August 2015

August: 425 miles on my trusty bicycle

Us back home, tired but happy.

On Thursday 6 August Gary and I did a 34 mile ride around the Lizard peninsular. There were a few little hills but nothing too challenging. It was a good ride to get me back into pushing those pedals round. 

Coastline including the Gurnards Head

On Friday 7 August Darren and I put our walking boots on and took Barney and Betty on a 5 mile walk in a pretty remote part of Cornwall, not far from Land's End. We walked from Zennor along this quite challenging piece of coast path to the Gurnard's Head and then back across the fields to where we started. It was a scorchio day so it was a bit warm to say the least! 

Map of our 54 mile route

On Saturday 8 August Gary and I did a pretty challenging cycle ride, a circular 54 miles around the middle of west Cornwall. The middle third from Hayle to Zennor was HARD with some stonking hills, the one up out of St Ives to Zennor being the toughest. I was a bit broken afterwards!!

Our lunchtime view across the marshes

Selfie and calorie stop in front of St Michael's Mount

The next morning, I got my bike out again and just did 6 miles to release my legs and, after stopping to adjust it many times, got my seat to the right height.

Map of our 32 mile route

On Wednesday 12 August I drove up to Wadebridge to meet up with Mel and Geoff from our London to Paris gang. Mel was our guide, taking us 32 miles along country lanes and through a couple of beautiful little villages. It was nice to have some different scenery, plus the hills weren't anywhere near as steep as they are back in west Cornwall!

We made it! Us after pedaling our way around 101 miles of Cornish roads.

On Saturday 15 August Gary and I did our biggest ever ride: 101 miles!! Are we completely mad? Probably! On the London to Paris challenge my biggest day is going to be 90 miles so I wanted to cycle further than that in one go so that I know it's actually possible for me to do it. Boy we were broken at the end. The last 15 miles were tough, no I mean really TOUGH!

We passed many derelict engine houses.

And some fabulous views across the far west of Cornwall.

Oliver, Kirsten, Geoff, Jacqui, Mel, Pete & me (& Stu taking the photo!)

On Saturday 22 August I met up with 7 of the London to Paris gang and we cycled just short of 70 miles around the roads of north Cornwall. It even included a short stretch of the main A30 dual carriageway which, although it was lovely and smooth to cycle on, was very scary in terms of the traffic. I hadn't realised quite how much 'pull' there is when vehicles pass you at high speed. I didn't like it much at all. Thankfully I don't have to cycle on the really big roads on a regular basis.

 We stopped off for a sarnie at Jamaica Inn

My solo 27 mile route

The next day, on Sunday 23 August, I decided to keep my legs moving by doing a reasonably short route, just to Penzance and back. It was a lovely sunny day so I really enjoyed it.

I don't usually come home from a cycle ride covered in mud!

On Thursday 27 August, Darren and I got our mountain bikes out and splashed our way around 9 miles of the Penrose Estate. It was pretty muddy!

Stephen, me & Kirsten

On Saturday 29 August, Kirsten and Stephen from my London to Paris gang joined me for a lovely 51 mile cycle ride around west Cornwall.

Map of our 51 mile route

We did a great route, taking in St Michael's Mount, Penzance, Mousehole, Lands End, St Just, Gulval, Marazion and then back to Porthleven. The weather was just about perfect: no wind, cloudy but warm. Please can we have this weather when we're doing our challenge??!!

Gary, me & Miguel

The next day, Sunday 30 August, I pedaled another 39 miles, this time with Gary and Miguel. We followed the same route as I had done the previous day but it was SO different. It was wet, windy, chilly and not at all enjoyable. My morale was badly lacking on this ride. I guess we're all allowed to have down days.

Apple Tree Cafe at Trevescan, Lands End

The best thing about that last ride of August was the most amazing hot chocolate I had at the Apple Tree Cafe in Trevescan. It was the BEST!!!

Just two weeks to go until my London to Paris challenge and I feel ready. Yes my body aches all over most of the time but I suppose I have to expect that. I'm not exactly 21 any more! I feel like I'm pushing myself more than I ever have before, but is that really a bad thing? Each time I get my bike out I learn something new, either about cycling or myself. Going out on my bike alone allows me time just to be me, to watch and listen to the passing wildlife, to observe what makes up this amazing world we inhabit, to enjoy the stunning landscape in west Cornwall, to feel the glorious sunshine on my face and to marvel at the stupidity of some peoples' driving!

One of my favourite things when cycling is listening to birds of prey calling to each other as they soar and hover high in the sky. It's such a special thing that you can't experience when driving in a car. In west Cornwall, over near Lands End, I've seen/heard it every time I've cycled there and it makes all those tough hills worth all that effort.

Miles cycled in August: 425 miles

Current fundraising total: £4394  (95% of my fundraising goal)

If you have a spare couple of quid PLEASE help me towards my fundraising goal for this year by clicking here and sponsoring me. I'm just £205.12 short of my target!

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with extra ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or the challenges themselves.