AVP Remembrance Ride 1914 - 2014

How quick the year has past. This time last year the weather was equally beautiful as Andy and I headed out on our club's  annual AVP Remembrance ride to Rousden. Today, Andy otherwise indisposed, I met up with fellow cyclist, Kelly for a similar quick 10 mile circuit out to Beer before joining the rest of the Pedallers for the main club ride.

With the weather so clear and sunny and the roads dried out from the previous weekend's quagmire, I could not resit taking the new Specialised Tarmac out for a spin before resting it up for the winter.

The Tarmac on Seaton seafront

In all, there were around 10 pedallers who finally headed out of Seaton and up to Rousden for the Remembrance service where we were again so warmly welcomed by the locals.

Team photo

Following the service, coffee and biscuits, Kelly, Richard and I decided to cycle on to Lyme Regis to check out their new and impressive beach promenade before then climbing (there's no other way out once you've cycled into Lyme) back to Seaton for a final coffee at the Broom Wagon.

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Wheel Upgrade

87 Days until the Prudential RideLondon - Surrey.

Another good 10+ mile ride out to Beer Quarry Caves this morning, on yet another beautifully sunny start to the day. This takes my weekly distance total up to just over 31 miles and sitting mid table - of 3 - in the AVP stats.

No ride out tomorrow morning as I have the club run in the evening and I want to ensure I'm fresh for any sprints with Andy!

New Mavic wheels and Schwalbe tyres

This evening I completed my wheel upgrade with a pair of Mavic wheels and Schwalbe Ultremo ZX road tyres. I think they set off the bike's black and white look really well, but more importantly the freewheel is quiet and the ride smooth and quick .. or so I'm hoping :)

RideLondon Solo Training

88 days until the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 and the week has kicked off well with a couple of beautiful early morning training rides. I'm focussing on building my long hill stamina by climbing my local Seaton Down Hill. It is funny how, looking back through my blog and Strava results, it took me close to 20 minutes to make it to the top the first time I attempted it and now I'm driving for a sub 5 minute climb!

Down on Beer Beach - I love this shot - notice the Team Diabetes UK colours?

While I'm in training for my August charity ride, training which includes the Dartmoor Classic sportive next month, there is no shortage of pro events to inspire me. We've had the first Friends Life Women's Tour, with all 5 days excellently screened by ITV4 - a fantastic event it was too, those ladies have so much stamina! Then there is the Italian Giro, three weeks of cycling which kicked off at the weekend and the Amgen Tour of California running at the same time, both of which I'm flicking between, watching via the EuroSport app on my iPad. So I'm never too far from a cycling fix!

Selfie - loving these sunny early morning rides

All has not been plain sailing these past few days though. Over the weekend I heard that worrying tick from the freewheel which brought me to a flying stop a few weeks back when it seized. The BikeShed were good in replacing it under warrantee but for it to be seemingly happing so soon again was not comforting when I'm taking on rides that put me 20 miles or so from home. That's a long walk in cycling shoes! They offered to have another go at repairing it but said it was probably the Californian styled seals which don't need to be so resilient to water exposure. I decided instead on purchasing an uprated European replacement set at cost and my early experience of the rear one has been very positive. I am just now waiting to fit new tyres and the matching front wheel and I'll be flying .. and feeling much more at ease that we will both survive the miles. Pictures and details to follow once I've completed the full upgrade.

Last Ride Before The Easter Rain

The day before Easter Sunday and the last before the unseasonably clear sky darkens again with rain filled clouds, I head out at 06:30 am into the cool spring sunshine.

I had it in mind to take in a few hills this morning, with the Dartmoor Classic just two months away, I needed the training. So, my plan was to head out over to Sidmouth and find a similar route to that I took yesterday, returning back through Colyton via Offwell. My only challenge was that I needed to do this in less than 2 hours as we had a day out planned.

To satisfy my need for a good climb, I decided to take on the Beer and Branscombe hills. this was not necessarily my best idea with the time I had available as hills considerably slow me down! I reached Sidmouth beach after an hour, my slowest 10 miles in a long time ... this was not good considering that I was cycling against the clock.

