1/9/09 day 1 Land's End to Liskheard 74.6m

Woke about 0500! Breakfast not until 0730 - managed to get back off to sleep - packed up & hearty breakfast in beautiful sunshine! We were coached to Lands End, all pleased to see the sharp SW wind that would help us all day. We picked up, and got the first stamp, on the End-to-ender passport (I hope there's a tie at the end of this...) Then the obligatory photo at the 'sign' - without the sign on because the bloke was a miserable git and we didn't want to give him any money... Then we set off - it all felt very surreal as we peddled along with ease in the wind. I reckon a small sail each would've been useful!! It felt like we were on one of those Airport rolling travelators.It only really got hilly past Penzance - we caught a good view of St Michaels Mount out in the bay. Drink stop at Beeble allowed us to top up on fluids, bananas, & jelly babies!! We all commented how deceptively easy it was, perhaps lulled into false sense of security with the tail wind. This is a marathon not a sprint so an easy-ish start was most welcome. Although the last 15miles included some big climbs. There are a few groups forming - the professionals AKA Rob Keith & Andy. A middle group with myself, 'mad downhill' Simon, 'mountain bike 'Phil - 'Old Man' Gerry - 'novice' Tim, 'I need a pee' Susie & few others I'm not sure of their names. Already there seems to be a good team feel of the 26. We are split between a nice family run Hotel Nebula in Liskheard, with some unlucky riders in the ‘corporate’ Travellodge up the road. Just had a great bath - body feels tired but shoulders/neck/wrists OK. We're off for a supper together at 2000 - then early night. Looks like a big climb onto Dartmoor tomorrow & descent could be a bit hairy - Don't worry folks I'll hang onto the handlebars & do a controlled descent!!

ALE OF THE DAY - N/A only draught Red Stripe Still pretty good though

74.6m 5h01m at 14.86mph TOTAL 74.6m 5800ft climb