The
good weather returns…
Today I had to reach Bodmin in order to stand any chance of completing
by the end of the week. Today was also going to be the first day that I would
have to cycle on the A30 which I had been avoiding for as long as possible.
I new the cycle over the moor was going to be hilly, but by using the A30 I
hoped the hills would be longer rather than steeper. But initially I could avoid
the A30 by using smaller B and A roads all the way into Launceston (through
Lewdown and Tinhay).
This proved to be an inspired choice, the road seemed to be down hill
all the way, though there were cracking hills to climb, but with the sunny
weather returning and a strong northerly wind, I made really good progress
and the views were cracking.
I reached Launceston for lunch time, and stopped at a big Tesco to get
more water and to oil my chain and gears. Since the latter had started to
squeak again.
I pushed on, but made the mistake of trying to stay of the A30. The
little lanes I chose were very steep and added miles that I didn’t need. I finally
joined the A30 just west of Launceston at Tregadillet.
Progress on the A30 was good, it was dual carriageway which meant that
there was an 18inch strip off to side which I could use and so was out of
the way of passing cars and lorries. The road climbed and fell a lot, but
was never too steep that I had to get off and push!!
I finally made Bodmin about 16.30pm There was a really fast steep hill
into town, which allowed me to race the cars, but then it flattened out, I cycled
through the town, and found a little hotel (Hotel Casa Casi ) just on the
way out.
Usual washing ensued and then I headed into town for tea. I had seen a
Thai restaurant on the way in and this was my chosen destination. I was
famished and thirsty and decided to have an extra soup, as well as my
normal starter and main. What I didn’t take into account was Cornish
portions. The chicken satay was OK, but it more a bucket of soup than a
bowl. By the time I was finished I was stuffed.
I headed back to the hotel and bed…
Tomorrow Penzance and maybe Land’s End….
Speak to you tomorrow Phil
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