Bikepacking Exeter to Lands End (Almost) 🚵‍♂️

I decided it was time to finish my journey to Lands End that I started last year. That time I made it from London to to Devon (video linked below!) before bad weather and fatigue took me down.

This year, starting in Exeter I planned to finish the trip. Taking roughly the same route I would have done if I hadn’t scratched the year before. Day 1 I went through Dartmoor national park. Day 2 I travelled to the Eden project in Cornwall, and day 3 I made it to Truro where I decided to call it a day.
My Route : https://www.komoot.com/tour/1939963078
London to Lands End attempt 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnJDhToKaoQ
More epic rides : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRQnSYUIURc&list=PLYkMarnIxnDqtbfxyP0l6Xt1kZOhJDpiT

[Music] Heat. Heat. All right, we are finishing off London to Land’s End. Got a train to exit. Day one, we’re going to world camp in Dartmore. Day two, hopefully the Eden Project. I don’t know if it’s open on a Sunday. That would be very disappointing. I might actually have to camp nearby and go on the Monday if it’s not cuz that is a bucket list. And then day three and four, not sure how long it will take. I’m going to get to Lans End and then cycle back to Penzans to get a train. So yeah, glad to finally be finishing this one. Land’s End has been a a goal for a while. Let’s do it. I was going to start from exactly where I left off last time, a place called Kru, which is about 80k back that way, but looking at the route from there to here, it was just like country lanes. So didn’t see the point in doing 80k for no reason. So, we’ll start in Exit and get to get it well into Dartmore today. Probably going to get through to I think it’s James Town in the center if I remember correctly and then see where the nearest camping spot is from there. That’s the plan. We’ll see how it goes. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Look at that. I think that’s an old mine in there. Wow, what a view. Even see the coast over there. One of the many reasons why I wanted to come this way. I saw this view on a commute picture and I was like, “Yep, that’s it.” Incredible. Wow. That is quite something. E. So, I just came over Crest Hill and my thoughts were, I wish I had ice cream and a cold drink. And right in the car park, there was a stall selling exactly that. And when I turned my head, I saw this. So, we’re going to go and have a look. Almost to the top. The bike’s down there somewhere. I’ve just got to go up here and have a look over the crest. Let’s do it. Oh, wow. I’d say that was worth it. Feels [Music] like some cold weather’s moving in. It’s starting to get quite gray and windy. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Oh yeah, look at this. I tell you what, this fog and rain that’s moving in isn’t half setting up a good mood. I mean, look at this. It’s beautiful. This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to get from Dartmore. A mixture of like sun and bleak fog. It’s great. Wonder what this used to be. I’m guessing there’s old mining stuff all throughout Dartmore as well. [Music] Sorry, horses. I’m coming. [Music] I’m getting near Prince Town. I’ve been calling it Jonestown up until now. I don’t know where I got that name from. It might have been the American Old West, but uh no, it’s Prince Town, the big town in the center of Dartmore. I mean, the way the weather is, it’s fog, overcast, rain. I might see if I can find somewhere to stay in Prince Town. I think there’s a premier in or something like that because yeah, it’s looking a bit gnarly out here in terms of the sleeping situation. So, I might just play it safe. [Music] more derelic buildings, I guess. [Music] Kind of tempted to camp in there. It’s getting on 7:00, so we got to start looking for camp spots. [Music] That’s a new one. Thank goodness I’m bored of the rain and fog now. I swear if if there’s nowhere to stay in Prince Town, I’m going to be quite stuck. I was not expecting the weather to turn this way. But we’ll see. Yeah, I’m very hungry. So, even if there’s nowhere to stay, at least I can hopefully get something to eat. We’ll see. Good morning. So, yeah, managed to find a hotel room last night. Thank god it was the last single room left in Prince Town, so I locked out big time. So, I’m reset and ready to go. I thought I’d just come up to HMP Dartmore. You can’t really see much of the the prison’s shut down now, but it’s quite an interesting structure to look at, but you can’t really see it from here. But I thought it’d be a nice place to start today’s video. So, today we’re going to the Eden Project, which is about 60k from here. And uh going to go through some some other interesting places to get there. Uh antique town of Lostil. I think I’m saying that right. Uh, it’s