Dr Wood E2E
27th July, Land's End to Sourton, Day1 07/27/2010
 As you can see from the picture it wasn't as foggy today as yesterday. The place was pretty much deserted at half seven when we arrived. I did see a local out jogging as the photograph was taken. He must see hundreds of people setting off but he still took the time to shout "good luck mate". The mist and fog set in for much of the first 20 miles and then it started to rain. It still is raining as I type this (8pm). I met a bloke cycling to South Wales, he didn't look comfortable on his bike and he went on the A30 dual carriageway. I however, was so excited about starting the ride that I flew past the first rendez vous point and had to turn around and go back. The first stop was in a garden centre car park. Nice. I had two bacon rolls and a gallon of tea. I'm sure this isn't in any sports science manual, but it works for me. Grace was in the doghouse because she had thrown up all over the seat and the floor of the van. I thought it looked extra clean when I arrived.  I think it was a good job that the weather remained foggy because this obscured the hills on the horizon and I could tootle along in blissfull ignorance. I had to change clothes twice, once in Goonhavern and again in Camelford. The waterproof gloves aren't. It was still quite warm today so it was a toss up between getting wet and staying cool or keeping dry (ish) and getting hot. I tried both. I prefer getting wet and staying cool. After lunch I only had a short hop to to Sourton of about 31 miles. Piece of cake I thought. The sun made a brief appearance and the fog/mist cleared. I could now see the undulating hills before me. Sure I was tired but I was starting to realise why people say that Cornwall/Devon on day one is the toughest. I started to resent going down hill because that would just result in yet another climb at the bottom. I did see a deer in the road that was startled as I rode past, fortunately it bolted the other way to me. As I passed from Cornwall into Devon I thought that the toughest part of day one had gone. Wrong. The last 15 miles was murder, up and down up and down. To add insult to injury the GPS cycle computer decided to play up just as I was getting to within 3 miles of the finish. It insisted that I turn right into a hedge. I continued to the end of the road, turned the wrong way and struggled (up hill) for a mile or so until I realised my mistake. I turned around and the GPS was trying to send me back the way I came, presumably to its favourite hedge. I ignored it and eventually found the campsite having checked the (analogue) map twice. That's why I don't look too chuffed in the picture. The GPS has been threatened with EBAY and sent to bed early. The signal in the campsite is quite poor so I'm standing in the laundry room leaning on the washing machine with my lap top. It is conveniently placed outside the Gents. As it is now getting dark I better call it a night. CommentsPaul Kavanagh Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:19:53 pm Well done - hope you get better weather and flatter roads tomorrow! Fran Virden Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:05:24 pm Hi Dr Wood You're doing great so keep going! Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply | Trevor, The Team Mascot
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