0845 tomorrow.

Thanks agian for travellin with me