Seaton Wetlands Cycle Path

Back in 2015 there was a new cycle path laid through the Seaton Wetlands to join Colyford to Seaton. This cycle path was all part of a major investment proposed in 2009 and finally approved in 2011 to make the Wetlands more accessible, with hides and raised walkways for visitors to enjoy this tranquil environment and to extend the Stop Line Way cycle route. The former has been a total success the latter, well, we've yet to see.

The cycle path is accessed from Seaton via the cemetery's shingle carpark and exits abruptly onto the Colyford road with no signage at either end. Just as only Hogwarts Students know how to access their platform at Kings Cross, only those in the know would ever be aware of the Season Wetlands Cycle Path, let alone how to access it!

It transpires that not everything is as straight forward as one thinks it should be. I understand there's been a bit of an issue with landowners and a misaligned council agendas .. much of the human race is naturally flawed to be narcissistic and sociopathic. It just has to be accepted these days that it takes years to conclude something which should take seconds to agree and put in place, though I'm not sure anyone actually benefits in the long term.

I had the opportunity to meet with our local town mayor a few weeks ago and put to him the issue of the lack of signage for the 'new' Wetlands cycle path. This led me on the trail to Devon County and East Devon District Councils. Oh don't we love our bureaucracy. Anyway, the upshot of all this is that some signage will be put up but they won't be official Cycle Path ones as the path is not actually finished ... !

The positive news, is that Martin Shaw, Independent East Devon Alliance County Councillor for Seaton & Colyton, informs me that the County Council is at last formally proceeding with the CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) for the Wetlands route, as seen marked in this map of the land to be acquired.

Also, Cllr Ian Hall (Axminster) has also apparently recently expressed an interest in the development of the rest of the Seaton-Axminster route; this Stop Line Way

I am informed by a fellow Pedaller, however, that this is similar to a position we were in back in 2016 so, I'll keep you posted.

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 200 - Tour of Britain

Today the Tour of Britain arrived in Sidmouth for the start of stage 6, 137km through the Devonshire countryside, from the south coast to the hills of Dartmoor; to finish on the granite peak of Haytor. Being just 10 miles up the road, it was a day I made sure I'd booked off work as soon as I learned of the schedule. The plan was to ride over with AVP club mate, Andy to catch the start and then race across to Exeter while the riders looped their way north. Andy, however, had damaged knee ligaments during our 100 miler last weekend, so was not back on his bike, the decision for me, therefore, was whether to ride or drive. I was itching to get back on my bike, so I kitted my self out in GB colours (for the occasion) and rode but decided to just do Sidmouth today, I find long distances are better done with company.

Supporting Team GB ...
who would have known they would be the winning colours!

Following the climb up Seaton Down Hill, I headed out on the A3052, the main road to Sidmouth which at 8am was as busy as I've ever known it. This road at rush hour on a Friday morning was not a pleasant place to be, as commuters and white vans challenged each other to see how close they could pass me without making contact! In spite of the traffic distractions, or may be because of them, I made better time than I expected, reaching Sidmouth town centre in only 40 minutes. One route change I made to that I rode a couple of weeks ago, was to take the signposted cycle route down to Salcombe Regis past the observatory and into Sidmouth via the ford. I'd been told that this hill was heavy on brakes but this was not all, it was full of potholes and, being heavily wooded, strewn with puncture friendly cuttings difficult to avoid. I will not be taking this route again and am surprised at Sustrans even designating this as suitable for cyclists.

Sidmouth streets, cleared of traffic and pedestrians for the Tour of Britain

Once I'd secured my Roubaix in the already busy cycle park, I walked to sea front where the race was to start and where the professional cyclists were starting to gather. I've never seen Sidmouth roads so clear of people and cars. Over the next few hours, the crowds and local cycle clubs descended and I became less conscious of being the only one clad in colourful lycra! The atmosphere was amazing, friendly and buzzing with excitement.

The race begins

At 11am, right on plan, the 6th stage of the Tour of Britain started. I clambered for a view of the passing cyclists and caught the Yates' brothers dressed, as I, in Team GB colours, head out on this 85 mile road race to Hayor, high up on Dartmoor. Little did I know then that Simon would end up taking the stage win, and I would be wearing the winning team's colours!