Sidmouth

With time against me, I still thought I could recover sufficient minutes by taking the Sidbury road out of Sidmouth and then crossing over to Farway to complete my intended route back through Offwell. I had not, however, paid sufficient attention to the map nor the contours around Roncombe Hill. The turning off the A375 looked level. I could see where the road should have followed the valley, carved out by the meandering Roncombe River, now just a stream, but those who had marked out the original track had chosen not to follow this logic. After being lulled into a false sense of security, the road started to climb and then climbed some more. Ahead, I could hear the sound of baying hounds, it was not a good feeling. Matters got even worse when rounding a steep hairpin near the top, I was greeted by a Road Closed sign. Was, after the climb of my life, I now having to u-turn and find another way out of Sidmouth? I decided, having come this far, I'd carry my bike over and around the obstacle .. thank goodness, back in August last year, I went for the lighter carbon frame! The cause of the road closure, was that a section had collapsed into the valley during the winter floods .. vindicating my original assumption that this is where it originally should have been built! The noise of the baying hounds was from the kennels that I found at the summit and my arrival did not quieten them any. The benefit of a good climb, however, is the great view you get from the top, and this one was equally spectacular.

The benefit of a good climb is the great view you get from the top!

I was now running dangerously late with only 15 minutes to complete the 15 miles of my intended return journey. This was not going to happen. My only option was to switch to the more direct, main roads and pray for a tailwind. While the wind's help was not forthcoming, the more favourable  gradient and smooth roads assisted in getting me home just 5 minutes later than planned, my new PB on the decent of Seaton Down Hill being testament to the speed I was travelling over these last 7 miles!

While I'd like to have another go at my originally intended circuit, I think I'll look for another route across to Farway; I'd be happy not to do Roncombe Hill again.

This concluded a really good week on the bike; completing my 2nd best distance of the year and registering 3rd place on the AVP weekly leader board, something I've not done for a very long time. With it being Easter Sunday tomorrow, the way is now clear for a guilt free day, grazing on chocolate Eater eggs ;)

AVP April Sunday Morning Ride

Every month the AVP has a gentle ride out for coffee and cake at a local feeding post, a key event in my diary.

I decided on an early depart to make the most of the beautiful spring morning and rode up Seaton Down Hill and out to Beer.

After checking in at the beach, I headed back to Seaton to meet up with 17 other riders at the TIC for the April ride.

We followed all the back lanes out through Colyton to Dalwood and stopped for coffee and cake at the Millers Farm Shop on Gammons Hill near Axminster.

Day 363 - Holding Vigil with a Branoc

The weather cleared sufficiently again last night for just 4 AVP riders, Jolly, Richard, Rex and myself, to venture out onto the lanes under a very cool star lit sky.

Our route took us out past Blackberry Camp, via Southleigh, over some very broken and bumpy tracks to Shute Barton and home through Kilmington and Musbury. Just as hills are given categories for severity, we agreed on a Cat 4 for the road conditions as on some sections there was little of the original road surface either remaining or visible. This winter has been a tough one for our roads. Luckily our ride was incident free and a 22 mile ride with 1900 ft of climbing was completed in good time

The riders: Rex, Richard and Jolly (and me behind the camera)

Meanwhile 10 mountain bikers had been out to Branscombe Brewery and had an 'interesting' time with 3 punctures and a broken spoke! With none of the regular apres-cycle beer and chips road team out tonight, I held vigil with my Branoc at the King's Arms until Buster and his off roaders arrived to fill the bar. It was then a later one for me, well being on holiday, I only needed to be up for the 10:00 Friday Flyers ride!

Day 336 - Joining the Kask club

In spite of the seemingly non cycling weather we've had recently, the 232 miles covered so far in 2014 have been far better than expected for this 'veteran' pedaller.

Today, I continued in this trend completing another 40 miler with my AVP pals, Andy, Ed, Rex and Richard. The plan was to do a repeat of the proven route Andy, Ed and I cycled two weeks ago. We met at 08:30 at the Seaton TIC and headed out up Castle Hill towards Beer and on to Sidmouth sea front for the obligatory photo shoot. With the seasonal high tide and strong winds, the storm gates were closed, and rightly so, as the waves were spectacularly crashing over the sea wall.

Richard, Andy, Jonathan & Ed

Take 5 on Sidmouth sea front

On this ride I was proud to be wearing a new light weight Kask helmet with, of course, the colours Union flag emblazoned across the top. It was a close run decision between this and an the Specialized S-works model, but the red, white and blue motif won my heart. A pose for a shot with Rex, also a Kask owner, was required .. 'Jonathan joins the Kask klub' !

