Tuesday 6th June 2017
MAP
After yesterday nothing was ever going to be worse. On this mornings local news weather report she said that yesterdays rain fall on Dartmoor had been 3″ – the heaviest in 13 years – why did it have to be the day I cycled across Dartmoor?
When I opened the curtains this morning all I could see was blue skies but then on closed inspection every thing apart from the part directly in front of my window was black. The forecast was for showers but still the very strong winds so we just had to dress accordingly.
Breakfast was good again and we were ready to leave Morton Hampstead at 9 o’clock. As with yesterday the very first part of the ride was one of the two really big climbs of the day. No time to warm up just straight up towards heaven. The first 11 miles to Exeter was all up and down with a nice down into Exeter. The Garman satnav got us through the city without any problems in contrast to yesterday when the Garman remained silent for the trip through Plymouth and we got lost. After Exeter it was more up and down but nothing to hard. We had lunch in the village of Broadhembury (don’t you just love the place names here) which has the most thatched cottages in a single village in the whole of England – no pictures as the camera battery is flat and my phone is playing up. True to form the second major climb of the day started outside the pub where we had lunch (chilli and rice) so once again no warm up.
It had rained on and off, more off than on all morning but the sky looked much better after lunch. After the second big climb it was up and down along a high ridge for about 10 miles with great views (no pictures) then a wonderful down hill to the Somerset levels. The last 10 miles were across the levels which was a great relief after the 3 days of hills.
Kirsteen and Janet were outside my hotel with a banner and some cheering as I got to Street. It was very good to see them both and we had a good meal out this evening.
Todays stats:-
70 miles
1,195 meters climbed
6 hours 8 minutes of riding
average speed 11.95 mph
Total so far:-
197 miles
4,717 meters
18 hours 0 minutes of riding.
Looking forward to riding over the Severn bridge tomorrow.
Go on Mr Fish!! I am loving this. What an amazing trip. Of course it rained in Dartmoor it’s a military training area, it’s always raining. Avoid them at all costs!