ednesday 4th June 2025

St. Bryan- Perrenporth 60+kms  2100'

Today we started by covering ground already ridden in the opposite direction. Thus, we went down the 16% hill in Neyland (burning  brakes) and then rode the coastal path for some 5 kms in sunshine with a following wind - what a difference. As you may imagine the euphoria lasted only until the next uphill. We are learning to love them! 

Route finding is causing Master Navigator considerable problems not helped at all by the fact that the GPS has finally overloaded and gone on long term sick. Today has been so demanding of attention that Master Navigator made the unforgivable mistake of going uphill and then realised that our turning had been at the bottom of the hill! Not something he makes a habit of. To be fair the road that we wanted did have a large road closed sign which we ignored and found just enough room for a body and a pannier carrying bike. So onward to a long but traffic free gravel track. Just another fine example of the varying terrain all designed to keep us off the A30 and very much appreciated. We have enjoyed some  very fine  views especially on the seaside at Portreath where we met an expat who lives in Western Australia who had much to say. And equally from the summit of our climbs. The views I mean.

I know I have made a bit of an issue of these uphills and I know that they will diminish but we have  now got the measure of them. We walk! It is not the hill which is so daunting it is the vehicles we are sharing the space with. Laden  bikes in our hands are a bit wobbly and unpredictable and cars and, even worse, huge farm machinery are very scary when they overtake at speed. Walking takes away all the angst.

Today has gone well and we finished it off with a very fine hotel having given up with air b and b. Nothing so helpful as a sign saying Rose in Vale Country Hotel. Admittedly at the bottom of another hill but very fine indeed.

So follows a good night's sleep and a large breakfast before the walk back up the hill in the  morning on fresh legs.