Room 304 at the King's Head, Monmouth was a good room at this Weatherspoons. My wet washing dried fairly well, and is now getting its 2nd drying opportunity in Clun. Reception for WiFi was useless, so day 4 still awaits publishing. I hope to get the password at Thomas cottage, because my mobile has no signal. Perhaps Peak Tours ought to warn us about availability and connectivity of communications in our various accommodations en route? When.you haven't conveyed arrival after crossing Dartmoor, you can understand the family's concern.
North out of Monmouth we had 30 minutes of ascents, and then undulations. The sun came out and it was pleasant; the clouds then cooled us down again.
Our lunch was in an amazing Ye Olde Teashoppe in Pemberton - highly recommended! Enough said! If Sue is worried about our calorie intake being sufficient you have to see the lunch spreads we enjoy, and the elevenses and tea stops at the Peak Tours van, where we wolf down dried fruit, nuts, biscuits and bananas, as well as a hot drink and a top up of our water bottles. The organisation looks after us so well.
The day started just before 0900 with bike maintenance and checks before the briefing outside the King's Head. I had my front brakes tightened. I led the entourage uphill for the first few minutes. I'm the only one with a pair of panniers, but I have anything necessary for a weather change or emergency- typical or not?!
The forecast was for heavy scattered showers. As we left the lunch stop we had light rain for 10minutes and then cloud and sun with a following wind on the shortest distance day. I was at my billet by 1545 having missed the tea-stop. I have a single room tonight with ensuite, in a tiny cottage where you have to duck your head even if you are only 1.5m tall (5ft-ish).
Tomorrow is a longer day to Runcorn so we start at 0830.
Enjoy the last 2 days of blogs.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Day 3: moretonhampstead to Glastonbury. Wetter as we went!
Last night was a struggle to communicate. WiFi and mobile reception was rubbish and I was frustrated walking up and down High Street and floors of the B&B searching for an elusive signal. Overnight I got six messages; from Sue, Hannah, and Mercy Ships' team Caroline who is based in Exeter.by the time I attemted to text back, the signal was lost!
Caroline knew our route and arranged to meet at 1030 opposite a bike shop after 14 miles. I let one group go, and chatted for ten minutes, before attaching to a later duo who knew where they were going! Caroline fortified me with two portions of flapjack. So,so welcome in the cold and wet at 1500 and 1600 hours. We had stopped for an early lunch near Honiton, and the chilli con carne tasted great. Then there was a steep hill to climb, a broad plateau to cross, than a long descent to Corfe. The longest free-wheel on brakes ever for me at over two miles. My rear brake effectiveness and noise was altered, and in the rain the brake rubber was wiping off as grey slime! It needs fixing tomorrow.
The tea stop was a moment to put on the fleece and regain some body heat. I was ready for a shower in Glastonbury at 1800, and supper at the Hundred Monkeys at 1900. My order went astray, and later arrivals had eaten their food before mine arrived!
Tomorrow we go through Bristol, over the Severn Estuary and up to Monmouth. Will the Welsh weather be better? Today was the third hard day. Tomorrow is labelled as moderate.
We shall see!
Caroline knew our route and arranged to meet at 1030 opposite a bike shop after 14 miles. I let one group go, and chatted for ten minutes, before attaching to a later duo who knew where they were going! Caroline fortified me with two portions of flapjack. So,so welcome in the cold and wet at 1500 and 1600 hours. We had stopped for an early lunch near Honiton, and the chilli con carne tasted great. Then there was a steep hill to climb, a broad plateau to cross, than a long descent to Corfe. The longest free-wheel on brakes ever for me at over two miles. My rear brake effectiveness and noise was altered, and in the rain the brake rubber was wiping off as grey slime! It needs fixing tomorrow.
The tea stop was a moment to put on the fleece and regain some body heat. I was ready for a shower in Glastonbury at 1800, and supper at the Hundred Monkeys at 1900. My order went astray, and later arrivals had eaten their food before mine arrived!
