Hills, Tires, and Stunning Scenery

Today marked the start of my 8th day on this incredible journey, and what a day it was! I set off just before 7 a.m. from Holsworthy, heading into the early morning darkness along the National Cycling Network route. The air was humid, and as the sun began to rise, the sky lit up with stunning colors. The sight of green hills blanketed in fog, with the vibrant morning hues above, was beyond words – a breathtaking reminder of why I love this challenge so much.

The route quickly turned hilly, with relentless ups and downs that made running with my heavy buggy a real struggle. Gradual climbs are manageable, but steep inclines are a completely different story. It’s all part of this long warm-up phase, getting my body ready for the 500+ days ahead. I reminded myself that every mile is progress, and every hill is building strength.

By mile 10, though, I ran into an issue I’m starting to know all too well – another tire problem, this time on the front wheel. Really?! In the cold and damp morning, the idea of changing the tube felt like a daunting task. Instead, I decided to pump it up periodically and keep moving, knowing I’d have to deal with it properly later. The added resistance made pushing and steering much harder, but I kept going.

Around noon, I met up with my family/crew in Hallworthy. It felt like such a luxury to have their support, even if just for a few days. They brought me food and water and, at my request, went on a mission to find me more spare tubes – because clearly, I’m going through them faster than expected! After refueling, I pressed on toward the RAF Davidstow Moor.

This former Royal Air Force station is now home to free-roaming cows, horses, and sheep, and the views from up there were otherworldly. At times, the landscape felt like I’d been transported to a different planet. The constant pumping of the front tire continued, but the incredible scenery made up for the added effort.

For the final 9 miles, I joined the Camel Trail, winding through the gorgeous Cornish countryside. Despite the challenges of the day, this part of the route was peaceful and rewarding – a perfect way to end a tough but beautiful run.

Finally, I arrived in Bodmin, ready to rest, eat, and tackle the dreaded tire repair after dinner. It’s all part of the adventure, right? 8 days of running behind me, and the journey continues.

Thank you for following along and being part of this experience! Your support means the world to me.