Stats: 20 mi, 8hr 29m, Avg 14.1 mph, Max 35.2 mph, 1,165 kcal

Day 129 - Fast & Furious

Thankfully, although still under a beautiful blue sky, the excessive temperatures of earlier in the week had abated slightly for my evening ride out with the AVP (Axe Valley Pedallers).  It was a close run thing that I was going to make it, with a last minute office call delaying my departure but although feeling a little rushed at the starting line, I was feeling in good fitness for what was to come, or so I thought.

We were lacking, today, any female riders. Not that our ladies are any less able, it is just that there is more willingness to take things easy when they join the peloton. Also, there were a number of new, younger faces making up the 12 cyclists which, lowering the average age, tends to increase the speed and it did! We rode out to Colyford along one of my well worn routes and up hill in the direction of Lyme Regis, turning almost immediately off the A3052 towards Uplyme. It is amazing how these guys get to know all these narrow single track roads as I could have been in another country, as we rode I had no way of knowing where we were! After 14 miles of hill after hill cycling, we dropped down into Axminster and took a cycle path out to Kilmington. I may get ribbed for having one of the only hybrids in the group, but for the surfaces we traversed, I can not think of a better machine to have than my Crosstrail Sport. Also for training purposes and for its range of gears, it is the perfect cycle for me. That is not to say that if I'm still into cycling this time next year, that I won't have moved up to a full road bike - the performance some of these guys get out of their machines is very impressive!

After working our way through a field of inquisitive bullocks, with their horns, we made the 4 miles back to Colyford in a quick 15 minutes where I split with the team to return home. On reading my stats, the feeling that it was a fast and furious ride was born out. I achieved another 3 PBs!

Stats: 22.01 mi, 1h:57m:23s , Avg 11.3 mph, Max 33.5, 1301 kcal

PBs:

  One hour: 12.43 mi, 

  10 mi 43m:0s, 

  20 km 59m:59s

Day 89 - Peloton Rides

It was a full on cycling day today. Being unsure that the weather was going to be good enough for an evening ride with the Axe Valley Pedallers, I stuck to my plan to also do a morning circuit. Under cloudy sky we headed out following the same route as yesterday but was very pleased to be also joined by Mike, my neighbour. I'm really starting to enjoy the social side of cycling as well as the drive for fitness.

One new discovery today was that the cafe in Seaton harbour, at the 5 mile marker, not only opens early, but also does a range of cooked breakfasts! Mike and I thought this would be an ideal Friday treat .. watch this space.

Stats: 6.94 mi, 39m 42s, Avg 10.5 mph, Max 31.7 mph, 440 kcal

As 6:30 pm approached, the time that the Axe Valley Pedallers meet, blue sky started to appear from behind heavy grey clouds which had dominated the horizon for most of the afternoon. The evening ride was on!

You may recall, that on last week's ride we lost half of our number on a slippery downhill corner. As the group gathered for this week's journey into the unknown, we were joined by a fellow cyclist in a sling. Yes, this was one of the fallers from last week who had sustained a break to his collar bone! Two of the other fallers were here too, bruised but otherwise up for another circuit. The missing cyclist was the guy now nicknamed recumbent .. hope he's OK.

After twenty minutes of chat, twelve of us headed back in towards the town centre and then out along the estuary into Axmouth. Rather than heading on to Colyford as I would normally have done, we turned off onto the road to Dowlands and made our way up to join the A3052 at Rousden. This is a road I've taken many a time in the car to Lyme Regis and beyond, but I thought, surely we're not heading into Lyme tonight. Anyone familiar with this area and Lyme Regis in particular, will know that this idilic seaside town is surrounded by some of the steepest hills and tonight I found myself descending down one of the most picturesque roads in the country, yes, into Lyme Regis! This is a road that takes your breath away just walking up.

The sky was now clear and the sun was beaming down on us, what a glorious way to spend a Thursday evening. 

Catching the rays in Lyme Regis

There are two main routes in and out of Lyme Regis and both of them are near vertical climbs. Thankfully, the peloton leaders knew another route ... prepare for some off-roading. We climbed out of Lyme across fields, along tracks, following brooks and along narrow lanes, up to meet the A35 at Harcombe Bottom, a village I never knew existed. This was basically four miles of what seemed never ending hills and by far the toughest ride of my life - to date!

