Bruton - Princes Risborough

Miles 105.2 today
In 6hrs 39ns burning 3196 Kcal climbing 4840ft

Miles total 328
In 22hrs 12mins burning 11560 Kcal climbing 21180ft
Most miles in a day : 105.2

I really wish the weather was such that I didn’t feel I need to say anything. But I think I have a rain cloud that has taken to me, and is following me about. We arrived in Bruton in sun, but as I pulled away up High Street, it started to rain. 3 minutes later I was in my raincoat.

Those of you who know Bruton, know that is is not a place to leave without going up hill. I climbed up through North Brewham and on into Warminster by which time it had stopped raining. I tracked round the top of Salisbury Plain, with rain coming and going. The weather really did try, I was riding in the sun with rain at times.

The young man in Market Lavington got a surprise as I took my bike into the Co-op. Good things those automatic doors. He should be happy I didn’t ride in J A few people gave me sideways smiles as I sat on the seat in the middle of the village and ate both of the cakes I had just bought.

The Bee takes advice on wet weather

The weather then really did deteriorate. I could see it coming, a big black cloud to the left, with the rain, like curtains, hanging down from the cloud to the ground. I put the rain jacket on, and switched on my rear light. No point in waiting for it. Then it came, water was running across the road, then the road was covered in sheets of it, cars passing covered me in it. It eased, but was just taking breath, and this time it came so hard I had to stop under a group of trees as I couldn’t see where I was going. Now I’m cold, I can’t stay long. A few minutes later it eased enough to push on. The road, the A road, had a appalling surface, it was just a patchwork of tarmac joining up a series of holes and cracks. Most were full of water, and often hidden. I avoided most of them, and kept thinking ‘don’t puncture’ either by flints penetrating the tyre, or a ‘snake bite’ from the percussion of hitting a hole. I really didn’t want to change a tube in the wet and cold.

Finally, after and hour it stopped. It was odd, it was raining then not, the atmosphere feeling like a warm damp greenhouse. I stopped, ate and ironically put everything I had on. I cycled through Newbury with people in shirtsleeves with dry roads with me wearing a raincoat and gloves. I rang my Dad who was at Streatly and asked him to wait, as I was worried if it rained again I would get too cold, and wanted some more clothes (Being optimistic I had not put knee warmers or shoe covers on that morning) We meet next to the Thames with 80 miles done, and 25 to go up onto the Chilterns

Up onto the Chilterns. Red Kites are supposed to be rare. Not hear. I saw 3 in an hour. They are as common as buzzards in Somerset

The damp may be effecting the seating arrangements: I have done many miles and am used to hours in the saddle, but not in the damp. You can pay a lot for special creams, I now have some ‘healing cream’, which amongst other things deals with nappy rash. I can’t say I need it, but prevention is better than cure.

I feel fine, bit hungry, but today was further and faster than the last two days, and I feel better than I did when I finished yesterday. Tomorrow is shorter, and I hope to meet an old school friend over lunch, almost like being on holiday.

Okehampton - Bruton

Miles 92.8 today
In 6hrs 22mins burning 3133 Kcal climbing 4840ft

Miles total 222
In 15hrs 34 mins burning 8364 Kcal climbing 15340ft
Most miles in a day : 92.8

First thing this morning it was only just raining, and as we prepared to leave the intensity increased to the point where it didn’t seem madness to leave. I rode down to pick up the cycle path along the old railway into Okehampton. It was a nice start a few miles coasting down, and checking the legs.

I joined the Okehampton rush hour queues, which seemed to be caused by the school buses and left heading for Crediton. The general trend was down from the 920ft altitude, with a climb back over from Credition to Tiverton. Mindful of yesterday’s lack of food or water, I called into Tiverton and had a couple of cakes and filled my drinks bottle. The nature of the roads changed, it wasn’t up and down all the time, sometimes it was flat! I found on myself on the Tour of Britain route, but I suspect they will be much faster. Up Hemyock hill onto the top of the Blackdowns and then a descent into South Somerset. Oddly I was not welcomed to Somerset.

The pace increased on the relative flats, but the wind increased and became a cross head wind. So although I could go faster on the flat it wasn’t as fast as it would’ve been without the wind

No tractors going my way today, about 5 going the other way. The Bee got somewhat confused when he found this hive.

Having now crossed three counties, I can say that Somerset has the worst driving standard. It is the careless, thoughtless passing without moving out, or the plain suicidal overtaking on blind bends that marks you out Somerset.

I ended ok, but hungry, I think I tried a bit too hard into the wind at the end. I had a delegation from my workplace to meet me. It was very pleasant and I was most grateful. It was dampened, literally, by the rain, which got heavier whilst we chatted. I stripped in the street, but I managed not to get arrested and no accidents were caused. My body is demanding food to replace the energy used today, so it is time for another cake/biscuit/choc.

Tomorrow is the hard third day and is coming in at around 100miles by the time I get to the B&B. It could well be over 7hrs.

View Day 3: Okehampton to Bruton in a larger map

Lizard to Okehampton

Miles 92.8 today
In 6hrs 51mins burning 3751 Kcal climbing 8260ft

Miles total 130
In 9hrs 12mins burning 5235 Kcal climbing 10800ft
Most miles in a day : 92.8

When I opened the curtains today it was wet but not raining. When we left the house to drive the 4 miles to the start it was mizzle, the light stuff that gets you very wet. When I was ready to go it started to rain properly. So lightweight rain jacket and rear light flashing and I was off.

The Bee let go after 8 miles. The water affected his grip and he was off. We regrouped and got his wet weather gear out. All was well in his world again.

