Saturday 07.06.25

Launceston  - Oakhampton  45kms 1600'

The best that can be said of today is that we are 45kms nearer to our goal! I have eaten almost my entire elephaSant and we are now recovered from our bout of hyperthermia. We did want an adventure but today was just a tad ott. We had gone no more than 3kms when the heavens opened very wide indeed! Within minutes we were soaked and I mean down to knickers. Not content with ensuring we were wet (did I mention the rain?) the temperature plummeted and we had to seek our first bus shelter of this trip to take on hot drinks and for me to don a  extra layer just to get more stuff wet. Chill factor on the downhills was quite serious. When we reached Oakhampton, which did seem to get further and further away, we headed straight for a cafe at the station and discovered we couldn't even use our phones as we were trembling so much with the cold! Clothes were, by now sodden, but fortunately the chairs in said cafe were wooden so no cushions to soak. A large bacon and brie baguette and  cups of tea later, we (Alan) managed to open his phone with only a slightly shaking finger. The man really can come up trumps sometimes. This time he remembered the pub that we stayed in  5 years ago! They had a room! With a hot shower and radiators that are now blasting out the heat. Riding a bike is never without memorable experiences but this one can bugger off. No photos today as rain stopped play, (have I mentioned the rain/storm?).

Tomorrow is looking better, (apart from hail and snow, it couldn't be much worse )so maybe we can manage 50kms! I forgot to mention the added challenge of riding/walking uphill against a rising stream of water running downhill. Have I told you about the rain?!

Early night then onwards and definitely upwards in the morning.