Once up on the A35, it was then a more or less 8 mile gentle decent back to Seaton through Rousden and Axmouth, but having some student riders with us tonight, it was far from a gentle ride, maintaing an average of 20 mph for most of this return journey, my legs did not know what had hit them. We regrouped on Seaton's old bridge over the River Axe at the mouth of the estuary before returning to the Kings arms .. and yes, finally that après cycle beer!

Regrouping on Seaton's old bridge

This Lyme Regis circuit earned me three new PBs: a new speed record of 33 mph and that was breaking all the way down into Lyme, and two new Endo PBs: 11.23mi in one hour and 20km in 1hr 09m. What a night!

Stats: 20.61 mi, 2hr 08m, Avg 9.7 mph, Max 33.0 mph, 1,419 kcal

Seaton to Lyme Regis Circuit

Day 88 - 300 Miles 20,000 kcal

The rain cleared sufficiently today for my steed and I to venture out after the abhorrent weather of yesterday. Still very damp under rubber, I headed out on the Gnome on the Run route, first ridden two weeks ago; up Barnards Hill Lane past allotments and out to join Harepath Hill and down through Colyford to return via Axmouth and the marina. You know when it's been raining as a giant puddle always forms at the threshold to the Underfleet cycle path and not another to be seen anywhere else along the same stretch of road. Thank goodness I say again for those long mudguards!

No photos, today. I forgot the camera and after recent issues with Endo, I was not going to risk multitasking again. What makes me laugh is that Endomondo have just launched an update to the app which allows, at the end of a workout, for you to attach any photos taken during it .. very funny!

I'm now 88 days through my tour, it was the 2nd March when I first set out on my steed, almost 3 months ago. Not quite an anniversary yet but still a day to reflect, in that I've reached my 300 mile / 20,000 kcal milestone! I had some doubts all those days ago that I'd still be at this cycling lark and after not seeing the pounds come falling off after week one, being the impatient man I am, I'm surprised today that I'm still at it. I'm enjoying the challenge of getting out every day, seeing the changing scenery, discovering new routes and taking on those hills - although there are times when moving to Norfolk sounds like a good idea!

So, where to tomorrow? I'm hoping the weather stays dry, as tomorrow's the day when the Axe Valley Pedallers meet and I'm looking forward to another peloton circuit and may be this time I'll get that après cycle beer which has so far alluded me!

Stats: 6.80 mi, 36m 37s, Avg 11.2 mph, Max 31.7 mph, 406 kcal

Day 81 - Musbury

I was up earlier than usual today, these lighter mornings playing havoc with my body clock, which offered me the opportunity to take that longer ride I spoke of on Saturday. Now that the Axminster road   has reopened following its collapse last week, I had in mind to extend my Colyford circuit to take in Musbury, the next village along.

Starting up hill and across to Harepath, I used the recently discovered lane out to the main road. Dropping down into Colyford, I amazingly broke my latest speed record by a further 3.8 mph, reaching 32.8 mph by the time I hit the bottom of the dip. It was going to be a good ride. Through Colyford and before the tram crossing, I turned into Colyton and headed out under what would have been the old railway bridge, before Beeching's destruction of the local rail network. The hill that followed rivals my Three Hills and even the 'daddy' of them all, Seaton Down Hill but once over the brow, the next 5 or so miles were wonderful. As they say, 'what goes up must come down' and in this case it certainly made for a pleasant ride through small hamlets and into Musbury itself.

Once out of Musbury, the road becomes busy, this being the main route between Axminster and Axmouth. I powered on my flashing taillight just to increase my visibility on these winding narrow lanes. Just before entering Axmouth, I passed over the new tarmac being the only evidence of the land slip which had earlier blocked this road for almost a week. The Axmouth estuary road is now a familiar and bumpy one, past the pill boxes, the thatched cottages, bird hides and entering Seaton at the marina.

Heading back inland along Route 2 / 33, I thought I'd share with you some of the obstacles placed in the way of cyclists along this so called cycle route. It is also interesting that in the three months I've been cycling this route, I've never seen another cyclist use it!