got a nice bridge. It’s got a spa so I can resupply. Um, and the rest of it’s just going to be country lanes, I think. A little bit gravel, maybe. So, let’s get going. In my infinite wisdom, I forgot to bring any kind of cleaning cloth for my chain. I’ve got chain lube, but nothing to clean the chain with, so it’s absolutely filthy today. I have to figure that out. Probably pick something up somewhere. Anyway, I’m in still in Prince Town. Just going to set off now. All right, we are rolling out of Prince Town heading west. Weather’s misty this morning, but it’s meant to clean up into sunshine, and it looks like it’s going to be fairly sunny for the rest of the week. So yeah, I think I’ve hopefully had the worst of it. Morning. It really is beautiful up here. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Oh, [Music] heat, heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Look at this. Almost missed it. I was focusing on the trail. I don’t know what lake or river this is. I will future Darren. We’ll find out, but it’s very beautiful. Steep [Music] [Music] back to civilization. Just realized I had my uh gloves on the front of the bike to dry out cuz I forgot to put them in the drying room last night. And now there’s only one there instead of two. So guess I’m buying a new pair of gloves. Oh well. Yeah, we’re on a cycle way now. National Cycle Network. I forget which one it is. We’re going to follow this for a while. Not sure where it ends to be honest. Come on in. Yeah, this is cycleway 27. I just saw a sign. We are heading west. Another bridge. This one is hu. It’s a bridge that goes downhill. Explain that. Beautiful though. Yeah. This the first bridge I’ve ever been on that goes down. What the hell? Morning. First time of the trip. How is this even a Crossing the river Tamar over this medieval bridge. By the look of things, there’s a lot of bridges in this part of Cornwall. And speaking of Cornwall, we’re now in it. Kerno. Yeah. Steep already. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Look at that. Hello. Right. So, Kit Hill is beautiful, but the way I found down that nah. You got to lift your bike over like three gates, and it’s just no one should have to do that. So, I’m going to do an updated version of this route before I put the video out. So, if you see a version 1.1 or 1.2 or whatever on canoe, it’ll be the updated one with a much better way down off Kit Hill. I’d say Kit Hill is optional. It’s a really nice viewpoint, but I don’t know if there’s another way down it. So, there might be an up and back the way it came again on the updated route. So, just be aware. But it is beautiful up there. For now, onwards. We’re getting near Lost with Eel. I think it might be the next big stop. That’s where I want to get some food and restock some supplies. So, let’s have a look. Cornwall is absolutely stunning. It makes you work for it, but damn. Another thing I’m loving about Cornwall is every time you go past a farm, there’s an honesty box with loads of stuff outside it, like eggs and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring any cash with me, so I’ve had to cycle past all of them going, “Please, it’s great. I don’t think I’ve seen this many honesty boxes in all my life.” It’s like every single country lane you go down, there’s one Heat. Heat. [Music] Wonder who this is going to have to look it up. Okano. I don’t know what that means. Wow. Look at this. [Music] What goes down must go back up steeply. All right, hopefully we’re close. It has taken me 6 hours to do 74 km. That gives you an idea just how brutal it is around here. Yeah, lost wheel. Food, drink, maybe somewhere to stay. Going to see if I can make it to Eden Project tonight, but probably not. Depends if if there’s somewhere to stay in Los or not. I don’t know yet. But that’s the plan. [Music] Finally here. I’m going to get a pint and sit right there. Yeah, let’s find a pub. I’m going to push on to the Eden Project. I just took some time to look at the map and it’s only about another 10 km from here. So, yeah, going to do that. Oh, there you go. Yeah, that happens a lot in combo. I recommend slowing down on corners. Yeah, my GoPro ran out of battery. From what I can tell, the youth hostel glamping stuff does not exist anymore, which is something that was not on my bingo card. Yeah, this is probably where the uh glamping tents are supposed to be. Well, there’s going to be one tent here tonight. Right there. I’m quite excited. Quite excited about getting some breakfast first. slowly making my way down there. This must be what an ant feels like when a golf ball lands next to it. out. Getting pretty big now. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Going on to the canopy at the top. Heat [Music] up here. