August 2010
41 posts
Lands end
The final day, began with another late start, 12 again but my decision this time. I set out for the a30, which turned out to be a big mistake. It was horrendously busy and when it narrowed not much fun. There were a few steep climbs that I had flattened out in my memories of driving along the road before, but I finally made it to chiverton roundabout near Truro. My first stage had been difficult,...
St Stephens
All I can say is what a day. I’m ruined. I think its safe to say that it has been the hardest/toughest ride of my life. 63 miles of hills, hills and hills. Completely draining, rewarding in some stupid way, I’m sure in 6 months time I’ll think it was great. But not right now. The ride from Okehampton started hilly, but nothing too bad at first fun around Dartmoor, i went through...
Okehampton
I’m feeling a bit better today, I woke up in the cider farm come campsite after a good nights sleep it was very humid lastnight, I was exhausted and had a kip when I got to the campsite. I woke with some doubt about what lay ahead and if I could reach my target. I set off earlier than I had expected with little food and a positive buzz. My first target was Tiverton for lunch and supplies,...
Taunton
I woke up this morning feeling a bit shaky, I had a good nights sleep. But any sense of time and place is leaving me. I think I’m coming down with something, which isn’t a good start to the day. Breakfast was alright, another fry up. Strangely I’m going off them. I set out early again today a reversal on yesterday which did throw me and my usual reutine. The going from portishead...
Cardiff-newport-portishead
Cardiff to newport was a breeze. I keep managing to get a bit lost, the map isn’t as detailed as I would like but I’ve had no major issues. I had a great time in Cardiff seeing the gang and catching up with Kim. Newport has changed a lot but I found the riverfront easily to meet Matt and janire. I had a chilled evening with the gang and it was really good to see them and what...
Cardiff
The campsite in Brecon last night was a real change from what I was used to. It had lots of families on holiday, and was very touristy. A shock to the system. I’m getting progressively more tired and while I love the freedom involved in the process, I miss “normal” existence. I have fully embraced the spirit of journey and have been surprised in my lack of interest in wanting to...
Brecon
It’s been a good run today, a real mix of long uphills and nice descents. But pretty draining, the last few days of cycling seem to be taking it’s toll on me. I did manage to get in to a rhythm today unlike yesterday and my route was evenly punctuated with villages and towns to stop in. Thankfully the rain held off most of the day and I did seem to be able to outrun it. I’ve done...
Day 14: Llanidloes
Again I left about 9:30, as soon as I got on my bike it decided to start raining, not heavily but enough that I had to put on the wet weather gear. I had slept well so thought the day would be a doddle. Think again. It was a difficult start as I was immediately into hills which made settling into a rhythm very hard, I cycled into Dolgellau then began a long climb out in steadily worsening weather...
Day 13 stats
Total distance: 627
Total today 54
Average 10.6
Calories 1791
Day 13: penmaenpool
I left the campsite about 9:30 after being ripped off £12 for a rather poor site, with £1 showers and rather lame facilities so I can’t recommend it. The ride was initially rather hilly but I got some pace going and managed to keep moving. There was one particularly long high climb which must be my longest non-stop climb to date, out of Porthmadog followed by a good few miles downhill, which...
Day 12: Menai bridge
A short stint today, at only 25 miles. But I’m back in blighty, well Wales. Anyway a lazy start to the day waiting to get the ferry mid afternoon, then following the a55 from Holyhead off Anglesey to menai bridge. Found an odd little campsite, just outside of town. It’ll suffice for the night. Lovely dry day bit hot as there was no wind to speak of, wee bit hilly but the new chain and...
Day 11: Dublin
Another long day at 60+ miles but again very enjoyable due to the nice wide hard shoulder along most roads. Not a bad day really starting to feel aches and pains in my legs and hands which is worrying. But once I got moving things weren’t bad, I’ve begun eating like a horse and my love of bananas whilst cycling has gone to new heights! 6 over the day. When I got near dublin I finally...
Day 10: Belfast to Dundalk
Well I knew today would be long but I didn’t realise it would be quite so long. The day started with sunshine! I followed the cycle route out of Belfast to Lisburn which was a great cycle route along the river all off road and nice cycling. Got stopped by the police who were talking to cyclists about the route and ended up getting some more sponship, so thank you to the Belfast police dept....
Day 9: stranraer
Today was difficult, started out at culzean with good weather but as I crept towards Stranraer over hill after hill I found the weather gradually worsen. It was probably the nastiest it’s been yet. Anyway I managed to dry out as I hit Stranraer. There was a fantastic downhill section but that was somewhat over showered by the rain, but in the dry it could be awesome. When I finally got to...
Culzean bay
I’ve finally rocked up at culzean bay. The ride has been very good today, I left Lochranza on arran early and started with a tough slog up hill almost immediately. After a couple of miles of that in wonderful sunshine I defended around the east coast of the island. It’s truly a stunning place and one and I think my favourite place so far. The downhill sections were great fun and both I...
Day 5, 6 and 7
Day 5:
Barcaldine: This was a pretty route out from Invergarry following another big loch and hittig the west coast. I decided to camp this time. The roads were relatively busy being that I was on a fairly major A road, but nothing too bad. The route was pretty smooth, no real undulations or unexpected hills a good run all in all. The campsite was great and I did meet a lovely family with 4 great...
Day 4: Invergarry
Today has been quite exciting, cycled passed Loch Ness, which was cool! I’m afraid I didn’t spot Nessie, but then my eye sight isn’t amazing. The road from Beauly was rather nice a steadily undulating snake, twisting in a lazy fashion. The morning was a bit more up and down for 12 miles, ending in a 16% hill decent for well over half a mile, thank god I got the breaks...