First obstacle is the set of parallel bars which may have some value to warn cyclists they are joining a main carriageway but these precede a minor lane leading to a sewage treatment works! The second is a narrow bridge and lane hardly wide enough to get a bike through. Luckily, I've never met anyone coming the other way, as when I last looked my bike had no reverse gear! Finally, within the last few weeks, Devon County Council have as good as blocked the entry to the cycle route with a metal bared gate with the only purpose of displaying a giant no tipping sign as this is not a lane which goes anywhere! Also, why do this when there's a perfectly good wall a few feet to the right which would have done just as good a job?

OK .. rant over, Sustrans take note!

Overall this was one of my best morning rides of the year. The weather was kind, the legs held out and the scenery was delightful, I also achieved three new PBs: a new top speed of 32.8 mph, a new distance record of 11.74 miles and a 10 mile record of 47m:51s which is a 3m:28s improvement on my Day 77 circuit last week.

Stats: 11.74 mi (PB), 59m 31s, Avg 11.8 mph, Max 32.8 mph (PB), 660 kcal

Day 79 - Warm Start

This morning must be the warmest of the year as, for the first time, the air was a pleasant temperature from the start and positively warm when the sun broke through the clouds.

The route today took me up my Three Hills and across the park. I've not done that before, but it looked so idilic and in the absence of any No Cycling signs, impulse took over. As the park overlooks the sea it was also an obvious decision to stop for breather and to rehydrate with the view of views.

As much as I would have liked, I couldn't stay here all day, so once the path down to the Esplanade was clear of pedestrians, I headed off for one of my usual return loops.

Stats: 5.04 mi, 32m 10s, Avg 9.4 mph, Max 28.9 mph, 356 kcal

Day 77 - Route Barrée

Well, we have another hole in the road and a route barrée for all traffic, including me and my steed. That said, I was not looking to travel far down this road, the main thoroughfare to Axminster, I was there to see the hole!

So what of this hole? Earlier in the week, heavy rain running through the culvert under one of the busiest roads in the area washed a large section down stream. Being out at the crack of dawn this morning gave me the idea of getting a good look at the damage. You can see my steed and I (behind the camera) taking a closer look from behind the council's cordon. We know how to live dangerously!

Back on the 'open' road, I promised yesterday a shot of the old Colyford post office, sans butcher's van. Well here it is. Note in particular how the white of its walls stand out against the cloudless sky .. it's going to be a gloriously sunny day today! 

Apart from the excursion to see the hole - which had all but been filled in - my circuit was a pretty uneventful glide through Colyford and Axmouth and all too short for the time I had available, so to eat up the miles, I decided to run 5 laps of the Esplanade which doubled up my morning's total to a little over 10 miles, see the 5-10 mile markers in the map below. This ride today gave me a new distance record of 10 miles in 51m 19s and the greatest distance travelled in a week of 39.8 miles, unless I add to this tomorrow of course. 

I'm pleased to be back in the groove and am very much looking forward to the Axminster road opening again, as I have a cunning plan for another longer route. Watch this space. As for the route art, spongebob squarepants is all I have to say! 

Stats: 10.46 mi, 55m 15s, Avg 11.4 mph, Max 21.0 mph, 612 kcal

Day 76 - Return to the Three Hills

After what seems an age, I decided this morning that I could not put off including the Three Hills in my circuit any longer. These are the short but steep Seaton Down, Bunts and Beer, and they were, when taken together, as tough as ever. Every morning I've ventured out this week I've been shocked by the coolness of the air and today was no exception. Out of the sun the temperatures reminded me of my icy circuits back at the start of March. Unfortunately the long stretch of road which follows the estuary into Axmouth was very much in the shade and the wind whipping up over the water was turning my exposed fingers blue and numb. I think this just pushed me along faster in an attempt to build up some warmth, hence my new average speed record of 11.4 mph, which considering this included my Three Hills was amazing.

Once past the 1940s gun emplacements, pill boxes and over the tram lines at Colyford station you know you are on the home stretch. The Colyford post office is the turning in point and I stopped to capture a picture of this old white building bathed in sun but the butcher decided at that moment to go and park his van right in my field of view! I'll try again on my next outing. In the meantime here's a snap of the approach to the Colyford tram crossing. 

I feel I am now back in the zone, my legs have returned to their old complaining self and I'm looking forward to getting out into the saddle again tomorrow.

And the route art today .. the running gnome takes a rest.

