Day 6

Camelford to Hayle.
Also, the Ride to Recovery.
Today: 96km and 1165m ascent.
Overall: 655km and 9233m ascent. 
Started 10am and finished 710pm.

So, total ascent/descent now greater than the height of Everest!

Unwell beginnings
Although the previous night was the earliest I'd got to bed, I had an awful night's sleep. My thirst was unquenchable, even though everything I was drinking was making for even more frequent trips to the loo than normal! Initially I was shivering by the time I got back to bed.

So I stayed in bed a couple of hours longer rather than write yesterday's blog (which I've only just completed). Then at breakfast I was drawn to the granola, so had two bowls of that, alongside mushrooms and an egg from the buffet fry up.

By the time I got on my bike at 10am, I was starting to think I could make it to Hayle. Before that I really did doubt I could.

The Camel Trail
Today's route was a more direct  and less hilly one than originally planned. So no coastal views today, but the Camel Trail - another route that was formerly a railway line - proved to be a lovely alternative.

1045am. I'm just starting on the Camel Trail

11am. This part of today's route also provided some welcome protection from the gusty cross winds.

1125am. Finally, some justification for lugging my 3kgs of expensive hi-tech camera kit around with me! No, not a camel on the trail, but a Roe Deer😊

Moral support
Those of you on Facebook may have seen my "I'm struggling, spur me on" post. Thank you to everyone who "liked" and/or wrote a comment, they all had the desired effect!

In particular I'd like to mention Ann and Jeremy, two former work colleagues, who now live in Newquay and offered to be a pit-stop if I was heading their way. That would have been the case if I'd taken my original route, but my more-inland route meant that didn't work out. Just the fact they got in touch had a positive effect🙂

Alongside that potential meet up, I already knew that I was going to try to meet up with David, the Chair of the Exeter and Cornwall Both Parents Matter Group. The slightly curious group name (a Devon city and a whole county) is a result of the lockdowns associated with Covid, where all meetings went from being in-person to on-line. David (and the whole group) have been a massive support to me at various stages over the last 6 years. If you think you might benefit from their support, here's their webpage.

Our challenge yesterday was for David to intercept me en route. We eventually aimed to meet somewhere near St. Columb Major. Then, after a 2 minute phone call, the first minute of which was spent with me finding a position where David could hear me over the wind, we moved to me sharing my live location on WhatsApp. 

 2pm. David and me after eating a cheese and onion pasty. Yes, he took pity on this adopted Devonian and didn't inflict a Cornish pasty on me😉

Hayle
I arrived her at 710pm - so finishing even earlier than yesterday! 

As I complete writing this just before 8am on Thursday, I can report that I've slept well, I have accommodation booked in Helston, and I'm looking forward to cycling to both Lands End and, hopefully, The Lizard later.

If I don't make it to The Lizard, the route is 80km. If I do, then it's 120km (it's a there and back between Helton and The Lizard).

Right, better get to it...

Comments

  1. Roddy23 April 2026 at 03:55

    Dearest Box_of_Frogs,
    Only just found out about your mad adventure, and you're already more than half way through.
    Keep Peddling, Keep Smmiling, and Keep on going.
    I expect a "talk" on your challenge upon your return.
    Take Care
    Roddy

    ReplyDelete

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