Contrasting train journeys over two days took us to Penzance. We caught the 11:10 from Bangor, having to change onto a service from Manchester to get us to Newport because Transport for Wales are still running on their reduced Covid timetable, introduced when few were travelling. Now their trains are overcrowded with no enforcement of covid rules, even the staff on trains were not wearing masks.
We stayed overnight in the Travelodge opposite the station and next morning boarded the 08:14 to Penzance with the bikes in the power car of the Castle Class refurbished HST. Plenty of space for bikes and people and hygiene protocol observed.
After prompt arrival,we checked into our accommodation for the night and left the bulk of our luggage to cycle to Lands End. We are still learning how our Wahoo Element GPS mapping devices work. I’d loaded all the daily routes but to reach Land’s End we needed to reverse the first day. I loaded the route and the device asked if I wanted to route to the start. Instead, it devised its own way which took us onto the very busy A30 so we had to refer to the map to find a more pleasant alternative.
We visited the End in 1980 when there was nothing much more than a hut by the signpost where you could pay to have your photo taken but it’s now highly developed with a vast car park, frequent tourist buses and lots of people. Even the B roads were busy but the route back was fine though hilly.
Distance Lands End to Penzance one way: 11.8 miles (19 km)
Ascent: 262 metres