Thursday:  09. 05. 2018

Tavistock - Oakhampton

Welcome back to Old Bones on Bikes. After some considerable absence (all Alan’s fault for having to spend time in hospital last year!) we made the decision to cycle the Tour de Manche. So today has seen our first day on tour for some time. More on that shortly.

It should be noted that for the first time we have taken to the road using proper touring bikes and panniers! A big advantage of the latter is that a fall is cushioned by these large protuberances on either side of the bike - not that we have yet undergone the experience. However, we have discovered a whole new aspect of bike control - like trying to avoid wobbling into the path of oncoming traffic. Don’t you just love trying out new things! Our new things seem to be very heavy and make lifting the bike more than a millimetre from the ground, almost impossible.

So, today: we parked the camper on a secure mooring and leapt aboard our two wheeled transport. Alan had previously mentioned, when questioned, that Plymouh to Exeter was hilly; ignored at the time but proved to be very accurate. The most accurate being a hilly of 15%, up which I could barely push my laden chariot. Thus our planned 50 - 60 kilometres was severely reduced to a bare 40. It has been an excellent’ practice run’ with more than 1500 feet of ascent. The weather has been incredibly clement - sunning for the most part and generally following or sideways winds and spectacular views from the TOP of Dartmoor.

We have arrived in Oakhampton and are sharing a pub with the ten tors marshals. If their walking and navigation skills match their arm raising with a beer in hand, they should all do very well.

I think it is fair to say that we have gained in confidence today and we wait to see how many aches and pains we have discovered tomorrow. Regardless, we shall be on our way again come rain (probably) or shine (less likely).

Friday. 11.05.2018

Oakhampton - Exmouth:   60kms.

Hoorah! Distance achieved today an improvement on yesterday by a fair margin and we have ridden up and down Dale just the same - and since twoish this afternoon we have been wet, not that that is anything new.

Our very helpful receptionist of yesterday's pub, made it very clear that there was taking place that evening a pub quiz, a do for a retirement and live music! She was anxious that we would be able to withstand those interruptions to our sleep. Al heard none of it anyway and remarkably neither did I. Head on pillow and out for nine hours. Yes, we did go to bed very early!

We shared breakfast with no none except the cook/chef/boss who had spent much of the night in A and E with a very bad burn. We learned in great detail how it had happened along with a potted history of her working life. We also, more importantly, enjoyed a superb breakfast.

Getting going is still a work in progress but we did manage around 09.15 which would have been 0900 if Al hadn’t let more air out of his tyre while attempting to put more in. Got there in the end. Did I mention that Oakhampton is in a deep valley and the only way out is up! Really got us in the mood.

We have enjoyed our first bus shelter meal after an enormous climb (mostly pushing but still knackering). A notice advised us that it was costing 4000 quid a year to upkeep the shelter! They was robbed - it accommodated several hundred spiders’ webs and a considerable amount of muck but it was dry and it did sport a seat.

The run down from Exeter to Exmouth would have been stunning on a nice day and was excellently signposted. I’m not sure if Devon is unhappy about encouraging cyclist or just that sustrans have not got their act together but we saw no signs for this ‘popular’ route until we had muddled our way to and through Exeter.

Looking forward to a meal and a rest as tomorrow looks to be quite a challenge.