Stats: 6.99 mi, 36m 43s, Avg 11.4 mph, Max 28.2 mph, 407 kcal

Day 74 - Giro d'Seaton

While the wind seems to have blown yesterday's torrential rain away, cycling this morning against 30mph+ gusts was a bit of a challenge! I headed out early aiming to tackle my 3 hills but at the top of the first it was clear that the other two would have to wait, after all they'll still be there tomorrow.

It also sounds like Wiggins, competing in the Giro d'Italia, is not on the form of last year and he too appears to be suffering in the bad weather and with the hills .. it's great to be in such good company!

Stats: 4.84 mi, 27m 29s, Avg 10.6 mph, Max 22.5 mph, 305 kcal

Day 73 - When the Rain Comes

You know the song?  .. "rain, I don't mind", well I don't know about that but what I could do with, when caught out in the rain, is windscreen wipers on my glasses as a twinkling soft focus is not the best vision selection for when out dodging cars.

The route today was an erratic one to say the least. My main aim was to stay out of the cold driving wind as I'm not putting my winter layers back on. It is May after all! I am, however, feeling better to be back in the saddle again, so weather permitting .. because I really do mind the rain .. I'll be out again tomorrow.

Stats: 5.40 mi, 33m 06s, Avg 9.8 mph, Max 20.6 mph, 367 kcal

Day 59 - Spring Air

Finally, I feel spring is in the air! Under clear blue sky, although still a little chilly, we headed out for a gentle circuit. After struggling nearly a whole week, a month back, to complete my three hills in one, I now pretty much glide up them without noticing .. well almost without noticing. At the top of the hills the views can be superb and today I even came across a friendly couple of ponies, if only I were carrying an apple or carrot, although where in my lycra I could hide such items is anyone's guess!

This dark pony was very keen on having a pat.

Heading on down to the sea was equally idilic. Had the temperature been a little warmer and had I been dressed for such an excursion, I would have been over the pebbles and in for a swim. The sea was like a mill pond.

The return trip was as on Sunday with an extended loop to include the hospital. I saw potential to move from baby elephant, in my new found interest of 'route painting', to may be a cat? What do you think .. either a cat laying down with nose (the 3 mile marker) in the air or looking out towards us?

Stats: 3.85 mi, 22m 10s, Avg 10.4 mph, Max 27.9 mph, 246 kcal

Day 58 - Weekend Circuits

I had some good friends visiting this weekend so headed out early Saturday and Sunday to avoid eating into our socialising. I have not, as yet, found cycling to be the most social activity .. as a minimum your friends at least need a bike of their own!

Both circuits were easier than I expected, considering my enforced grounding.

On Saturday we (my steed and I) headed out to Colyton and returned via Axmouth covering just under 9 miles in 45 minutes .. it felt good. Later that morning, following the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group recommendation that one in ten journeys should be by bike, I thought I'd cycle the mile and a bit down to the builders merchant rather than take the car. When I got there, however, I found them closed for stocktake. No justice! Also, Endomondo decided to play up, failing to track my ride due to a logon error, was not best pleased with that either.

Stats: 8.95 mi, 45m 23s, Avg 11.8 mph, Max 21.8 mph, 503 kcal

On the subject of the APPCG recommendation, please take time to read their Report and sign the e-Petition, it would make such a positive change if only a small part of this were implemented.

Later that evening, I was back in Colyton with friends for a few beers. Coincidentally, we were invited to 'gatecrash' a 60th birthday party in one of the local pubs, so a great evening was had. On Sunday morning, I confess, I was not feeling much like getting back on the bike; the sky was grey, the temperature cool and the late night revelry was resting heavy on my head and other regions. Thinking that a ride would do more good than bad, I kitted up and hit the saddle. To clear the cobwebs, I decided on the 3 hills route .. a painful climb but two great rolling descents to look forward to.

Doesn't this Sunday Three Hills circuit look a little like a baby elephant lying with its trunk in the air?

Stats: 3.57 mi, 21m 41s, Avg 9.9 mph, Max 26.1 mph, 240 kcal

Day 56 - We're Back

After 10 days, which seemed interminably longer, without my steed, we are back on the road!

As planned, I collected my Specialized from the Bike Shed last night. It's such a great service that they have late opening until 8:00 pm every Thursday and what perfect timing with all the repairs having been completed that morning.