Tomorrow we go through Bristol, over the Severn Estuary and up to Monmouth. Will the Welsh weather be better? Today was the third hard day. Tomorrow is labelled as moderate.
We shall see!
Day2: Fowey to Moretonhampstead. 62 miles later
We met on the brodnick ferry at Fowey at 0845, and immediately had a hill and sharp turn. My chain came off, and this iPad jumped out onto the concrete! One graze to the technology and I'm writing on it now. No more bike antics today.
Before 1200 we had reached the Edgecumbe Arms beside the Cremyll ferry to Plymouth. We had a carvery to fortify us; perhaps I should have had 2nd helpings, but i had a large cooked breakfast 4 hours earlier. The ferry was £1.45 for an adult and 50 p for the bike. It left very 30 minutes, so it suddenly had its foredeck littered with 15 or so bikes.
We meandered around the Plymouth shoreline then got Sustrans routes 2, then 27, up the Plymm valley on a gentle gradient for miles on quality surface. That was the best cycling of the day. It then got tougher at the top as we moved towards Dartmoor. I had applied suncream this morning: To no value! Arriving near our destination the sun took its hat off, then it was spitting with rain as I arrived at the B&B.
I was hot from my exertions and cold from the wind that kindly followed us. I walked up several ascents as the energy sapped. They said today was one of the harder days. I agree on the route so far!
One of the group turns 50 tomorrow. Celebrations tomorrow night.
Before 1200 we had reached the Edgecumbe Arms beside the Cremyll ferry to Plymouth. We had a carvery to fortify us; perhaps I should have had 2nd helpings, but i had a large cooked breakfast 4 hours earlier. The ferry was £1.45 for an adult and 50 p for the bike. It left very 30 minutes, so it suddenly had its foredeck littered with 15 or so bikes.
We meandered around the Plymouth shoreline then got Sustrans routes 2, then 27, up the Plymm valley on a gentle gradient for miles on quality surface. That was the best cycling of the day. It then got tougher at the top as we moved towards Dartmoor. I had applied suncream this morning: To no value! Arriving near our destination the sun took its hat off, then it was spitting with rain as I arrived at the B&B.
I was hot from my exertions and cold from the wind that kindly followed us. I walked up several ascents as the energy sapped. They said today was one of the harder days. I agree on the route so far!
One of the group turns 50 tomorrow. Celebrations tomorrow night.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Day 1: st Just via Land's End to Fowey
I'm writing from a room overlooking the river harbour at the Galleon Inn. It is still overcast, but the view is splendid. I'm sharing with Graham from Aberdeen who I have teamed up with for most of the day. When the ascent was too steep he would dismount, and I often took that as my cue to stretch my legs and rest my posterior!
The day started with me waking at 0530. Typical for me in the summer, and the room and bedwere comfortable. I shared with Philip, from Andover, who is younger and rides a road bike. I wasn't in his league. Breakfast at 0730 with John from Preston, Graham, and another John. We cycled up to the centre of St Just for team brief before cycling 5miles for Group photo at Land's End signpost. We started our epic minutes after 0900. We retraced a couple of miles, and then headed for Penzance harbour, then along the seafront to Marazion for first tea stop. Both Peak Tours vans were at the Rendez-vous point opposite the beautiful St Michael's Mount -shrouded in the Cornish sea mist. That was the easy cycling part of the day!
1100hrs and the mist turned to rain, which got heavier as we stopped for a buffet lunch at the Royal Oak in a remote village. Leaving there, my chain fell off twkice on the next couple of hills! Easily corrected, but dirty hands from then on. Moved on to one of only five chain ferries across the Fall at the King Harry Ferry. You descend to it on a steep hill, and adjust your gears for the steep ascent on leaving the car ramp. I had teamed up with Graham before lunch, and we stuck together until the 1515 teastop. I say tea, but my favoured drink currently is hot chocolate.