Jonathan joins the Kask klub

From Sidmouth we climbed via Tipton St John through Ottery St Mary and on to our tea and cake stop in Honiton. From Honiton we took Northcote Hill to the junction with the Stockland straight where, I had visualised the closing 10 miles, a gentle down hill return to Seaton. Rex, however, suggested an alternative route, through Stockland, Kilmington and Musbury. No there were no more hills, he said, just a few lumpy bits. I see a need to define a hill v a lump .. as my legs were not prepared for the climbing which followed, particularly not after my all time best ride up Northcote, on which I had secured PRs for 5 of the 6 Strava segments for this climb!

Ride profile

Although exhausting, it is often good to be challenged. Richard and Rex noticeably drove up the pace, and while I wished I had the engine to keep up with the pace set, I have to constantly remind myself of what I was doing only a year ago, when I would never in my wildest dreams have considered it even possible to cycle 40 miles in a morning! I've just got to keep at it, drive through the pain and hopefully this training will see me right for the Dartmoor Classic sportif I have in June, a 100 mile ride which after today's experience, is seeming ever more daunting! 

In all, I achieved 15 Strava segment PRs and for the second time in as many weeks, broke my previous record for miles ridden in 1 hour (15.94 miles). It is amazing what one can do when pushed!

Day 333 - Bit of a Drag

Thursday and another ride out with the AVP. I can't believe how much I am enjoying this night riding but can't deny that I am really looking forward to the return of summer, this period of dark and dampness is getting to be a bit of a drag.

Meeting up at the usual time, usual place - 6:30 at the Kings Arms - it was great to see the usual suspects gathering for tonights ride. After last week, getting dropped on my Crosstrail during the final run in from Musbury, I was pleased to see the return of Barry, fellow night time hybrid rider, who would be able to join me at the back of the peloton. We have a challenging time out there mixing it with the road bikes but it's all good training! Tonight was also going to be Kilian's last AVP ride as he returns home to Germany at the weekend. Kilian's first ride with us was back in September when he joined us at the last minute as a guest on our 100 miler, riding of all things a mountain bike! He'd have no trouble on a hybrid, but that's what 30+ years does for you .. my excuse anyway!

 

Jolly struck the route which would take the 12 of us out via Farway to Offwell and back through Colyton. It was a a good circuit, relatively free of traffic, bar the meeting of a tanker down one narrow lane requiring all to take to a water filled tractor furrow. The 1,500 feet of climb was challenging but not excessive and the down hill runs were, in reward, fast and thrilling. We are noticing the temperature falling a little more now, as I heard mention of 'ice cream sandwich headaches' on more than one occasion. So extra warm headgear and gloves are now definitely de rigueur for the winter night rider.

The run out tonight was my quickest yet on the hybrid, with a new one hour and 20km record achieved and a PR on the 1 mile 'Bit of a Drag' Strava segment, albeit almost a minute off the pace of the road bikes, so a revisit on the Roubaix will be required.

Again, a dry and incident free ride brought us home to the Kings Arms ahead of the Mountain bikers and in good time for some quality après-cycing chat, beer and chips. Another perfect 20 mile night ride out with the AVP!

Day 322 - Morning Ride with Wilco and Woody

With the weather surprisingly clear, bright and frosty, my Sunday morning started with an 08:30 meet at the TIC for what was going to be the longest ride so far of the new year.

This was the first time my AVP buddies, Andy (Wilco) and Ed (Woody), and I had been out on a weekend ride since the end of November and it was good to be back on the road together. We decided on a route Wilco and I have done twice before, the first was a week before the AVP 100 in September (Day 187) and the last was my first ride using SPDs back in October (Day 223). This route takes us along the coast to Sidmouth, inland through Ottery Saint Mary to Honiton for coffee and cake, and returns via Stockland, Shute and Colyton. 40 miles of mixed terrain and 3,000 ft of climbing.

Our first stop was Sidmouth where the obligatory photos had to be taken.

From the seafront, we headed up hill out of Sidmouth and to our scheduled cafe stop at the Boston Tea Party in Honiton. 