Fast forwarding then to this morning and with the sun breaking slowly through the morning mist, I took my long awaited morning ride down to the sea. We climbed, as we've done most mornings, up hill to complete a 'stall turn' into Marlpit Lane, to then dive down hill, following Marlpit, Sea Lane into Sea Hill and levelling out onto the Promenade .. bliss!

To settle back into the groove, we completed a few mile circuits of the Promenade before heading off across the park towards the wetlands. I can't believe how big the lambs have grown in the last 2 weeks .. so cute!

At the 4 mile mark we leave the Cycle Route and return back into suburbia, steadily climbing back up hill, threading our way through the lanes and cycle paths home.

Two observations from this morning's ride, first I'm talking here of 'we' when there is just myself and my bike and doesn't the route outline below look a little like a gnome sat fishing? Hmm, I think it's time for work!

Stats: 5.63 mi, 32m 26s, Avg 10.4 mph, Max 22.4 mph, 360 kcal

Day 41 - Kangaroo Circuit

I've done well these last two days in avoiding the downpours. The quick circuit this morning was again timed just right, because as I type the rain is again falling while I managed to return dry just some 30 minutes ago. My route this morning, when drawn out on a map, alarmingly reminds me of the shape of a kangaroo! I now need to look back over my previous routes to see if any other objects come to mind. This is like staring into the sky on a summer's day and seeing shapes in the clouds. I can also see something else happening here ... routes predefined by the shapes they will draw on a map, now there's a challenge!

Moving swiftly on, before the sirens and men in white coats arrive, my 4 mile ride this morning has brought my total distance travelled up to 140 miles in 6 weeks and my Endomondo statistics dashboard has finally registered me as having made 0.001 trips to the moon ... those astronauts certainly have a long way to peddle!

Tomorrow is a special day for my bike, but more on that later.

Stats: 4.39 mi, 25m 07s, Avg 10.5 mph, max 21.0 mph, 278 kcal

Day 39 - Spring on Hold

Having just thawed out from yesterday's Seaton short circuit, with a bit of Wetlands thrown in for good measure, I was hoping to get a longer ride this morning, however, nature had other plans for me. A change in wind direction has brought back the rain and a reoccurring pain in the tum has sealed my fate for today.

I'll check back at lunch time to see how the land lies but it looks as though we've more wet and windy stuff coming in and I may need to sit the next few days out. I know my legs will be at least happy with that decision!

Posted with Blogsy

Day 37 - Sidmouth

Something different today .. a park & ride trip to Sidmouth, which lies two further villages west, along the coast from Seaton. Having to drive and drop my wife off in Sidmouth this morning, I thought I'd load up the bike and do a bit of exploring.

With an hour to play with I had intended to do a circuit out along Sid road to Sidford and back into Sidmouth along the main A375, however, after a detour over Mill Street ford, which for some reason was specifically signposted "unsuitable for cyclists", I wheeled upon the Sidmouth section of National Cycle Route 2.

This is an idilic 2 mile tarmac route through parkland along the river Sid, winding its way over bridges on an interesting crisscrossing path which exits either north, in Sidford, my intended mid point or to the east at Fortescue, onto Sid Road.

I enjoyed the outward run to Sidford so much that once back in Sidmouth I circled around and up the beach to retrace my route along the cycle path, turning off this time at the eastern fork to Fortescue where I was able to join Sid Road which took me over the river back into Sidmouth. 

The weather was near perfect, much warmer than earlier weeks and so, I was finally able to shed the majority of the Michelin-man layers that I'd been carrying since starting my Tour-de-Fitness. The strong easterly breeze along the front, however, took a great deal of peddle power to maintain forward motion, while returning in the opposite direction on the second circuit was a dream!

At the 8 mile point, I came upon a coffee shop and after pondering for a while over whether I could risk leaving my steed untethered outside while I took on caffeine within, I spotted a handy takeaway window, from which my beverage was duly served. 

I was then able to enjoy sitting in the sun, overlooking the beach watching the Exe to Axe runners pass by on their torturous route from Exmouth to Seaton, it gets no better than this!

Stats: 9.5 mi, 54m 36s, Avg 10.4 mph, max 26.5 mph, 605 kcal