LeJog Day -1

Day Minus One: the bike is loaded and I'm ready to go. Last minute things have been done, spares packed, tyres pumped up and the moving parts oiled. The bike comes in at 18kg, the baggage 13.5kg.... and yours truly 69kg. The train at Deal arrives bang on time but found no dedicated bike space which is annoying on a busy train.  With a change at Ashford onto the high speed service and just over half an hour later I arrive into St. Pancras.  London is hot and bustling and the 6km cycle from St. Pancras to Paddington slow due to traffic and traffic lights, but I did find a real rarity in the capital, a dedicated bike lane! OK, it was only 500 metres long, but nonetheless a bike lane it was! At Paddington I deposited my bike on the train, found my seat and settled down for the five and a half hour journey down to Penzance. The train was fast and cool and the passing countryside wonderful especially down in Devon and Cornwall where the train meanders leasurely along,  sometimes hugging the coastline. We pulled into Penzance dead on time where I unloaded the bike and switched on the satnav to guide me to the B&B, some 16 km away.
Cornwall is hilly!!! Just 2 km from leaving the station hit a REALLY steep hill. Not even first gear would suffice so walked up, also not easy with fully laden bike, Anyway, all hills come to an end got to the top eventually. Some of the route was on the A30 - glad I'm avoiding it from tomorrow on as it's busy with fast moving traffic. Got to the B&B, some 2km from Land's End then headed for the pub for a pint of local ale  and Cornish fish and chips.......

Penzance station

the forst steep hil

fine Cornish ale from St. Austell