June 19 2017 Truro to Camelford

The heat wave continues to day.  Temperatures were 21 C when we stepped out the door this morning and were headed towards 27 C.  So we rolled out of the bed and breakfast at around 9:00 am after a very nice breakfast of bacon, sausage and eggs. 

The B&B was right on the edge of Truro so we rolled across the street and were in the country riding down a country lane. A couple hundred few further on we got on an old rail line. I was shady and cool under the trees.  Unfortunately this didn’t last long and pretty soon we hitting a bunch of hills. The climbs weren’t few long but were in the 15% range and in the heat they just sapped your energy.   At one point we hit a unpaved section which was so steep and rocky you could barely climb it.  It is hard to understand how this section was put on the National Cycling Network.  We probably lost 20 minutes climbing this hill.  A lot of ups and downs and we came to the King Harry Ferry across the River Fal.  We just missed it an had to wait about 20 minutes for it to come back across.  It was an interesting ferry which pulled itself across the river on these submerged chains. 

More climbs and descents which were so steep all you could do was hang on the brakes.  We pasted a number of interesting sites however we just were not making any time.  We had been on the road for over two hours and only covered 16 kms (10 miles).  Everyone was pretty much all in and we still had 80 kms (50 miles) to go.  So we decided we would cycle on to Mevagissey.   It was another 16 Kms (10 miles) and they were tough miles.  The temperature is around 24 C and 100% humidity with a steady wind of around 25 kms (15 mph) straight into our faces. 

Mevagissey is a very cute little seaside town with a narrow maze of a downtown.   We meet Agnes there for a late lunch and loaded the bikes on to the van.    From there we headed to Lanhydrock which is an National Trust estate home.  It is a huge manor house with large formal gardens.  I took a quick walking tour of the home.  It must have been great to have been part of the landed gentry in the 1800’s.   It was a Downton Abbey flash back.   

I was kind of sad to have to become a roof rider as such an early point in the tour but everyone (myself included was all in).  Bottom line was we covered just 35 kms (22 miles) in 5 hours.  There is just no point killing yourself on these hills in this heat. 

Supper was in this small country pub.  I had the pork chops which were from the owners farm across the street.  There were two chops on the plater and they were among the largest chops I think I have ever had and certainly in the top half a dozen of the most delicious.   What a great place to dine. 

Terry