Driver view of the first couple of days

The drive down was a 7 hour slog (with no working radio) - from Manchester to Tavistock. We stopped off once we'd left the M5 for fish and chip supper. The last few miles were narrow lanes, carefully selected by the satnav to make it difficult for a large minibus.



At one point, all within about 5 minutes, the accelerator stuck on, we hit a large rock and the driver's window winder fell off. The sticking accelerator kept recurring and we had some Blackpool illuminations on the dash to add to the thrill.

After 30 minutes of getting lost and driving back and forth, we found the farm with barn and soon got to bed.

After an early start (5.30 a.m.) we reached Land's End at 8.30. After discovering the 'official' sign post is only 'brought out' at 9.30, we made do with a few pics of us before setting off just before nine.



I hoped to find a coffee shop and seek out a bacon butty, but the plans went out of the window when Chris called with a broken derailleur - only 8 miles in to the trip. A quick dash to Penzance secured a pattern part, fitted by "The Cycle Centre" on New Street - many thanks to them for their speedy service and help mobilising Chris. With only fumes left in the tank, I returned Chris to the A30 and sought fuel.

For lunch I sought Cornish Pasties from Truro for the guys. When we met up, the guys pulled off the road to join me - except Andy, who flipped off his bike and rolled along the pavement! Thankfully, no harm done. The good news is I caught it on video camera - to be on YouTube soon!



Later on, the cig lighter packed in - so no satnav charging now. I switched to manual mode (road atlas) to conserve any remaining power.

The day was hard for the guys who were expecting a tail wind. It was on the nose for the whole 108 miles. John got leg cramps toward the end and dropped back a little. And then we lost him. He'd missed a turn. An hour and a half later we tracked him down to a closed pub, making a fuss of the resident cat and dog and drinking coffee! And there we were - worried...

Day two started a little gentler, time wise - starting from the farm we were staying in. It was still windy - and now raining. I spent a few minutes trying to sort the cig lighter but to no avail - there was no power to it any more. I got away quickly to get back into mobile 'phone signal land in case I was summoned.

Within a mile, all power vanished and the engine management light came on again. A quick restart on the hoof cleared it.

I took an alternative route between Moreton Hampstead and Tedburn which for the most part was smaller than the bus. By the time I'd reached the other side, the plant matter had forced the mirrors flat against the sides of the van. I stopped to fold them out and check our special magnetic signage was still attached and then pressed on.

I had arranged to meet everyone at Bickleigh, but the route the cyclists took was closed while two bent cars were scraped off. Once through, we had a group photo!


I headed on into Somerset and through Taunton. When I passed the guys, my friendly 'beep-beep' never happened as the horn had gone the same way as the radio, cig lighter, door handle, etc. Hey-ho.

At an interim afternoon stop, we helped a couple of lads also doing a Land's End to John O'Groats. They didn't even have tyre levers, but their enthusiasm should get them a long way.

We were making very good time today and arranged to meet north of Bristol. Great views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge! However, the inclines out of the city at the end of a long day meant we finished up just north - at The Swan. Andy Q's friend Matt joined us here for a beer. His wife's due to have a baby TODAY, so good job he got out while he can.

Spirits are high, injuries low (okay, Chris came off in Bristol, but escaped relatively unscathed...) and the mood's optimistic for our journey into the Midlands.

We shoved everything into the van and headed to Cardiff for the night - at Chris' mum's. I managed to blag getting the bus through the bridge toll as a car (£5 instead of £10) and we put the difference in the charity pot. Every little helps...

And it's from Cardiff I now type, after lovely dinner, with a mug of tea and cake - thanks, Margaret.