21 st July A day on the Granny ring.

A lay in until 7.15 today. Sun is already shining and I collect my dry kit from the boiler house. Lovely, kit and panniers dry. A leisurely breakfast of porridge and lovely to put a dry tent away. I’m on my way by 8.30. I’m trying to run two gps systems on my phone today so we will see if the charging system works. Down the hill and back to Oakhampton to pick up my route.

The navigation was straightforward today, only one minor error in Exeter.

Lots of Sunday groups out today and whizzed past on light carbon bikes, but was I jealous? Of course I was but Genevieve always looks after me. I did have a chat with a British Cycling Ladies group, getting more ladies into cycling. They were on the way to see some interesting graffiti, they admitted more cake and coffee stops than riding. My thoughts are why else would you ride a bike.

Moors were stunning in the sunlight and my camera can never do the views justice. You will have to come and see for yourselves. Being on a bike you are more immersed in the countryside. Definitely finding my climbing legs. Sitting in the granny gear and spinning. Eventually getting to the top. Very different to Norfolk where you attack the hills to get them over. One climb called the 5 mile climb doesn’t lend itself to that approach.

A beautiful grey wagtail met me at one junction. Why when the distinguishing feature is a bright yellow stripe, and the tail bobs would you call it a grey wagtail. It’s obviously a yellow striped bobtail. You can see you have lots of time to think on a bike.

28 miles saw me into Exeter. Obviously on a hill. Lovely view of the cathedral but I was concentrating more on the traffic. By the time I could look more it was too far behind me. I did have a lovely holiday with Jayne around Exeter and we spent some time around the cathedral. Didn’t see the peregrines though.

A proper lunch with green stuff as well set me up for the afternoon. It is really day 3 and as Andrew at my cycling club says, that’s the day that hits hard after the initial excitement and until you body adjusts. Eventually it goes oh we are cycling again, ok and gets on with it.

The afternoon continued lumpy and I was finding it harder going. Please let me have some flat, and then 5 miles of flat. Elation was short lived as I realised it was into a strong headwind. Still that’s how fen people train for the hills, it’s always headwind there.

5.30 and 62 miles in I stop at a pub to fill my bottles, that’s my excuse and google campsites. One 11 miles on, perfect. I ring and they have room.

Note to self, ask if it’s uphill! This makes the last two nights with really long and steep climbs to the campsite. Both times I haven’t felt like cycling back down to the town for tea. Rations out of the panniers again.

The site looked lovely on the website. I book in and I’m told the bar had just closed as had the shop. The shop had nothing in anyway. Still charged full price though. It does have one consolation, A BATH!!!

Tent set up, tea made and then a Long soak. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Still loving it!