Last nights sunset was super pretty. I’m currently paused in south molton having a second breakfast! First one was full english fry up. Now i’m having a stack of 4 pancakes and some tea. In 10 miles or so I’ll be out of dorset!
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Speed
Woo, new top speed attained. 41mph. Now i’m going to have to walk up the other side of the valley tho!
Breakfast
The view from the breakfast table at Furze Farm in torrington. Forecast is for 12mph winds coming from the south. Today is all east across Exmoor towards the flat flat promised land beyond. Showers today and some proper rain tomorrow, but i know my rain gear is pretty good. Anyhow, time to finish shovelling food and repack before hitting the road.
A good sign
Phew, that’s Cornwall done! And, to be honest, i’m glad. Them cornish hills lived up to their reputation. Tired legs and bags meant i had to push up a fair few hills today. But what kind of crazy person at the ctc thought it was a good idea to route over 3 30% gradients? Grumble. One of those descents had just been resurfaced too, which lead to some exciting glentress moments. ?Anyhow, some highlights. There was a brilliant fast long downhill into Tintagel which was a lot of fun. Uhm, and the headwind had dropped from 35mph down to 16mph. Small mercies. Hmm, i’m struggling for good news here. The approach to Torrington include a walk up the steepest residential street i’ve ever seen – mill st is as steep as cockburn st in edinburgh but about 4 times the length. Oh, navigation is good. Loving the gps. I did ad lib a couple of times today, and regretted it every time. And i’m enjoying the ipod when i’m on quiet country roads, although i got some surreal tune picks going up big hills, particularly Prince Charming. ?The other thing which has been notable is the kindness of strangers, even including the countless car drivers who have patiently waited behind me until i reached a point where i could pull in and let them by. The lady who runs tonights bnb have me a lift back into town so i could get food. The builder who i asked directions from were great. Yay for humanity! (I wasn’t saying that on friday night when my motorbike got pushed over for the second time in 2 months).?Anyhow, i need to check in with home to see where i’m staying tomorrow and get a preview of the hills. I know that day 4 is super flat, with the exception of cheddar gorge. But i think day 3 is every bit as hilly as today was. Still, i made it to here and i don’t feel too bad really. No injuries or awful aches yet. Hopefully the wind will turn tomorrow and I’ll get a break. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . .
Irony
Funny sign just before Tintagel. As it turns out, not such a funny morning. Followed the ctc route along the coast. Bad plan. 30 percent slopes do not make for good cycling, especially when they’ve just resurfaced the road. Lots of walking and pushing, boo. It’s a rubbish route really. Pretty, but not for cycling. Made it to Bude for a late lunch, and i’m really hoping the next 30 miles inland are all downhill. Kinda wish i’d printed out the elevation profiles so i’d know what is coming.
Cracking Haven
Massive climb out of Boscastle, then crazy descent to Cracking Haven. Have confirmed that gravity is a conservative field.
Welcome to Cornwall
This should be the logo for the Cornwall tourist office. Climbs and descents today, starting to get ‘challenging’.
Tintagel
Stopped for tea at Tintagel. Walked down a steep path with the bike to take a look at the castle, but then regretted it when I had to push the laden bike back up said hill.
Must … not …
A typical country lane from the ctc bnb route. Very little traffic, plenty of hills. ?But in other news, the lovely people who run tonights bnb welcomed me with cups of tea, then later once i’d fixed their computer we got onto the whisky. Ahem, that’s not in any standard training plan! ?Today in summary: lose: gale force headwind, forcing me down to below walking pace through Penzance. Win: aero bars for minimizing drag. Lose: taking a wrong turning almost straight away and adding a monster climb out of Mousehole unnecesarily. Win: getting 15ukp sponsorship from some random german tourists at lands end. Lose: hearing a clunk going downhill fast, but not realising that i’d lost the top of one of my waterbottles until miles later. Double lose: also missing a turnoff at the same place. Win: rear view mirror. I love it. Lose: the last 10 miles into Wadebridge. Main road at busy time, still windy, pretty hilly. Win: navigating by gps, brilliant. Win: changing the gearing on my bike, couldn’t have done some of those hills on the stock gears. ?Anyhow, i have to do some washing and eating before bed.
Geek
Sandman fans, eat your heart out. 🙂