Woody and Wilco on Sidmouth seafront 

My Specialized Roubaix 

Woody and Wilco @ our coffee and cake stop in Honiton

Honiton sits deep in the Otter valley and thus it is no surprise that any route out involves a climb. Northcote and Stockland Hills are two painful 11% ascents but are relatively quiet and so when needed the zigzagging climb approach can be used. While still not a good climber, I was pleased, on this occasion, not to have to rely on this method to get to the top - I like to think this is a measure of my gradual improvement in climbing fitness over these past few months.

The ride profile

This was a tough ride; at first I thought it was just because I was still recovering from the Christmas break, but on checking my Strava stats, I found that I'd 40 new Strava segment records and a new one hour distance PB (15.44 miles) which considering the hills, I felt was very impressive. No wonder I ached so in places I never knew I had!

Day 319 - NYR #20 Ride in the Rain

Which ever way you looked at it, which ever station you chose to tune in to, the weather was not looking promising for a dry Thursday night ride. However, having taken Cycling Weekly’s “40 Top Tips to make this year my best ever” as my New Year’s resolution, I felt there was no better time to cross #20, "Ride in the Rain", off the list!

Arriving at the Kings Arms to find the meeting area devoid of Pedallers, led me to believe this would be a solo effort and my keenness for a ride in the rain was not one that was shared by others. Then, thankfully, Rex arrived to double our number, as too did a loan mountain biker. I had visions of a mixed AVP ride until a few other off-roaders appeared and we were again just two.

In the absence of our seasoned route planners, Rex and I decided to head off in the direction of Sidmouth and we’d see how things went. As we made our way out of Seaton along Beer Road, Rex sighted a single beam of light closing in on our tail; it was Airfix! and now we were three. We took the Stovar Long Lane route to the A3052 and then turned in towards Honiton and Farway with a plan of riding out to the golf club then doing a loop back to Colyton.

So far, the promised rain had held off and our way was illuminated not just by our lights but also by a bright moon which accompanied us throughout the rest of the ride. Once we’d turned off the main roads onto Northleigh Hill, the effect of recent persistent rain was very evident. Curb side puddles joined in the middle creating lakes across the road and I was only too glad to be wearing overshoes. Feeling that we were making good progress and had time on our hands, we turned off the road to Colyford and headed towards Widworthy, down the most pitted road I’ve seen in some time, possibly the worst in Devon! I even dropped and ran over my water bottle at one stage, the jarring from the potholes was so severe. At the bottom of the hill is the ford which crosses Offwell Brook. Normally a light trickle, if that, the Brook tonight was a raging torrent, luckily Rex spotted a narrow walkway - which like mountain goats we crossed - else we would have had the uncomfortable climb back out the way we came.

The ride back to Colyton from there was a gentle down hill roll. The rain did start to fall as we descended but we only had a few more miles to do. As home was the north side of Seaton for the majority, we decided on the White Heart for apres ride beer and chips, and a pat on the back for completing an unexpectedly good 20 mile ride.

Day 315 - AVP Sunday Morning Social Ride

20+ AVP Riders met at the TIC this morning for a 10 mile gentle ride out to Colyton, a heart pounding climb up Colyton Hill - Bar Bunny leading a breakaway from the peloton at this point - and a speedy drop down past Beer Quarry Caves, to finally all regroup at Handbag's for mulled wine and a small feast.

Thank you Handbag for leading us out and for laying on such a spread! If this is what Sunday rides are all about, I'll be back for more ;)

Day 305 - First Ride of 2014

My first day back in the office and after yesterday's appalling weather, why should I be so surprised to see the sun come out!  Not to be side tracked by work on such a beautiful day, I took the opportunity for a ride out on the Roubaix before heading to the office.

With the Dartmoor Classic just six months away and my hill climbing stamina so lacking, I was driven to hit the hills I dread. The first was Stepps Lane, a 3 mile climb out of Axmouth to Rousden which at its steepest has a gradient of around 14%. I thought I'd made one of my best times on this climb, however, on analysing my stats, it was actually one of my slowest! My best time was done in September when I was accompanied on one of the AVP evening rides. Just shows what a difference it makes being in a group.  

From the top, I would have loved to have turned right towards Lyme Regis but the call of work was too strong, such that I turned left towards Colyford and the thrill of a 40mph decent down Boshill.