As I turned my bike to leave, Lee, the senior tour guide, examined my front tyre, that was deflating as we listened. 15 minutes later my thrice-holed inner tube was replaced from my own supply, and Lee had pulled a new outer tyre from his van's supplies, and fitted my replacement. Service with a smile and loads of expertise. I caught up with Graham ten miles further on, for the final climb into Fowey.
Now for calorie replacement: i learnt that my estimates from the Garmin are for a cyclist pedalling continously, like Bradley Wiggins & Co. when I am on a descent, I'm often free-wheeling, and taking my saddle position resting postures- off the seat for a wriggle!
Now for food. Rendez-vous at ferry at 0845 tomorrow.
Thanks agian for travellin with me
The day started with me waking at 0530. Typical for me in the summer, and the room and bedwere comfortable. I shared with Philip, from Andover, who is younger and rides a road bike. I wasn't in his league. Breakfast at 0730 with John from Preston, Graham, and another John. We cycled up to the centre of St Just for team brief before cycling 5miles for Group photo at Land's End signpost. We started our epic minutes after 0900. We retraced a couple of miles, and then headed for Penzance harbour, then along the seafront to Marazion for first tea stop. Both Peak Tours vans were at the Rendez-vous point opposite the beautiful St Michael's Mount -shrouded in the Cornish sea mist. That was the easy cycling part of the day!
1100hrs and the mist turned to rain, which got heavier as we stopped for a buffet lunch at the Royal Oak in a remote village. Leaving there, my chain fell off twkice on the next couple of hills! Easily corrected, but dirty hands from then on. Moved on to one of only five chain ferries across the Fall at the King Harry Ferry. You descend to it on a steep hill, and adjust your gears for the steep ascent on leaving the car ramp. I had teamed up with Graham before lunch, and we stuck together until the 1515 teastop. I say tea, but my favoured drink currently is hot chocolate.
As I turned my bike to leave, Lee, the senior tour guide, examined my front tyre, that was deflating as we listened. 15 minutes later my thrice-holed inner tube was replaced from my own supply, and Lee had pulled a new outer tyre from his van's supplies, and fitted my replacement. Service with a smile and loads of expertise. I caught up with Graham ten miles further on, for the final climb into Fowey.
Now for calorie replacement: i learnt that my estimates from the Garmin are for a cyclist pedalling continously, like Bradley Wiggins & Co. when I am on a descent, I'm often free-wheeling, and taking my saddle position resting postures- off the seat for a wriggle!
Now for food. Rendez-vous at ferry at 0845 tomorrow.
Thanks agian for travellin with me
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Ready for anything?!
Our Bank Holiday Monday continued with beautiful weather. I didn't get to West Moors or Verwood as planned because I went shopping in Christchurch first. I got as far north up to the west end of Hurn Airport, and returned to Bransgore to complete household jobs that always need doing.
For the May Fair, Sue and I took the tandem out for our first ride together since it was overhauled with its original livery! It is so heavy to steer after riding a hybrid bike, and our co-ordination means that we wobble left and right at the same time at different ends of the 2-person bike, giving the movement quite a swing. We circumnavigated the village, and really enjoyed the fete. the Community Church's band "Disfunction" were superb, and the Bournemouth Brass Band men were amazing in their Spidermen outfits in their various shapes and sizes. Catching a glimpse of 3 more active ones at the top of the mobile climbing wall was a sight for sore eyes!
The bike with its handlebar mirror removed fitted into Sue's MPV, and came back to Eaton Bray. On Tuesday I went over to Wendover Hill which was an amazing circuit of Hale Road, Hale Lane and Aston Hill. 14% hill with poor surface needed me to dismount, and I had the head camera videoing 10 minutes of the best bit. The Wednesday I took the A4146 road down to Hemel Hempstead, cut acros the north of HH to A4147 to St Albans, and had soup and bread with Hannah & grand-daughter Josie. I returned via Harpenden and Caddington. All in all the Garmin informs me that I have managed 220 miles in the last week. thursday's weather is wind followed by rain, so I'm anticipating rest days.
i spent the sunny morning weeding the patio and front drive as the wind began to pick up. in the afternoon the gusts were impressive, and I was glad not to be on the EndtoEnd trip already!
