CALLINGTON TO TEDBURN ST MARY.
Pretty quickly we were getting into our routine, up at 7am coffee and breakfast mostly porridge to give us slow release energy, wash, shave etc.
The girls would make a packed lunch, typically egg or tuna sandwiches, fruit and flapjack and Alpen bars, 16 litres of water/juice.
When the route was planned our aim was to avoid built up areas and ride on unclassified roads relatively traffic free. The downside is there are very few places to buy food or fluids.
When the route was planned our aim was to avoid built up areas and ride on unclassified roads relatively traffic free. The downside is there are very few places to buy food or fluids.
Each morning we set out our panniers packed, we carried enough food and fluid for the whole day this of course added weight to the bikes.
On Andy's bike in the right pannier was wet weather coat and hat, winter gloves, over shoes and waterproof trousers a multi tool a chain splitter, 2 split links, 2 spare inner-tubes, pump, puncture repair kit, spare batteries for lights, Chamois cream and of course an emergency toilet roll.
In the left hand pannier a packed lunch for two, 5 litres of drinks (plus two litres on the bike), assorted tie wraps, and a roll of electricians tape.
While the girls were getting the food and water Andy and Beaky packed the campbeds and sleeping bags, packed the tent and gear into the car, then checked the bikes over, while H got the caravan ready to go, all ready to roll for 9am.
All dressed up ready for the off at 9:15 today was the second of our reduced rides due to the elevation gain, the distance was a relatively easy 39 miles with a mere 1000 feet elevation so we were feeling pretty relaxed. At around 10 15 on a lovely sunny morning we came to a single carriageway bridge crossing a river, the bridge was clearly very old with triangle areas for pedestrians to get out of the way of speeding horses and carriages, a great photo opportunity.
We spent several minutes admiring the view and the bridge wondering how old it was and what the river was called, we set off again only to stop at the end of the bridge to find the answer to both questions
On the opposite side of the road was another sign that gave us a surprise, our first county boundary sign...... we were about to leave Cornwall.
So before we got underway we had to stop for photo's with the boundary sign,
Andy and Beaky hatched a plan to get a selfie on Facebook before the girls and managed to convince them to head off and they would follow, The girls set off and as soon as they were round the bend the selfie was taken.............
They quickly mounted the bikes and set off to close the distance to the girls so they would be completely unaware until they saw the selfie on Facebook as they rounded the bend after 100 yards the girls were waiting for them looking down at Jo W's front tyre, our firs flat tyre of the ride.
New tube installed we finally set off on our way happy in the knowledge we we had waved goodbye to Cornwall and were riding through Devon.
We rode on National cycle route 27 to avoid the busy A30, we rode onto a viaduct
for some reason the girls didn't stop for a photograph.
We came across another viaduct this time made of stone and
Jo T was feeling a little braver and stopped for a photo.
Jo T was feeling a little braver and stopped for a photo.
We arrived at Springfield Caravan Park ready for a rest, Unfortunately this was not going to be the case, Lynn and H had been shopping for a new fibre tent pole, all we had to do was release the elastic chord replace the broken section, How long could that take, well I can tell you it wasn't the ten minutes we thought, it was nearer an hour and a half.
After replacing the broken tent pole Andy and Beaky made good use of the table
in the photo below to give all four bikes a clean and service.
This was Lynn explaining how a mysterious dent had appeared in the front wing of the KIA
Also our first chance to get some kit washed and dried.
What was intended to be a nice easy day turned out to be a very long day, I don't remember what time we finished but I do remember walking to the shower block in the dark.
Route and Profile
Garmin Ride Data
Strava Ride Data
Strava Ride Data
Distance 39.0 Miles
Elevation 3294 feet
Riding time 4:53:50
Total distance 135.5 miles
Total elevation 11591 feet
Total Riding time 16 hours 46 minutes
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