Day 0.5 - Penzance to Land's End, and back

Today I took my train to Penzance. I've read too many stories about bikes getting stolen (even on trains) so I stood with my bike. It was, after all, the most necessary item of the entire journey. Worst case scenario, I didn't want to have to do the ride on something that wasn't my bike. In retrospect, I probably could've gotten away with just watching it whenever the train stopped.

Pretty much as good as it gets here in the UK..

Penzance!

I was pleasantly greeted by Chris in Penzance with his white van, and a few other folk in their cycling gear standing with their bikes. The group was generally much older than me - the second youngest being twice my age. I wondered if I'd be able to get along with them - after all, we would be spending the next 18 days living, eating and cycling together.

I got changed in the back of Chris's van (not the best way to start the journey.. but what can you do!). We helped the others get their GPS devices sorted out and off we went to Land's End. I didn't expect as much activity as I saw there, but I suppose the location (and its name) does attract tourists somehow.

Chris and Barney!

Jonathan and Linda

The famed signpost. 

Be warned: There is a charge for taking a photo with it..

Once we got our group photo, we went to our night's youth hostel for drinks and a meal. It was funny later on that night bunking together with 7 grown men - one of which had trouble getting his sheets on........

Early to bed that night at 11pm, as it was going to be an early start in the morning.

One heck of a journey just to get to the start, but there you go..

Route data:-

Part 1 

Part 2