On Friday Janes, my local cycle shop, had it's keen cyclist repairer, Marcus, back in action, and I took the Raleigh Urban 5 in for a service, thinking nothing was wrong.
At the end of the day the bike bill was £164! 4,000 miles of commuting on the bike has saved me lots of petrol and parking bills! that's my way to view that expense! The chain set on the back wheel had worn out after 4,000 miles in the last 2 years, and had welded solid to the back wheel. The chain was so loose the measure device almost fell into the next link hole! The brake cables were replaced, along with back wheel and chain set and chain, and I have those spare inner tubes.
In Thursday morning's post, the fixing kit from Evans cycles had arrived so I now have a detachable front pannier secured on my handlebars, which I can take off when at stop-overs. So all I need now is to be at Paddington Station for the midday train to Penzance, and then be taken across the Cornish peninsular to St Just where we will be billetted on Saturday night.
Sunday will begin with a 6-mile ride to Land's End, team photos and the Set-off. The weather looks good for the first three days till rain might catch us in Bristol area.
Thanks for reading this far. Please keep journeying with me. Remeber Sue as she has the fortnight without me.
Michael
For the May Fair, Sue and I took the tandem out for our first ride together since it was overhauled with its original livery! It is so heavy to steer after riding a hybrid bike, and our co-ordination means that we wobble left and right at the same time at different ends of the 2-person bike, giving the movement quite a swing. We circumnavigated the village, and really enjoyed the fete. the Community Church's band "Disfunction" were superb, and the Bournemouth Brass Band men were amazing in their Spidermen outfits in their various shapes and sizes. Catching a glimpse of 3 more active ones at the top of the mobile climbing wall was a sight for sore eyes!
The bike with its handlebar mirror removed fitted into Sue's MPV, and came back to Eaton Bray. On Tuesday I went over to Wendover Hill which was an amazing circuit of Hale Road, Hale Lane and Aston Hill. 14% hill with poor surface needed me to dismount, and I had the head camera videoing 10 minutes of the best bit. The Wednesday I took the A4146 road down to Hemel Hempstead, cut acros the north of HH to A4147 to St Albans, and had soup and bread with Hannah & grand-daughter Josie. I returned via Harpenden and Caddington. All in all the Garmin informs me that I have managed 220 miles in the last week. thursday's weather is wind followed by rain, so I'm anticipating rest days.
i spent the sunny morning weeding the patio and front drive as the wind began to pick up. in the afternoon the gusts were impressive, and I was glad not to be on the EndtoEnd trip already!
On Friday Janes, my local cycle shop, had it's keen cyclist repairer, Marcus, back in action, and I took the Raleigh Urban 5 in for a service, thinking nothing was wrong.
At the end of the day the bike bill was £164! 4,000 miles of commuting on the bike has saved me lots of petrol and parking bills! that's my way to view that expense! The chain set on the back wheel had worn out after 4,000 miles in the last 2 years, and had welded solid to the back wheel. The chain was so loose the measure device almost fell into the next link hole! The brake cables were replaced, along with back wheel and chain set and chain, and I have those spare inner tubes.
In Thursday morning's post, the fixing kit from Evans cycles had arrived so I now have a detachable front pannier secured on my handlebars, which I can take off when at stop-overs. So all I need now is to be at Paddington Station for the midday train to Penzance, and then be taken across the Cornish peninsular to St Just where we will be billetted on Saturday night.
Sunday will begin with a 6-mile ride to Land's End, team photos and the Set-off. The weather looks good for the first three days till rain might catch us in Bristol area.
Thanks for reading this far. Please keep journeying with me. Remeber Sue as she has the fortnight without me.
Michael
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Retiring to the gardens.
I proposed going to Exbury gardens for the next trip. It seemed it wouldn't happen. Those phone calls went unanswered till after midday. Then after lunch I set off across the New Forest to get to Exbury, south of Beaulieu. Sue drove up minutes before me, having gone by the major roads.
