I decided to take the train to Penzance to commence the Lands End to John OGroats (LEJOG) ride. My Royal Tunbridge Wells hosts were sad to see me leave. My Balmain host should take note of that.
What you see on a short ride through London
I took the train to Cannon Street station in the City of London. The train to Cornwall leaves from Paddington in west London, requiring a short bike ride. The route took me past St Pauls, down the Strand passed Trafalgar Square into the Mall. As I rode down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace I noticed a large number of fancy vehicles parked in the road, including a classic Bentley racing car form the 1920’s. The cars were there for the filming of an episode of the Top Gear TV series.
I passed Buckingham Place and rode to Hyde Park corner, passing the Royal Horse Guards returning to their barracks. I then rode through Hyde Park past the preparations for The Rolling Stones concert which will be held on 19 July. A short while later I was in Paddington station.
I don’t think there are any other city in the world that would provide such an interesting 5 klm ride transiting between two railway stations.
The Badboy is of Interest
As I waited for the train three people engaged me in conversation about the Badboy and its Rolloff. Unfortunately they were middle aged blokes. I suspect the bike will never compete with a fancy sports car as far a chat-ups are concerned.
Train to Penzance
The train to Penzance travels through Reading and Taunton before heading south to follow the coast to Plymouth. The train travels quickly for the first part of the journey on relatively straight tracks. Once of the coast the track has many curves, reducing the speeds to Australian style progress. The countryside and seascape is, however, spectacular. The route passes through some very picturesque seaside towns.
Last year I rode along the south coast from Brighton to Poole. As some stage I will have to do the ride from Poole further west along the south coast.
Staying in the Lands End YHA
A 11 klm ride out of Penzance took me to the Lands End YHA near the village of St Just. Amazingly the Garmin knew where it was. After checking in I walked up a series of footpaths and lane ways to St Just.
The most inviting Pub had stopped taking orders for meal at 8.00 pm. I had to dine at the Commercial Hotel – such a non-Cornish name for a pub. I was disappointed that only ‘local ale’ on tap was Doon Bar. It is reasonable drop, however, it is seems to be available everywhere. I wasn’t able to make it back to the other pubs in the village to try and find real local ale.
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