(Aside: I trust you all read the small print of the sponsorship - every inch of rain increases the amount sponsored by 10%)

It became Greg’s world tour of bypassed villages and towns where the route followed the A30 and A390 with me dodging onto the old road. I had another encounter with a tractor which I let pass me and then decided to tuck in and take the ride. This turned out to be a bad idea, as I disappeared in the spray, straw and mud off the trailer. I couldn’t see much and dropped back a car, wiping the water off with gloved hands, then my glasses misted up. Ah, 23mph and we were in shape territory, but I found that I could see out the side of the right hand lense, so alls well. Down the hill and into Sticker and stop in the bus shelter. The lenses were wet both sides, and the clip in prescription lenses have beads of water all over. I wiped all the lenses with a wet jersey, and put them back on. Considering the amount of water still on them, I could see quite well. (Note to self, don’t chase tractors in the wet.)

I quite enjoyed St Austell, on the way in there was a step straight hill and many cars went passed. The now traditional queues of traffic in the town meant I passed them all with interest, using the lovely proper cycle lane. In celebration I decided it had now stopped raining enough, after 3 hrs, and I changed out of my rain jacket.

Lostwithiel meant turn left and an escape from the main road and a 1000ft climb up to Minions on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The up and down continued as it had done all day, just the heights got greater. One of the lows was crossing the Tamar into Devon, at which point the Bee became brave enough to come out of his tent, to enjoy the sunshine.

Wet Weather Gear

I was hungry and thirsty. 16 miles to go and no drink. I saw a couple in their garden and they were happy to fill the water bottle. I had eaten 6 frusli bars and 2 gels and the blood sugar was marginal. The problem was the rain, I had never felt cold, but my body had used energy keeping warm as well as moving forward and upward. When I finally got to our friends house I drank a recovery drink, ate a currant bun, and a couple of ham sandwiches, and had a sit on the floor in the kitchen. We then went out for a meal. I am still quite hungry

Weather forecast for tomorrow is appalling, but at least I start at 920ft high so the general trend is down.

View Day 2 - The Lizard to Okehampton in a larger map

Land's End to Lizard

Miles cycled: 37
In 2hr31m burning 1480 Kcal climbing 2240ft
Most miles in a day (so far) : 37

Today started with somewhat of a surprise as I expected my Dad to collect me about 9am, but he turned up just after 7am, about 10mins after I had got up. Good job I had packed 5 days earlier, so all I had to do was get dressed and eat breakfast.

Land's End

Just over 3 hours later we arrived at Land's End. Whatever you expect, it is not that. Part fast food takeaway, part pub, part shopping centre, large car-park, all with attached photo opportunity.

There is a slight climb away towards Sennen. I noticed I had a heart rate of 00. So either I have about 15 seconds before I keel over, or something is missing. I am definately going well for the heart rate! A quick check and I have forgotton to put the Heart Rate Belt on. Short panic and a call to my Dad established that it was in my jersey pocket where I put it earlier.

St Michael's Mount

Cornwall is hilly and this part didn't disappoint, although I suspect this was just a taster. A combine harvester pulled out in front of me, so I ended up in the cars behind. It was too easy to sit in and we started going down hill, I moved up passing four cars, and then the combine. 300 yards of flat road and then up. It went up to 13%, the combine closed on me and past me just as we crested the hill, then two of the cars. Now we were on the flat, free wheeling again, the cars couldn't pass, so at Cauldrose Airfield I passed the combine. The chase was on, on the flat I pulled away, up hill it came after me, engine bouncing off the limiter. The best bit was that the cars behind couldn't get passed him. The miles went by and I had the joy of being protected from cars on a busy road. I wonder if he wants to come to Lowestoft?

The bee was quite well behaved, but I did loose him near the floral sign at Marazion. I found him will his nose stuck into the display, working his way round and had already got to the M.

The Lizard point is Land's End lite. If you need a bit of serpentine in the shape of a dolphin or lampholder then this is the place for you. The weather was, well the fog horn was sounding from the lighthouse, although it was pleasent enough to sit outside at the cafe.

Breakfast is arranged for 8am as I am keen to get through the A 30 bit of Cornwall early before the traffic picks up.


View Land's End - Lizard in a larger map

Packed and Ready for the off

Packed and ready to go

Yes we, the Bee and me, are packed. In truth I have been more or less packed since Monday, the odd addition here and there, but largely I was ready to go. As the week has gone on I have become more ready to go, and progressively nervous. I really do want to be getting on with it. 

I am also becoming more paranoid about coughs and colds. It is the time of year, I don't mean weather wise, but the household germ machines that many people keep in their houses have got back together in their schools, to amongst other things share their germs and bring them back home. I am sure I have a runny nose, a slight roughness to my throat, etc etc. I reckon I need to make a raid on the Bee's honey when he isn't looking, he can have a Strepsil if he wants one, but I'm not sure what he will do with it. That said, they are Honey and Lemon.

I've finalised the route as far as Wymondham, and booked the B&Bs up to the night before. It has been quite a task. Cornish B&Bs don't seem to like a single night at a weekend. "I think I may have a room, how many nights? No, I'm sorry we are full" I don't believe you (all). Good job I haven't mentioned Bees.

I have had a couple of short easy rides just to relax, and to keep my legs turning over. I'm not certain they know what is coming, but I have shaved them, so I suspect they have a inkling something is on. The bike does know and has taken to producing squeaks and creaks in order to scare me that it will at some point pack up and leave me sitting on the verge waiting for the team car, which I suspect will be miles away with the occupants in tea shop.

Nice, well intentioned people keep telling me the weather forecast is good. I am watching the wind element, which after weeks of westerlies is turning to the east, and getting stronger as the week goes on. I am currently working on the basis that it is a forecast and most likely won't happen like that.

At present, Saturday morning can't come too soon.