The gardens were respendent with magnolia, rhodedendron, azalea and peiris; even some daffodils were still swaying in the breeze off the estuary. We had a slow leisurely walk for two hours around this stately home's garden. Then i hit the road for the return. I chose the B3054 from Beaulieu to Lymington, and it was a straight road on a gradual ascent into the prevailing wind! Hard graft! I followed the main road back to Highcliffe, and then the country lanes back to Bransgore. A 40 mile round trip, following the 50 miles to Swanage yesterday.
Naomi came down from Winchester for lunch today, and we then travelled to Furzey Gardens, winner of a gold medal at the Chelsea flower show last year. For the young at heart, there are lots of fairy houses to find in the central area of the garden. Naomi took delight in catching the images on her camera, for when she might return with a young niece! We enjoyed the variety of colours and the bird songs. Furzey Gardens is hidden in the back lanes of the centre of the New Forest, but my route there worked well to get me to Minstead. My return was more leisurely through Newtown, and the Boldoverwood arboretum, which I can recommend. So a Sunday of 20 miles or so, as the distances clock up.
There's a Fun Day in Bransgore tomorrow afternoon, so i plan a morning ride, to go via Hurn to Verwood, and back via Ringwood. So four days of variety, before we head home to Eaton Bray. The family think I'm fit enough for the End-to-End; will my stamina be up to the extra 6000 calories each day for 14 days? I wonder what the bathroom scales will say on Tuesday morning, after Sue's attempts to stop me getting thin!
The gardens were respendent with magnolia, rhodedendron, azalea and peiris; even some daffodils were still swaying in the breeze off the estuary. We had a slow leisurely walk for two hours around this stately home's garden. Then i hit the road for the return. I chose the B3054 from Beaulieu to Lymington, and it was a straight road on a gradual ascent into the prevailing wind! Hard graft! I followed the main road back to Highcliffe, and then the country lanes back to Bransgore. A 40 mile round trip, following the 50 miles to Swanage yesterday.
Naomi came down from Winchester for lunch today, and we then travelled to Furzey Gardens, winner of a gold medal at the Chelsea flower show last year. For the young at heart, there are lots of fairy houses to find in the central area of the garden. Naomi took delight in catching the images on her camera, for when she might return with a young niece! We enjoyed the variety of colours and the bird songs. Furzey Gardens is hidden in the back lanes of the centre of the New Forest, but my route there worked well to get me to Minstead. My return was more leisurely through Newtown, and the Boldoverwood arboretum, which I can recommend. So a Sunday of 20 miles or so, as the distances clock up.
There's a Fun Day in Bransgore tomorrow afternoon, so i plan a morning ride, to go via Hurn to Verwood, and back via Ringwood. So four days of variety, before we head home to Eaton Bray. The family think I'm fit enough for the End-to-End; will my stamina be up to the extra 6000 calories each day for 14 days? I wonder what the bathroom scales will say on Tuesday morning, after Sue's attempts to stop me getting thin!
Saturday, 4 May 2013
Dad's lost his bottle!
Upgrade, upgrade!
The last week has seen me moving forward in equipping and training. The weather has permitted the padded shorts and lycra tops to be worn without flourescent weatherproof coverings. A slimmer Michael is revealed!
The panniers have seen the light of day, and the backpack has been relegated to the garage. A front pannier was purchased from Evanscycles in Milton Keynes, but they didn' t include the fixing kit to secure it to the handlebars. Hopefully the package will fit through our letterbox on a first class delivery. It is cooler cycling without the extra layer and the backpack. So that was a 40 mile round trip to MK. Some of their cycle tracks were great (the red route to town centre), but the others had lost their signposts to vandals and graffiti, which doesn't help the visitor to get around. Cyclepaths can be short cuts, but they can also be the long way round too! I went up on the A5, and returned through Woburn Sands and Hockliffe. I try to do cyclical routes for variety and experience of navigation.
