It turns out that moving three blokes, with three bikes and three bags full of two weeks worth of gear plus an absurd amount of technology...is no simple task.
Today, we travelled down to Penzance to prepare for the first days riding from the nearby Lands End. Simple you would think in theory but in practice...what a faff!
First was a straight train to Victoria station, then a lugging of gear to the nearest taxi rank (a tube was out of the question after all) to grab three separate taxis to Paddington, followed by more lugging of gear, to the concourse, which of course is on a totally different floor, then more lugging to the guards carriage, which after some diligent strapping of bikes, was followed by a final negotiation with a large gaggle of prepubescent school kids, to reclaim our rightful seats with the help of their exasperated teacher (who'd be a teacher?...definitely an under paid job!).
Then...relax for 5 odd hours while we pick our way across country chasing the setting sun. Until, eventually....
Upon arrival and after a similar but opposite amount of faffing, we are met by a kindly looking chap waving an official bit of plain paper. The Kindly looking chap led us to a car park where our pride and joys are unceremoniously hulked and dumped on top of each other in the back of an unmarked, white transit van.
It was only as we stood in the now empty car park, watching the tyre smoke settle, the smell of burning rubber still ripe in the air, that any of us began to wonder if we perhaps should have asked for some form of ID before handing over our bikes, especially when we spotted a Discover Adventure (Our ride organisers) van roll into the car-park... from a separate entrance.
With growing uncertainty we set off to find our hotel, which, we were informed by the kindly chap was "over in that direction".
Inevitably, It was in the opposite direction....
We pressed on, stead fast with confidence that local Cornish folk were the salt of the earth, honest to the core, kind and...oh wait, there he is at the bar with the other organisers...thank f##k for that.
Never doubted him for a moment.
Despite the ever-so-slightly tatty exterior, our hotel was welcoming, the rooms tidy and the food both filling and tasty. We were staying at the Long boat, a traditional pub and hotel on the high street.
As we checked in, we couldn't help but notice other cyclist shaped types skulking about and were soon part of a pretty large group, all enthusiastic and brimming with a healthy mix of fear and excitement.
Conversation inevitably turned to previous form, as we each tried to subtly assess one another's cycling prowess. It'll be interesting to watch our respective personalities come to bear over the next couple of weeks. So far we have Lizzie, Maria, Matthew and Bryan who together with Angus, Nick and myself make up the southern contingent. Matthew is Lizzies other half and decided to join the group only two weeks ago. I'm already taken by his gentlemanly approach as he gave up the opportunity to spend two weeks sharing with Lizzzie, so as not to spoil Maria and her trip. I'm certain I couldn't be so selfless.
Food eaten, beer drunk, coffees downed and blog updated, its off to bed.
Unforgettable.
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