ride to Liskeard

Didn't really sleep last night, and was awake well before 6am, feeling nervous and was very worried that as I was still carrying this cold I'd be off the pace and struggling. Had a lemsip and vitamin dose, and then headed off to breakfast for porridge and toast.

Lots of mucking around later and we were transfered to Land's End, ready to start the challenge. We all snuck a photo by the sign before the 'official photographer' showed up(he charges a tenner). We then had a briefing from the DA guys, were given maps and directions and sent on our way.

We kept a pretty steady pace, it wasn't too crazy and I didn't get dropped within the first mile like I thought I would. We made the first water stop at 23 miles and had bananas, cereal bars and jelly babies to keep us going. By this point I managed to get the GPS switched on as I'd not had time at the beginning. The hills were not too bad and everything was looking good.

We had another cyclist - Andy - join us and he stayed with us for the rest of the day. He was keen to set the pace and we were all happy to follow. We followed the roads through Redruth and Truro before hitting this pretty horrible hill which we climbed to the top of for lunch. The DA guys put on a good spread with pasties, bread, cheese, tomatoes, tea, water, etc. We spent around 1 hour there just eating and catching up with some of the other cyclists before heading off. At this point the guys advised me that I looked like a smurf in my blue shorts and top - thanks. Won't be making that mistake again!

We pressed on, with the next water stop at 64 miles. There was a monster hill to climb just before it, so we really had to work - lowest ratio, lowest gear...still we made it! Then as we took off again, Hunter, Ben and Andy missed the water stop which was at 61 miles, leaving Kevin and I to load up on water and energy gels. The guys had cycled down Lostwithiel hill by this point, so cycling back for water wasn't an option.

From here on in Kevin and I cycled at a slower pace, leaving the others to ride ahead. The hills were pretty nasty-one minute your cycling up one, the next you are down the other side approaching the next-really tiring stuff! Toward the end we had to turn onto the A38 to get to the Premiere Travel Inn (good enough for Lenny Henry, good enough for me!). I can tell you that cycling on a busy A road isn't my idea of fun...

Kevin and I got in not that long after the others..great feeling-one day down , eleven to go... I had a quick chat with 'Devon Knight', and was told that tomorrow is going to be tough-plenty of climbing before we even get to the first water stop at 19miles (Tavistock). I think as we set off at a good pace today we are going to slow it down for tomorrow-I don't really have an option!

Time for a shower before supper of lasagne and chips, with apple crumble for afters (my favourite). No beer. Seriously...no beer..going to try and keep to that until I get to Inverness. In the meantime I'm going to have a lemsip to keep on top of the cold. Average speed today was 14.9mph, I expect this to drop for tomorrow's update. Caiou for now 8)