Neil and Bruce left Cambridge station to travel to Penzance. They met David and their support drivers Tom and Jean at Penzance then cycled to their first night's accommodation at a youth hostel in St Just, en route to Land's End.
2 June - Land's End to Newquay - 50 miles
Cycled from St Just to Land's End and arrived 9am to start the challenge. Had a good day of cycling in very hilly terrain, arrived in Newquay in good time. En route, a lady from Newquay saw the Pedal for Parkinson's T-shirts and stopped to donate �10. She later overtook them again and gave a further �40, saying that she was overcome with emotion at what they had undertaken and what a good job they were doing. Thank you for your kind words and support.
3 June - Newquay to Bude - 55 miles
Again it was warm to hot, very hilly terrain and whilst the team found it hard going they are coping and seem in good spirits. They are really appreciating Tom and Jean Fawcett the support drivers, who are meeting them every morning and evening, carrying their luggage, doing their shopping and generally being "mum and dad"! For them, nothing seems like too much trouble.
4 June - Bude to Oakford - 55 miles
Up and down lots of hills but good weather! They covered most of Devon and are 5miles from the Somerset border, tucking into sausage casserole and shepherds pie at the Red Lion pub in Oakford, a very small village near Tiverton, and reflecting on a good day.
5 June - Oakford to Cheddar - 52 miles
Raining all night, had taken early night because tired - woke refreshed. Neil had to share a room with strange cyclist who had nowhere to stay. Raining in morning so put on full waterproofs but then the rain stopped and they had some sun and a headwind all day. Cycling inland, there were lots of 2-5mile long hills with very quick downhill spurts, followed by another long hill!
Stayed Cheddar YHA. Nice meal in Bath Arms in Cheddar. Pleasant evening.
6 June- Cheddar to Monmouth - 59 miles (total est 316 miles since Land's End)
As is becoming normal, they left at around 9am and finished around 5pm. According to their gadgets they are only typically cycling 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours per day, the rest of the time taken up by eating lots of ice creams, drinking orange juice and lemonade and having elevenses and rest breaks. Which means they must be cycling very fast! Today they went through the centre of Bristol and out towards Avonmouth before crossing the Severn using the pedestrian route on the A403 road bridge. They have called Radio 2 (Steve Wright) to request the bicycle song but were refused because it wasn't a love song. They have also called Classic FM. Please feel free to call a radio station and give them a plug and a shout out!
They have cycled through South Wales and into Herefordshire. Staying in Crown Hotel outside Monmouth, where there is a very nice lady, a labrador, german shepherd, great dane and two massive Turkish calabash dogs!
After having a headwind all day they are very tired but having a great time nonetheless. They have had glorious weather, are all a bit sunburnt, looking very weather beaten and healthy. Their Pedal for Parkinsons T-Shirts are getting smelly! Cycling to Bridgenorth tomorrow.
7 June - Monmouth to Shrewsbury - 67 miles
Had a good day of cycling through Herefordshire and into Shropshire, sunny but long hills 3-4 miles long.
LINK TO WEEK 2