Thursday 5th June 2025

Perrenporth  - Bodmin   50kms   2,500 height gained. 

To say this was a  tricky day would be a huge understatement.  It was the hardest day we have ever ridden since we began our long rides - thank you Cornwall. Lots of uphill, lots of traffic, despite the route organiser's best efforts to make the route bike friendly. Quite a lot of the uphill was on Shank's Pony ( Not so much steep as  very intimidating with single lane traffic, potholes and gravel. ) Enough moaning, the topography is what it is and we must jolly well get on with it. Our first downhill of the morning came to a halt at a road closed sign. We winged it but it was completely blocked by the local electricity works. Undaunted, we sought a solution and the electric guys were well up for helping. Take the panniers off and we'll carry or wade through the stream running alongside the road. How heroic was that. As it turned out, the local neighbour arrived, having heard the conversation and offered us an alternative route through his garden and onto the road bypassing the lorries. All went well until we reached the final gate which was electronically controlled and the power was off! Not to be beaten, our new friend found a spanner and twisted some mechanism which released the gate. Hooray, and we were off and much impressed by the kindness of strangers. 

We had planned to spend this night in Camelford but had we continued we would be still going up and down! Might have to revise expectations for the morrow as I suspect more ups and downs can be expected. Anyway, we like Bodmin and it's friendly hotel. We have been given to understand that the reason for the increase in the traffic is likely to be the result of visitors to the Royal Cornish show in Wadebridge. We'll see. 

We are now, quite definitely ready to hit the sack. So, until tomorrow, we bid you good night.