Day 3: May 20

Truro to Launceston

89 km / 1350 m

Make sure that you have a hearty breakfast today - the route is longer than yesterday's and it's a hilly one!  A few miles into our second day in the saddle sees us riding along an incredibly beautiful stretch of south west England's countryside.  Onwards and upwards (and of course occasionally downwards!) through Wadebridge we will tick off our first hundred miles!  From here we ride inland, towards the small town of Launceston where we spend the evening.  

One benefit of a small, mixed-gender group is that it increases the odds of getting a room by myself.  I didn't opt for the single supplement but others did, so by default I get a room on my own.  Primary benefits are - more space to spread everything out, and the ability to keep my own hours.  I don't go to bed particularly early, and nor do I rise early.  Fifteen minutes is all I need to get up, dressed, organized, and down for breakfast.   Full English breakfast #3 today!

When we meet by the bikes at 8:45, Peter gives us a bit of a route summary for the day as well as where lunch will be and where we can expect to see the van.  The word I've been hearing most frequently to describe the hills is "cheeky".  I've come to learn that that usually means that I'll be off the bike walking up the hill - the multi-sport bike & hike option.  I used to call any hill over a 10% grade "rude", but "cheeky" goes well past that threshold.  Our Scottish lass has assured me, though, that there still is a "rude" category - next after "cheeky" on the gradient; I can hardly wait!  

Lovely scenery again today!  We also saw lots of windmills and some solar panel fields.  A full collection of domesticated animals - sheep, cattle, horses - as well as a tiny fox and a wild turkey on the roads.  I was surprised to see magpies here.  A sampling of the scenery below.

My first field of sheep!  It won't be my last...............

While most of the cars we encounter on these small roads are quite small themselves, we did have a double-decker bus today and some industrial trucks.  As we were travelling largely through farm country it was inevitable that there would be a few tractors as well.

A good use for decommissioned telephone booths.........

Lunch stop at St. Tudy.

Stone fences here have had a bit of a haircut...........

I'm told this is Rough Tor, a tor on Bodmin Moor.  The site comprises the tor summit and logan stone, a neolithic tor enclosure, many Bronze Age hut circles, and some contemporary monuments.  Apparently it is volcanic in origin and is the second highest point in Cornwall.  Of course, I could be mistaken in my identification, but it is a "tor" nontheless.  

Can't forget a picture of some horses...............

Although the map below seems to be (generally) a fairly straight line, we zigzagged quite a bit today.  Mostly we were on quiet small roads but once in a while we got onto more busy thoroughfares.  Overall, though, traffic was great to us once again.  Below is the flattest, straightest section of the day.  Also home to some airplane runways.............

More pretty scenery and the flag of Cornwall.

My favourite sign of the day.  I think everyone should be issued one of these at birth.

A lot of climbing and a lot of sun today.  I think I'll be tired tomorrow...........

We're staying out of town, so not sure if we'll see the castle mentioned below.

Launceston:

Population:  9,200

Launceston is a town, ancient borough, and civil parish in Cornwall.  The landscape of the town is generally steep particularly at a sharp south-western knoll topped by Launceston Castle.  The castle was built by Robert, Count of Mortain (half-brother of William the Conqueror) around 1070.  The castle is apparently still in good repair.  

Hotel:  Trethorne Golf Club  www.trethornegolfclub.com

Ride Stats:

88.9 km

1251 m (4104 feet)

The Route: