Day 272 - 100 km Seaton to Topsham

Following last Sunday's ride, a plan was hatched to do a long social ride out to Exeter and back, some 55 miles or so, on the following Saturday. Weather watching during the week made this plan seem even better, as it was being forecast to be the only day in the upcoming week with wall to wall sun.

Andy, Ed, Jon and I met up at the Seaton TIC and at 10:00 am, a little later than planned, we headed out towards Exeter. The plan was to take in the sights of Newton Pop, Lympstone and Topsham, a quick stop for lunch and then return to Seaton via Ottery for around 4:00 isn, before sunset.

We took the main road out through Sidford and after descending Four Elms Hill turned south before entering Netwon Poppleford, to follow the River Otter towards Otterton and our first coffee stop at the mill. The plan was then to make our way over to Exeter across the common, however, keeping things fluid we decided instead on the coastal cycle path, around the north of Budleigh, into Exmouth and along the estuary to Topsham. It is a really impressive length of traffic free paths which was very much welcomed after our initial and very busy main road section.

It seemed like a summers day by the sea as we rode through Exmouth. The Lifeboat was getting a clean and tourists were promenading under the clear blue sky. It was quite idilic but we were by now behind plan and getting hungry. We needed to press on to our planned next stop, Topsham.

On route to Topsham, we cycled through Lympstone, and who should we bump into but Alistair Cope, one of the founding members of the AVP. Alastair was wheeling a new Penny Farthing down the street which I gather he may ride in next Saturday's Velo Vintage 4th Occasion and Ride which he was also out promoting.

Alistair Cope with his new Penny Farthing

From Lympstone we followed Exe Trail cycle path through Exton to Topsham via the longest continuous piece of decking I've ever seen! Once in Topsham, it was a tossup between eating inside at the cyclists favourite, Route 2 cafe, or outside at the Lighter Inn on the quay. With the sun shining and a real atmosphere of alfresco dining, despite to cost, the Lighter won the day.

Alfresco dining at the Lighter

By the time the pints were downed and plates cleared it was gone 2:00 pm and we were going to have hit the pedals hard to be back in Seaton before the sun set and with Jon riding with no lights the pressure was on! 

Our return journey took us north, to the M5 with some courageous and rapid cycling across roundabouts and through busy junctions. Clear of the major routes we headed west through Clyst Honiton, Aylesbere, West Hill and Ottery St Mary where we even had to navigate a path around a group of morris dancers, not sure what was going on there.

Ed over the M5

The circuit had so far had its fair share of hills but nothing like what was to follow our exit out of Ottery. Chineway Hill is something else; a 3 mile, 20% climb which at the summit left me reaching for the jelly babies and draining my water bottle before I felt ready to continue!

Chineway Hill climb

We now had 10 miles remaining, the majority of which was down hill but the light was fading fast, as too was Ed's touring bike. Having suffered a catastrophic series of mechanical failures on Thursday night while riding his road bike, Ed had today switched to the tourer. His luck, however, was not with him this week, as he proceeded to lose a pedal as we crossed the common. Jon assisted in re-attaching it and luckily it remained in place long enough to see us all safely back to Seaton. The sun, however, was by then as good as set but we did, to Jon's frustration, stop to capture a picture of it before it totally slipped behind the horizon .. quite a stunning view.

Sun setting at the end of our ride

In all we completed just short of 60 miles / 100 km .. a terrific workout and great fun, even if we did not quite make it to Exeter.

Jonathan rode AVP Morning Ride

Saturday, November 30, 2013 in Seaton, England, United Kingdom
• Distance
   59.7 mi
 
• Time
   4:37:40
 
• Elevation
   3,753ft

Day 270 - A Night of 4 Punctures

It was great to be back on the road with the AVP for our regular Thursday Evening ride after a 2 week break. 10 of us rode out at 6:45 pm into what are now very dark evenings.

We headed out to Axminster and up the Combe Road climb. Through Rousden, Combyne, Musbury and Wyke we made excellent time with very few stops. It was looking like we'd be back early at the Kings Arms for once. Then, while making a quick dash along the A35 before turning onto Trinity Hill, disaster struck as both Ed and Jolly suffered punctures, Ed one in each tyre! After a frenzied 20 minute activity of replacing inner tubes under combined lighting of streetlamp and high lumin spots, we were back rolling again. Ed taking it very easy as his tyres were quite badly split.

Then, just as we thought we may actually still make the usual time for the meet with mountain pedallers at the Kings Arms, Andy called out that he now also had a flat! Luckily it was a slow puncture which in then end just needed a blast of air to make it back.

Although late, we decided we would stop for a quick apres ride beer and chips, as we needed discuss our plan for a long Saturday ride which we'd though up last Sunday after the successful social ride out to Bridport. More on what we decided later.

Day 266 - The Three Musketeers

Having just returned from a wonderful week away without the bike, I was very keen this weekend to get out on a ride. Saturday afternoon, I managed a 10 mile solo re-run of the Ships in the Night ride that I did with Andy back in October. I had promised the Peco hill a revisit and was so pleased to complete it in one go after my dismal performance last time. Overall, it was a good circuit and I felt well prepared for Sunday's AVP 40 miler.

Sunday, 08:00 am, I rode out to meet up with Clive, Hovis, Kevin, Tim, Ed and Andy; far more than we normally have on this ride. Clive commented that it was turning into a proper club run - it has previously been Clive's regular ride out with whom ever happens to be around and can keep up. Today, I regret, the good feeling that I had the previous day was crushed as we headed out of Seaton up Boshill. There was no way my legs were going to propel me forward with the same velocity as the other guys and it was not long before they had disappeared over the brow of the hill and I was left thinking it was time to go home. For some reason, I just did not have the bhp in this ageing engine of mine and need to keep working on these hills ahead of next year's sportifs!

The Three Musketeers

Once over the brow, I teamed up with Andy and Ed and, like the good pals that they are, they stuck with me as we rode on towards Lyme Regis. Somehow, and thinking back I can't work out how, but we Three Musketeers lost sight of the four ahead, such that when we came to the down hill, high speed junction with Pound Road, it was not clear which way they had gone. We continued on and regrouped at the sea front but the Famous Four were no where to be seen. Climbing back up the hill to seek them out was not an option as, based on past performance, we knew they would be long gone!

  

So, the question was, what to do and more importantly where to go next. We decided, having come this far, we'd continue out of Lyme Regis, on a gentle tour: through Charmouth and on to Whitchurch Canonicorum and a circular route following the NCR2 to Bridport for coffee and festive mince pies.

After 30 minute warming up, headed on our return journey back along the NCR2 through Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine, across the A35 to Rousden and then at speed back down Boshill (a much more pleasurable approach) and into Seaton.

After a painful start and in spite of the lack forecasted sun, the freezing wins, a couple of tumbles (I was having a bad day),  this actually turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and social rides I've had in ages. It reminded me of the Taunton Stop Line ride I did with Mike back in August when we just set out to explore and have a good ride. I can see the Three Musketeers may have hit on a new weekend ride format, so watch this space!

Day 260 - Team GB

You will probably be aware that I'm a bit of a Team GB cycling fan and a one with a little more money than sense.. or so I'm told! This means - you'll also have seen - that I enjoy wearing the team colours, see Tour of Britain and No Legs. Since purchasing my long sleeved jersey back in September, I've been on the lookout for a short sleeved version but most suppliers are either reporting this to be discontinued or are charging exorbitant marked up prices.

So when I spotted on eBay, not only the genuine article but one marked up with "This is not a reproduction item. This jersey was made for british cycling and issued to a British cycling team member", I had to place a bid. Yes, I won it, just confirming my 'more money than sense' comment.

I've since found out that this was issued to Luke Rowe to ride in the fated world road race in Florence this year. I now think this will fit better in a frame hung on my wall rather on me!

Day 258 - A Different View

I am away from Devon this week, taking some much needed R&R in Norfolk. Unfortunately, until my new Yeti arrives in April next year, there is no space on my travels for my bike. Unexpectedly, however, I was able to borrow a heavy old mountain bike for an hour's circuit of one of Norwich's leafy suburbs.

Before heading out, there was first a need to repair a persistent puncture to the rear and replace the tyre which was lacking any central tread pattern. Norwich has a large number of cycle shops but it was John Borwell Cycles that won the business and what an impressive small and exclusive establishment John has. Hung on the back wall was a Pinarello race frame in the colours of the Sky Cycling Team for the princely sum of £4,500! Out the back, to the left side of the counter, was a workshop and on the other, an Aladdin's cave of quality accessories and clothing. If I were a local, I feel I would have been a regular. Tube and tyre purchased the fitting took just a few minutes .. practice is making perfect!

So, out and along the leafy lanes I cycled. This gave me a different view of the country by bike and, despite the lack of hills, a good workout too as I could neither change up to the larger ring nor build up much speed because of the chunky off road tyres. The weather was cold and damp but the autumn colours and the big Norfolk sky made for a delightful ride. This is definitely a popular part of the country for cyclists as I passed quite a few out for a late morning constitutional. I'm looking forward to exploring more of our beautiful country next year, once I've a means of taking my bike(s) on the road.

Day 252 - AVP Remembrance Ride

This morning was beautifully sunny and dry, perfect weather for our Sunday ride out to Rousdon to attend the Remembrance service, something which has become a regular and poignant annual event in the AVP's cycling calendar. 

Before meeting up with the main group at 10:00, Andy and I decided on a quick 10 mile warmup circuit of Beer and Seaton. After climbing Quarry Lane and turning towards Stafford Cross, we stopped briefly on Bovey Lane to look in on Bovey House, a property so off he beaten track that I never knew it existed.  The site of this house has an amazing history dating back to Saxon, Roman and medieval times, the present house having been built during the Elizabethan period, in1592.

Jonathan .. new AVP jersey glowing in the early morning sun

Andy .. ready for the off

We then headed up to the main road and dropped down swiftly into Colyford before returning to Seaton in good time to meet up with the rest of group. Meanwhile, Ed and Cockle had impressively cycled over from Honiton,  so we were not the only ones putting in a few early miles!

In all, 13 AVP cyclists headed out to Rousdon via Axmouth and the regular climb up Green Lane on a plethora of machinery: full carbon and aluminium racers, Bobble on his 'shopper', Ed with obligatory saddle bag of goodies, Kilian on his mountain bike and Barbunny on a new electric assisted cycle .. a sight for sore eyes!

Pausing before the Green Lane ascent 

Arriving at the Rousdon memorial, we were warmly greeted by the very friendly locals who were really appreciative of us joining them for their very intimate service. Many remembered those who had attended the year before and it was quite humbling the way that we were so openly invited to join them for coffee and biscuits after the service.

Remembrance service at Rousdon

After gathering for a team picture, we each headed off on our different routes home. The Honiton team and others, completed a near 50 mile ride by returning through Hawk Church, Membury & Stockland, while Andy and I completed our 20+ mile ride by taking Boshill in an exhilarating flat out decent.

The AVP Remembrance Team - I'm behind the camera!

I have a feeling we'll be back again next year.

Day 249 - A Night of Hills

Another evening ride with the AVP tonight saw 14 hardy souls head out of Seaton in the direction of Lyme Regis .. oh yes, this was going to be a night of hills!

Taking Chapter Street out of Axmouth we took the relatively gentle climb up to Dowlands, avoiding on this occasion Stepps Hill, a notoriously steep climb which Andy and I had taken when previously out this way and one which I was in no rush to repeat this early in the ride. Maybe we'll return and use it in our training for next year's Dartmoor Classic but that's a little way off yet.

Taking a breather - glad we'd not taken the Stepps

From Dowlands we proceeded to Rousdon and into Lyme along a side route I'd never taken before. This was Roman Road, a steep decent and apparently a favourite rat run for many before the town planners put a stop to this with strategically placed giant concrete blocks, similar to dragon teeth installed generations before to halt invading tanks. While these provided the decent with challenging chicanes, it was a hidden curb which halted my forward momentum, forcing me to make an unceremonious and hasty exit from the saddle! Luckily, while Handbag was on hand with his first aid kit, this was this week not required. All that was hurt was my pride and a minor battle scar for the bike.

Chris stikes a pose!

We climbed out of Lyme Regis up the 3052 and unconventionally crossed the A35 roundabout for a pleasant roll down through Charmouth and on to Wooton Fitzpaine. It was from here that we started to climb again, ending with a thigh busting 12% assent along the Fitzpaine to Crewkerne Road Strava Section .. which don't tell Andy, but along which I somehow beat him by 20 seconds!

Handbag was on hand with his first aid kit

After a quick dogleg crossing of the A35 we were on the home run along Trinity Hill Road back to Rousdon, Axmouth and into Seaton for 9:30 pm. A late finish and no apres beer and chips for me, I think the hills got the better of us today but would love to do this again come summer, as I am sure in daylight the views would be spectacular!

Stats: 24.7 mi, 2hr 19m, Avg 10.6 mph, Max 30.3 mph, 1417 kcal

Day 243 - The Yeti Solution

Back in May, I pondered the question of how best to transport my bike  either when away on holiday or to a new area or a cycling event. With my car due for replacement next year, I've been doing a tour of the showrooms to see what the various manufacturers have to offer.

The main options appear to be roof or boot mounted. Vauxhall do an ingenious system whereby the numberplate extends to reveal a factory fitted bike rack. The issue I have with these methods of transportation is that both expose my valuable cycles to the elements and to the risk of theft and damage. The perfect solution to me would be to carry the cycles within the vehicle itself. Skoda, cycling's premier supporter, offer such a solution.

I am not one who needs a large car for every day use, indeed to me, 'small is beautiful' when it comes to cars, thus the large estate variants do not appeal; however, fitting a cycle within a small hatchback is never going to work, so a compromise will obviously be required. This may come from Skoda's small SUV, the Yeti ... what a great name too!

Skoda Yeti at Haytor, Dartmoor

Today, I took the Yeti, in white of course, on a test drive across Dartmoor, out to Haytor where, coincidentally, stage 6 of the Tour of Britain concluded in September. The variant provided, was the 2.0 litre diesel 4x4 170 Bhp. It manoeuvred surprisingly spritely for an SUV around the Devon lanes and for a 4x4 was very smooth and quiet along the quick A30. Over the 120 mile round trip it achieved a reasonable 43 mpg and while its looks may not turn may heads, as a practical and highly versatile vehicle with the perfect solution for my cycle transportation needs, it is certainly in the running. So watch this space .. a decision is required before the month is out.

Day 242 - Team Diabetes UK 2014

Oh my, I received the following email today .. it reads .. "It is with great pleasure that I am able to offer you a place on Team Diabetes UK for the 2014 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100!"

About 10 years ago my mother contracted type 1 diabetes following a very stressful period in her life. Knowing of no family history of diabetes and my mother being of very slight build, there seemed to be no rhyme or reason for her body to have chosen this time to stop producing sufficient insulin. With such mystery surrounding the cause of this illness and the work still obviously required to understand and find a less invasive and technical treatment, I applied to join the Team Diabetes UK on the RideLondon to both raise funds and awareness and help bring about the needed step change in research and discovery.

Me next year!

I am not a regular fund raiser, indeed far from it! This is the first sponsorship I will have sought since being a child, oh so many years ago, but I thought I would like the opportunity to cycle these 100 miles for a cause and do what I can for my mum and others in a similar position. May be this relatively small sum that I will be asked to raise will provide the few extra pounds that secure the breakthrough all sufferers are looking for. I will be asking you all to dig deep soon, so watch this space and then please, as the tag line goes. 'give generously' :)

This means that my miserable 9 miles cycling effort, so far this week, is going have to be seriously improved on going forward, rain or no rain .. and as I am reminded by the front page of this week's Cycling News which arrived through the door this morning, my "2014 starts now!"  Oh how true, and how did they know?!