Great nights sleep and waking to the sound of crashing waves. Perfect start
Monster
climb out of Sidmouth but spectacular views back out across the coast. Legs are
really tired so I am already thinking that my target of Barnstaple is
unrealistic. Probably could do it if I had to but where is the joy in just
pushing out the miles and not enjoying the actual journey. Just setting the
scene for excuses as to why I don’t make it but frankly the scenery is just too
beautiful and varied to just ride past it, heads down, cursing the hills
The route
to Exmouth was uneventful except at one point I made a bad decision and took a “short
cut” that didn’t work and I had to push the bike down a muddy embankment to get
onto the bike path which turned out to be a disused railway
Today I
have been incredibly lucky. I looked at the timing of the Exmouth ferry and as
it wasn’t running until something like 1030 decided my route should be up the
Ex estuary and then cross at Topsham further up. Good decision as the scenery
and the bike trail were both stunning. Not such a good idea as the ferry didn’t
run on Tuesdays! Found the hut and by a huge stroke a luck there was somebody
there. He had forgotten it was Tuesday and was just hanging around to see if
anybody turned up. Second oldest ferry route in the UK having been going for
500 years. Manhandled the bike onto the ferry and off the other side getting a
bit muddy in the process as it was low tide. He even waived the two pound fare,
what a gent 😊
The ride
back down the estuary was equally beautiful. Passed a family on Bromptons and Asked
how far they went on them. 50 miles easily but get the tyres changed to the
marathon ones as the standard ones aren’t very puncture resistant. Good advice
for next year.
Lost access
to the big ring on my gears so found a bike shop in Newton Abbot where he
adjusted the gears for me and where I was also able to buy a better coat than
the one I have with me. The one I have with me has lost all its water proofing
so it just useful to keep me warm in a shower. The new one is cheap and
cheerful but is at least a bit more shower proof than the one I have. I could
have gone for a rain proof one but whats the point I don’t intend to cycle
hours in the rain if it rains that much. The bike shop was part of a charity
complex for children providing a skate park. Great to see how much it was being
used
Lovely ride
through my fathers home town of Torquay famous for its palm trees and title of
the English Riviera. Cycled through Torre Abbey built in 1196 and along the
coast. Stopped for an ice cream, it is the seaside after all, and watched all
the holiday makers. Tourism is alive and well in the UK still and people
certainly seemed to be having a good time.
The day has
been one climb after another (though none quite as bad as the first one out of
Sidmouth) and I am tired so on reaching Dartmouth I stopped for the night.
Stayed in a 14th century inn just by the ferry next to a tavern and the
best fish and chip shop. Apart from being tired there was nowhere really to
stay between here and Plymouth and I want to go via Slapton Sands and Kingsbridge
and there was nothing down there I could find and its too far to start this late
in the day.
So that’s it,
Barnstaple is now not doable and frankly it’s a good decision. Sat with Google
maps for a while and have made some alternative routes. Depending on the hills
(and the profiles look very lumpy) I will be happy to make Penzance
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