Well following Helen's blogging from Tavistock yesterday, we headed out over Dartmoor. I did wonder if my prediction of how long it would take before Helen stopped speaking to me was going to arrive in just four days...Dartmoor is rather steep in places and it was my choice to be going that way rather than the shorter and far less hilly Okehampton route. However, the views were stunning, we didn't get arrested and put in Dartmoor prison, we didn't see any Dartmoor ponies but did see some suicidal sheep. Helen got a puncture soon after the prison (well it was her turn for one). We arrived at Sparrowhawk backpackers in Moretonhampstead at about 6 in the evening, then met up for dinner with Rachel at the White Horse pub for a rather fine dinner.
Thursday - RAIN
Unfortunately I picked a very bad time to have left my waterproof with my Dad and got soaking wet in about 5 minutes! We cycled down from Moretonhampstead to Exeter in pretty much record time, largely as every time I stopped I thought I would freeze! Coming into Exeter we realised that it might be time to visit a bike shop as both our front brake pads had disintegrated: at one point I wondered if Helen had caught her brakes on fire after a particularly steep downhill as she was emptying one of her waterbottles over them. Cycled from Exeter to Tiverton via Cowley and Bickleigh - a really quick ride this morning as I didn't dare stop for long and the best way to warm up was to speed along. Went to a bike shop in Tiverton but it was closed so decided to cycle to my Mum and Dad's for lunch before taking the train to Taunton to get a full bike service...the brakes now work! Came back on the train to refuel with my Mum's treacle sponge pudding (us not the train for the refueling).
Planning for a monster cycle day tomorrow (Helen gave up working out the mileage after about 80 miles). My Mum and Dad have offered to take the panniers on to Bradford on Avon, our final stop tomorrow, which will help us cover the distance a bit quicker. Into Somerset tomorrow so hoping that the worst of the South West hills should soon be conquered.
My bike still has no name...
Thursday - RAIN
Unfortunately I picked a very bad time to have left my waterproof with my Dad and got soaking wet in about 5 minutes! We cycled down from Moretonhampstead to Exeter in pretty much record time, largely as every time I stopped I thought I would freeze! Coming into Exeter we realised that it might be time to visit a bike shop as both our front brake pads had disintegrated: at one point I wondered if Helen had caught her brakes on fire after a particularly steep downhill as she was emptying one of her waterbottles over them. Cycled from Exeter to Tiverton via Cowley and Bickleigh - a really quick ride this morning as I didn't dare stop for long and the best way to warm up was to speed along. Went to a bike shop in Tiverton but it was closed so decided to cycle to my Mum and Dad's for lunch before taking the train to Taunton to get a full bike service...the brakes now work! Came back on the train to refuel with my Mum's treacle sponge pudding (us not the train for the refueling).
Planning for a monster cycle day tomorrow (Helen gave up working out the mileage after about 80 miles). My Mum and Dad have offered to take the panniers on to Bradford on Avon, our final stop tomorrow, which will help us cover the distance a bit quicker. Into Somerset tomorrow so hoping that the worst of the South West hills should soon be conquered.
My bike still has no name...
2 comments:
Hello girls, hope the stupidly long ride today has gone well. Surely the other bike has to be called Lightning to go with Jet (yes I am thinking of Gladiators, but it's still a good suggestion!)
That is a VERY long ride!
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