The day had a slightly surreal feel to it; it seemed odd riding on such familiar roads but with the knowledge that I was coming to the end of my epic trek. The cycling has become such a routine over the past couple of weeks that it'll feel strange when I finish.
I met up with Claire and Graeme (aunt and uncle) at Blackwater to give them my panniers. We discussed where would be a good place for me to eat lunch, and decided a pasty in Camborne was the best choice :) .
From Camborne I cycled through Praze-an-Beeble to Marazion, and called in to see Toby at his gallery. After a quick catch-up then a few photos of St Michaels Mount I cycled through Penzance and straight out towards Land's End.
This is a road I know incredibly well and although there are several ups and downs, I knew that Tregonebris Hill would be the only real challenge. Once this was conquered it felt like downhill all the way.
Just the other side of the hill I received a quick flash of headlights from a white 4x4, my uncle Howard on a scouting mission to see where I was. He reappeared following me at Crows-an-Wra, and for a worrying moment I thought he was going to follow me with his hazard lights on!
It was such a great feeling to be cycling along the 'Jolly Eater' straight seeing parents, aunts, uncles, cousins all waiting for me at the St Just turn-off (or Quakers to the locals!). Here I was joined by another cyclist - my Dad!
I was smiling so much as we went through Sennen (single file of course), past my primary school, the turn-off to the Cove, then the First and Last (pub). After rounding the corner before the final straight down to Land's End I was joined by yet another cyclist - my Grandpa! Despite being 86 he was keen to finish the ride off with me! I'd cycled on my own for the whole route until the last couple of miles. To finish the ride flanked by the previous two Eddy generations was a special moment. I even think Grandpa pipped us across the line at Land's End!
The welcome was better than I'd expected - many thanks to the lifeboat crew for turning out and cheering me over line. A photographer from the Cornishman was there too, and even an ex-work colleague, Bob who happened to be down on holiday.
19 days, 919 miles. An awesome experience.
-
« ***_ETA_at_Land's_End_is_6pm_Wed_11_July_*** | Lunch »
Day_19:_Land's_End!
@ Thursday, 12. Jul, 2007 – 04:38:02 pm
