Lands End - The Final Day!!

After a good breakfast, we drove back to St Agnes to commence the final leg of our challenge, an easy 43 miles to Lands End (or so we thought). Setting off at 10am in short sleeves and cycling shorts, we completed approximately 20 yards before the first drop of rain fell, which was rapidly followed by another and another and another. We donned raincoats and continued into what quickly turned into the heaviest downpour of the whole trip. The road disappeared under water and the headwind ensured the rain stung the legs and face; what a way to finish. Eventually the rain subsided, but the headwind continued to try and prevent us from getting anywhere, and what a good job it was making of this. Tracking the northern coastline of Cornwall, we passed through Gwithian, a favourite holiday destination from Andy’s childhood and made our way to St Ives. Negotiating the hilly zigzag climb out of the town, we decided to stop for refuelling at the first café we could find. Not long after we noticed a sign indicating The Munch Box Café - Open Next Left, brilliant we thought, just what we need. Turning left we were met with a vertical climb which led up yet another hill, the lengths we’ll go to, to get a Latté. Eventually we found ourselves at the end of a trading estate, no sign of a welcoming café anywhere, it was then we turned around to find the Munch Box snack trailer in an empty car park, with a few plastic chairs and a table. No speciality coffees to be had there, so it was a quick paper cup of tea and on we went. By now the headwind was really blowing and the rough road surface, combined with the long hills and a 1000 miles plus of cycling in the legs made the going quite taxing, but with the end now in sight we relaxed into a steady pace and enjoyed the last few miles. Imagine our surprise to be cheered on randomly by a chap in a lay-by who as we passed by, we recognised as Pete, one of our cycling pals who had been working in the area and had taken an extended lunch break to welcome us into the finish. Over the last few miles we caught a number of other End to End cyclists who were all working hard to reach the end of their challenge and in the opposite direction were a few who were just starting out (at least they had a good tailwind). The finish point soon appeared on the horizon and we pedalled into Lands End together to meet up with Papa Smurf who was there to welcome us in. Never missing an opportunity to fundraise he had been busy collecting donations whilst waiting for us. After taking numerous end of the challenge photos at the tourist signpost, (luckily they hadn’t taken the arms off the sign this time) we packed up the bikes and headed out to meet up with Andy’s Mum and Dad for a celebratory lunch. With balloons, banners and a mountain of food to greet us they made us feel like celebrities, and Papa Smurf awarded us a glass memento of the challenge which he had purchased way back in John O’Groats. Changing back into civvies we sat down to a lunch comprising of a giant Cornish Pastie each, infact we’re not sure whether the pasties were large or whether Andy had just wasted away from his exertions over the last 11 days, as his pastie appeared to be the same size as his head!! These were swiftly followed by numerous scones with jam and cream and several cups of tea. By now it was 4pm and time to head back to home. Total miles today 43 miles, total distance to date 1102 miles!! Challenge completed!!