Lands End 100

It's not often that I see 4:45 am on a Sunday morning, but that wat it was for me as had lift down to St. Ives with a fellow cyclist to take part in the first Lands End 100 Sportive. I think we had over estimated how long it would take us to drive to St.ves as we arrived their just after 6am - Maybe that was a tad too early, however there was no queue for registration so some kind of bonus.

With a start at just after 7:30am it proved to be a great day out. Riding along some traffic free coastal roads down to Lands End with the early morning sun highlighting the stunning sceanery of this part of Cornwall. My words cannot capture the rugged beauty of this stretch of coastline is. Though the hill at Kehelland on the homeward leg was a bit of a particular tough surprise... especially after you have done about 50 miles at that point.

I had elected to do the 100 km  (62 miles) route which I completed in 4 hours 51 minuites, though I did stop to help a cyclist who had a broken chain. I had wondered whether to take my multi tool or just take tire levers, lucky for him I chose the former.

All in all it was a well organised great day out with my family turning up to cheer me over the finish line. They even organised the weather which could not have been better.

Here is some video footage I took using a helmet camera that I have edited together to give a feel for the event.

Shaved legs

Well it appears that following my exhaustive scientific study and many hours analysing the results. I can finally announce that with 40% of the vote going to Yes and 40% going to Dreckly there is only one possible conclusion.

Yes a Cornishman would shave his legs but he would do it dreckly...

This only goes to prove like everything Cornish men always do it dreckly.

It seems very likely following our Sunday adventure that Adam now with a broken hand will miss the Lands End 100 sportive this weekend. Which I know he is gutted about missing. Though I am not really looking forward to the 5:15 am start as we need to be in St. Ives for a 7 am start. But equally looking forward to taking part as it will be my first sportive.

Wish me luck...

The best laid plans....

It all started out as a plan on Facebook and yes ok, it was my suggestion for a route. I thought we could all meet in B & Q car park and then cycle just across the road to Costa coffee head out to Mevigissey then turn off to Tregony and then on to the King Harry Ferry. Crossing the river Fal before heading on to Truro, Probus and Ladock before heading homewards via Sticker and London Apprentice.

Well that was the plan, so at ten past nine four of us set out but only two made the full round trip. It was all going so well until we hit (literally) the 10% downhill run to the King Harry ferry. The raw footage from the action camera says it all.

One broken hand and one broken shifter later (anyone got a spare SRAM force shifter?) we make the final decent to the ferry. It was at this point that Adam and James decide that it might just be better to catch the train home from Truro. Martin and myself decided to carry on and complete the route as planned. That was not without incident as to top it all I got puncture only in the windiest place possible - Typical. Not a problem spare inner tube in the saddle bag, oh but where is the pump....... In the garage five miles away.... But Martin to the rescue with his CO2 inflater so minor disaster averted.

After this we though sod Sticker we cut our losses and headed home. All in all just a typical Sunday cycle.

Note to self let others plan the Sunday route as there appears to be only a 50% survival rate if left to me....

If you would like to see our route just check the link here

New shoooooes.......

Looking out of the window at about 5 pm and seeing the wind and rain you have to wonder why exactly do we do these things. That and the gathering gloom I really thought I could just as easily drive home and save myself the bother of changing into lycra and then braving the elements. But idiocy prevailed in the end and I decided that I would cycle home, that and with the overwhelming urge to use my new cycling shoes.

So kitted out with the new shoes I gave them an inaugural outing, I should really say soaking over the 24 miles home.

Guess I can't take them back now.

These shoes are so silver they make me feel like an extra in a bad sci-fi move

The journey home was remarkably uneventful as there seemed to be a total absence of drivers who's sole intention is to collide with or harass any cyclist.

The only real excitement was the decent down Morlaix Avenue, Truro being very wet I was not quite brave enough to attempt it a full tilt. Normally in the dry I can reach about 45mph before having to dodge the 2 manhole covers on the left hand sweeping bend. Not today as it was very slippy under foot wheel so the brakes got fair bit of use.

If you are interested in the stats of my ride follow the link here Endomondo Cycling Workout:

Just a Sunday ride out

Woke up to an absolutely glorious day it was a good thing that I arranged to go out for a cycle this morning. Arriving at the meeting place only to find just Martin waiting there, then two became three as we were joined by Adam. After a few more minutes it seemed that we were the only one riding out today. It turned out to be a good 39 mile ride in the October sun and yes my legs do feel tired.

Our route can be viewed here Endomondo Cycling Workout: though it was not quite what we planned, lets just say navigational difficulties.

And not a shaved leg amongst us.... Which gets me thinking, would a Cornish man shave his legs? In the interests of scientific research I have decide to conduct a poll on this important world issue.

This was followed a pub lunch with the wife and daughter and a stroll on the beach afterwards. All in all not a bad way to spend a Sunday.

Ok so its not the best beach in the world but it's local and there's a couple of great pubs nearby.

That was my Sunday how was yours?

Must pedal faster

A personal best it certainly wasn't... Should I blame the head wind or was it the packet of Dorritos and Snickers bar I had at lunch time.


Follow this link to see my route and times Endomondo Cycling Workout

I learnt that today is national procrastination day so it is your chance to put of today what you can do tomorrow.


Though procrastination is something best put off until tomorrow.

How was your weekend?

When did your weekend begin?

Mine began at about 6:30 Friday evening I arrive home to find no one at home, odd I thought but maybe they have just nipped out. Just as I put the key in the door my wife's car draws up with daughter sitting on back seat with her left arm in what looks to be a sling. It turns out they have just returned from the local minor injuries unit with a suspected broken wrist.

Well a 30 minute drive later and we are all in the Royal Cornwall Hospital, then follows a four hour stint in A & E and we have a confirmed broken wrist on an 8 year old.

They went to the local skate park so she could try out her new scooter that she got for her birthday on Wednesday, I'll leave you to guess what happened next. The irony is that I am the one that would normally take her to somewhere like that.

But wait, the timing could not have been better as she is having a birthday party at home on Sunday for 11 of her friends. So Saturday is spent trying to play catch up from Friday night.

Somehow, eventually everything comes together and we have a house full of 7 year old girls for what seems like an eternity but is only actually 2 hours, my brain still hurts from the noise.

The aftermath.......

But the guests went home happy with cake and party bags

So much for a Saturday ride out.... I guess there is always next weekend......