SPD pedals fitted on very easily, the shoes are comfortable, and i have managed to engage and disengage from the foot clips with relative ease. I need to remember that action when I am tired. Ivinghoe and Tring were my first jaunt with the pedals and my hamstrings ached a bit more than usual afterwards. Yesterday we travelled to Swanage from Bransgore. Sue drove 58 miles in the car, but my routes amounted to 50 miles, going via Wareham, and returning over the Studland Sandbanks ferry. A beautiful sunny day to wait on the sea-shore for Sue looking at Old Harry's rocks and the Needles. I feel great after burning off 3500 calories on some pleasant roads and paths.
So we had a fish dinner at the Cliffhanger in Highcliffe at the end of the day after soup in Swanage. I also had a spinach and feta cheese pasty there which had a high salt intake; Sue showed me that feta is made as a brine cheese. We both leant something!
The weather today is not so inviting. Cool and blustery. Sue mentioned the tandem, but I'm not sure it's a good day for that. Exbury gardens appeals, but I haven't looked at a map.
Men's breakfast at Bransgore Community Church this morning was a full English with all the trimmings. A good speaker too. So now to see what the day holds as I adjust to retirement. That happened last Tuesday, and 30 of the department came to a wonderful send-off meal at the Cafe Masala in Eaton Bray on the Wednesday night.
And the lost bottle? I have two clips for water bottles on the bike frame, and on the bumpy Christchurch causeway to Burton, the water bottle jumped off and went for its own burton. So Dad lost his bottle. I do have another down here, and spares back home in Eaton Bray.
Here's to cycling and safety.
The last week has seen me moving forward in equipping and training. The weather has permitted the padded shorts and lycra tops to be worn without flourescent weatherproof coverings. A slimmer Michael is revealed!
The panniers have seen the light of day, and the backpack has been relegated to the garage. A front pannier was purchased from Evanscycles in Milton Keynes, but they didn' t include the fixing kit to secure it to the handlebars. Hopefully the package will fit through our letterbox on a first class delivery. It is cooler cycling without the extra layer and the backpack. So that was a 40 mile round trip to MK. Some of their cycle tracks were great (the red route to town centre), but the others had lost their signposts to vandals and graffiti, which doesn't help the visitor to get around. Cyclepaths can be short cuts, but they can also be the long way round too! I went up on the A5, and returned through Woburn Sands and Hockliffe. I try to do cyclical routes for variety and experience of navigation.
SPD pedals fitted on very easily, the shoes are comfortable, and i have managed to engage and disengage from the foot clips with relative ease. I need to remember that action when I am tired. Ivinghoe and Tring were my first jaunt with the pedals and my hamstrings ached a bit more than usual afterwards. Yesterday we travelled to Swanage from Bransgore. Sue drove 58 miles in the car, but my routes amounted to 50 miles, going via Wareham, and returning over the Studland Sandbanks ferry. A beautiful sunny day to wait on the sea-shore for Sue looking at Old Harry's rocks and the Needles. I feel great after burning off 3500 calories on some pleasant roads and paths.
So we had a fish dinner at the Cliffhanger in Highcliffe at the end of the day after soup in Swanage. I also had a spinach and feta cheese pasty there which had a high salt intake; Sue showed me that feta is made as a brine cheese. We both leant something!
The weather today is not so inviting. Cool and blustery. Sue mentioned the tandem, but I'm not sure it's a good day for that. Exbury gardens appeals, but I haven't looked at a map.
Men's breakfast at Bransgore Community Church this morning was a full English with all the trimmings. A good speaker too. So now to see what the day holds as I adjust to retirement. That happened last Tuesday, and 30 of the department came to a wonderful send-off meal at the Cafe Masala in Eaton Bray on the Wednesday night.
And the lost bottle? I have two clips for water bottles on the bike frame, and on the bumpy Christchurch causeway to Burton, the water bottle jumped off and went for its own burton. So Dad lost his bottle. I do have another down here, and spares back home in Eaton Bray.
Here's to cycling and safety.
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