Three of my most challenging climbs

I would then normally have turned off into Colyton via Cowhayne Lane, however, the persistent and heavy rain of New Year's Day had submerged it beneath a couple of feet of water. I had to take the main road to get to my next climb.

Flooded Cowhayne Lane

The Old Sidmouth Road, out of Colyton, is a 2 mile climb with a gradient of around 11%. The steepest mile of which is the Strava segment called the Social Club Climb. In contrast to my Stepps climb, I surprisingly achieved a new PB. 

With the thought of still having to get to work on my mind, I did not continue on to Sidmouth but instead crossed over the main road and dropped down into Beer to tackle my last steep climb. This is the short and painful, 16% gradient, Mare Lane Climb up to Pecorama and one that is near impossible not to complete without getting out of the saddle. 

Beer

From the summit I then took a short ride down to the beach. It was hard to look out over the sea as the sun was so low and bright that its reflection was blinding. The view looking back towards the village centre, however, was idilic and the pub beside me so inviting. Work, however, was calling and it was time to return. 

So, just shy of 17 miles covered and 1,600 feet climbed was not bad for my first morning ride of the year. I now plan to take every opportunity the occasional break in the winter weather will afford me, as I do so need to get the training hours in .. This New Year's Resolution - as I have now declared it to be - is going to test my creative planning skills to the limit .. watch this space.

Day 294 - Christmas Lights

My cycling this month has slowed to a crawl and this is before I take on too many calories through over indulgence and feasting that is sure to consume me over the festive season. 21 days into the month and I've been out just 4 times and have covered short of 50 miles, that's only 25% of my average monthly activity. The reason .. shorter days, dark mornings, persistent rain and a job which keeps me in the office when it's dry and light! On Tuesday this week, I was so pleased to finally see the sun that I missed lunch to get out on the Crosstrail for a blast up some hills. I climbed Seaton Down Hill to the tower, dropped down into Colyford, and back up Colyton Hill past Colyton Grammar School and onto Old Sidmouth Road to circle round to Beer before returning to Seaton. The 1100 ft of climbing made me feel a little better anyway.



During Wednesday and Thursday the rain returned. The plan on Thursday was to join the Axe Valley Pedallers for a Christmas Lights ride, a tour of Seaton and Beer to view the best they have to offer in Christmas light displays! I was determined to go, rain or no rain. As luck would have it, the sky miraculously cleared as the sun set and perhaps 10 hardy riders, I did not think to count, met up under a starry night for the final AVP Thursday ride. We were led out by Ketchup and accompanied by a number of our members I'd not seen since summer; I guess there are certain occasions not to be missed. It was a slow ride and I'd not dressed sufficiently well for a ride requiring so little exertion. It is amazing how much heat one generates when exercising and how little clothing is then needed. As we moved out of Seaton into the lanes en route to Beer, I had to hit the climbs hard to raise my core temperature and get some warm blood flowing into my now frozen fingers and toes.

AVP Christmas Lights Ride

The lights, meanwhile, were quite spectacular. It is amazing the amount of work people go to to dress their houses with vivid illuminations, coloured lights, cascading icicles, jolly snowmen and father Christmases. Perhaps the best lights were to be found in Park Road and Clapp's Lane in Beer. It was as if Vegas had come to Devon! After a much needed warm up stop at Quiff & Bar Bunny's, where mulled Cider and home made mice pies were eagerly consumed, we cycled on to close the ride at the Dolphin. I think the locals were a little put out by the arrival of 10-20 lycra clad cyclists, having by then been joined by the muddy off roaders, as it was not long before we had the place to ourselves. It made a change to visit another venue for our apres cycling refreshments, but I did miss the warm welcome of our Seaton and Colyford pubs and the overflowing bowls of complementary cheesy chips !



I am hoping to get another ride or two in before the year closes and although I've not yet completed a full year in the saddle yet, I will probably return in the next week to post a calendar year end report.

In the meantime, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and leave you with a fun and festive Christmas video from the Team GB Cycling team :)

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 234 - Ships in the Night

Thoughts of 'ships in the night' crossed my mind as Andy and I passed the Pedallers out on the Thursday evening ride tonight; they climbing up past Beer quarry as we descended. There seemed to be as many as last week, less 2 of course! Their lights illuminating the wooded lane giving us, at first, the impression of a convoy of cars ascending the hill towards us.