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] That was incredible. Sorry I didn’t get much footage from the top of the lookout, but my vertigo was kicking in big time. It’s all the way up there. You can just about see the staircase. It’s like right here. Yeah. So, I I was going to get a 360 with the GoPro, but my body would not let me. Yeah. This is uh this is an incredible place. I recommend making the effort to get here if you haven’t already. It’s something quite special. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] All [Music] [Applause] [Music] right, that’s Eden project done. Absolutely incredible. Do it. If you haven’t been, you know, that rainforest poem is incredible. Now then, the bike wasn’t even locked, but I figured it’s the Eden project. You’re not exactly getting opportunists just walking by. So, that worked out. Now, I’m going to try and get to Truro today. It’s about I think about 60 70k and then I might be able to push fans in tomorrow, but knowing com. So, yeah, we’ll see. Um, I’m trying not to be in too much of a rush. I figured I’d finish this thing in three to four days. It’s going to be more like four, maybe five. So, I’m just trying to relax and I’ve got time. I’ve got a whole of this week off. So, I don’t know what I’m rushing for. I just can’t help myself. Let’s go. All right. Just come out of the Eden Project. I’m now on the Wheel Martin Trail which takes me somewhere. Yeah. Uh yeah, the Eden Project is a very inspiring place. I think we need more positive forward thinking places like that. The way the world is right now, it can get quite depressing. So going somewhere like the Eden project that shows that we can have the climate in check, sustainable farming, sustainable growth and a beautiful planet. I think it uh I think the message it sends is very good and more people need to visit to get that get that feeling. Considering that might be the only time in my life that I get to experience the rainforest. Yeah, that was one hell of a bucket list item ticked off. What an incredible place. Look at that. Looks like another old uh quarry or mining pit. I think this trail dances around quite a few of them in this area. Mist is still coming in. You see it rolling over the top here. All right, let’s continue. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] This is a great cycle path. I recommend it. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] Oh, thank you. [Music] Thank you. [Music] Thank you. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] One, two. [Applause] [Music] [Music] for you. [Music] Hey Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] Lovely. Oh my god, it’s so steep. [Music] Yeah, I’m beginning to think following the coast, bad idea. But this incredible scenery is the side of Cornwall I wanted to see. So, no matter how painful it is, I’m just going to deal with it. I don’t feel good. I’ve lost all power in my legs. I feel like I’m about to bonk even though I’ve been eating and drinking loads. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know how far I am from Truro. I think maybe about 20 30k. But I’m really thinking about stopping in Truro cuz I don’t I don’t feel right. It’s just come on all of a sudden. It’s weird. I just stuffed my face and I still feel like I’m about to bonk. We’ll see. Wow. Yeah, I’m still not feeling any better. The thought of stopping in Turo is getting very enticing. In fact, I think it’s likely. It’s only about 16 km to Churro. But yeah, I’m I’m I’m eating and drinking more and just nothing’s happening. My body is just telling me it’s it’s had enough. I think Cornwall wins this time. All right, let’s get to Turo and see [Applause] [Applause] Look at this. Absolutely stunning. I think I saw this and I knew it was time to call it quits because you see something like this and I I just remember wishing that it was Truro train station and that’s how you know that it’s time to stop when even something like this you wish was a train station. So yeah, my body is just not responding to food and drink the way it should. I wonder if it’s something like heat exhaustion or something. It’s been brutally hot today. I don’t know. I think the only other time I felt like this was at the end of uh doing the South Downs Way in one hit where just food and drink was doing nothing and I was just a bit broken. So yeah, I think I’m going to call it. I’m only like 5k away from Turo, so it’s not that bad. But I’m looking forward to getting home and having like three showers, then ordering the biggest pizza you’ve ever seen in your life. All right, let’s get to Truro. [Music] Yeah, I was on my way to the station and this has happened as well. It is extremely cold, gray, and miserable. So, I think even if my body was feeling all right, the weather might have put me off. So, I think I’m being told to call it quits. That should be bad though.