Day 4: Falmouth to Truro
Today started with another busk in Falmouth, and all in all, it was a good day.
Falmouth has been a brilliant town to stop in. After the first few days of getting the journey started, it felt good to spend a bit of time there, play properly, meet people, and let the piano do what it does.
One of the nicest moments today was being recognised by a group of motorbike riders who had passed me on the road a couple of days earlier. We had exchanged a few beeps as they went by, and when they turned up in Falmouth, they recognised me and came over to say hello. It was one of those unexpected moments that makes the journey feel a little smaller and a lot more connected
I also had the pleasure of meeting the Mayor of Falmouth, who came over to introduce himself. He was incredibly kind, polite, and welcoming. That meant a lot. Falmouth really is a lovely town, and the Mayor clearly has a lot to be proud of.
Of course, as we talked about yesterday, not everyone loves a busker.
You cannot please all the people all the time.
At one point, a hair salon nearby seemed to decide that the best response to the piano was to turn their own music up. I think the hope was that I might take the hint and be on my way.
Anyone who has followed me for a while will know that usually has the opposite effect.
It just makes me play longer.
All jokes aside, that is part of busking. Some people love it. Some people do not. Some people stop, smile, and listen. Some people turn the volume up and hope you disappear. You learn to take the day as it comes.
And honestly, Falmouth gave far more kindness than anything else.
After wrapping up two days of busking there, it was time to get moving again.
From Falmouth, I cycled to Truro.
The hill out of Falmouth was a tough one. The funny thing is, it is not ridiculously steep. It just does not stop. Half a mile of it, on and on, with the PianoBike crawling its way up the road.
But we got it done.
Then, about twelve miles later, coming into Truro, there was a proper one. Steeper than anything Falmouth threw at me. A quarter of a mile climbing at nearly a ten percent grade, which is pushing close to the maximum of what the PianoBike can do when it is fully loaded.
At the moment, we are carrying around 525 kg on a bike specified to carry 550 kg. That includes the piano, me, the dogs, water, equipment, and everything else needed to keep this journey moving. So when the road turns up like that, you feel every bit of it.
This journey is definitely becoming a great test case for the manufacturer.
And we have not even hit Scotland yet.
There are moments on climbs like that where the whole thing becomes very focused. The camber of the road matters, the weight of the piano matters. You are not just pedalling. You are managing everything at once.
But that is the journey.
It is not just the miles. It is the town, the busk, the road, the climb, the planning, the problem-solving, and the people you meet along the way.
So here I am, overnighting in Truro.
I am looking forward to playing here tomorrow. There is a cathedral, there is a proper town centre, and there should be plenty of life around.
It is going to be a hot one, so we will see what the day brings.
— James
Day 4 Counter
Falmouth to Truro
Miles travelled: 16.5
Average speed: 10.8 mph
Elevation gain: 1,177 ft
Elevation loss: 1,244 ft
Towns busked: 1 — Falmouth (return visit)
Journey Total
Total miles travelled: 62.7
Total towns busked: 4