Why, you may ask, were we heading in the other direction? Well, a quicker ride, ahead of the forecasted rain, and a desire to get a good ride out on the Roubaix was my excuse. Having missed Clive's Sunday ride last week and the same prospect being on the cards for this weekend, due to the wet season we've sadly entered, has meant that the Roubaix has just not had a look in recently. 

Anyway, we headed over to Colyton and up Old Sidmouth Road towards Beer. Having made such easy work of this long climb, we felt Peco hill in Beer should be included in our route. Big mistake! Taking off at speed in too high a gear and nearing the brow, high out of the saddle, I hit the power wall and forward motion as good as stopped. Being secured to my pedals the only option to avoid falling was a hasty unclip and dismount. Having made this assent in one before, it was a great disappointment to be so unceremoniously dumped so close to my goal. After a short rest and rehydrate, I resumed and completed the climb. I feel a revisit will be on the cards again soon!

Back in Seaton, having a little more gas in the tank, well Andy anyway, we completed a loop out to Colyford and back before then calling it a night. In all, a 15-20 mile ride (I neglected to power up the Garmin until well into the ride) in 90 minutes was good enough but no apres beer and chips tonight. Will be back out with the Pedallers on the Crosstrail next week, weather permitting .. and looking forward to hearing how the ride went this evening, did they all manage to avoid the monsoon?

Stats: 12.9 mi, 1hr 01m, Avg 12.5 mph, Max 28.8 mph, 768 kcal

0 - 100 in 6 Months - Part 2

At 06:15, fifteen riders headed out from Seaton TIC up Castle Hill and towards Beer. It is amazing how the sun can rise so quickly and how in just a few minutes darkness is replaced by a beautiful orange glow. The sun rise, as we climbed up out of Beer along Stovar Long Lane, was spectacular.

Our first challenging hill came after 18 miles; a 5 mile, 890 ft climb from Feniton, up through Penscombe Wood to Hembury Fort at the summit. After a much needed breather, we headed on and down through Blackborough to our first 25 mile cafe stop at Culmstock. The time was 09:00.

Handbag's cycle in AVP colours

The owners of the little Strand Cafe were kind enough to open early this Sunday morning and applied us with tea, coffee and cake in portions that many riders were able to keep themselves fuelled on for most of the morning. Having packed sufficient energy bars and a banana I was in need of no further fuel, although the strong black coffee was most welcomed.

Refuelled after our first cafe stop

Service was swift and we were back on the road before our legs totally cooled down and just as locals started arriving; perfect timing as we had previously taken up every table and square space available.

Continuing north, we crossed the M5 and rode following the course of the Grand Western Canal. This was a very picturesque and quiet route with next to no traffic. Although we did abruptly come upon a lady astride a horse, stopped side on in the road on a blind shaded corner which required me to slide, throwing my back wheel out, in order to bring myself to a halt before colliding with both the horse, Andy and Clive centimetres ahead of me! Much to the lady's distress, Clive called out to the remaining 12 yet to make the bend and was aghast to hear that there were still this number to descend on her! My new tyres now had a flat spot. I also think I had picked up a few stone shards as a further 5 miles down the road I became the first of our number to puncture.

Clive shows off his new gizmo while I attempt to store away the punctured inner tube 

Luckily,  I was carrying my spare inner tubes and was surrounded by seasoned cyclists who knew the drill as well as any F1 pit crew. Clive also got to use his new CO2 inflating gizmo to bring my tyre pressure up to 100 psi in a matter of seconds; much better than any hand pump would ever achieve in either time or firmness. Another purchase to consider!

A leisurely amble through Bampton

After the impromptu pitstop we had a leisurely amble through Bampton and remained on the quiet and free running National Cycle Route #3, heading further north via Morebath and Brushforth towards the Exmoor National Park, our intended halfway lunch stop.

While rain had been threatening as the morning had progressed, we were feeling luck was on our side as it always seemed to be falling out on the horizon and not on us. We reached our 50 mile marker at around midday, as we entered the National Park and the outskirts of Dulverton. This was where we had an extended stop for lunch. Some had loaded cake and sandwiches onto the support car, others went to a local cafe for what looked to me to be a full sunday dinner and I munched on another energy bar and shared cake.

It was during our lunch stop that the inevitable happened, the heavens opened!

More to follow in part 3 ....