Day 4: Taunton to North Bristol

The Team: Damian, Paul, David, Marco & John.

The Somerset Levels, flat of course. And made even more fun by a southerly wind. What awaits at the other side isn't. Stopping for sarnies in Wedmore the conversation kept coming back to the upcoming Cheddar Gorge and its 200m of climb. A final stop for last minute gel intake and we were off with John taking pictures of the rest of us as we were ascending (is that showing off?!?). A racer-type cyclist caught up with us and promptly fell of as his chain came off. He was soon sweeping past us again though, and a vain attempt to keep up with him lasted all of about 20 seconds. I blame the panniers! A steep section in the middle of the climb had me out of the saddle in lowest gear for the first time. Luckily that bit didn't last long, but the rest of the climb did seem to go on forever. A race for the top resulted in the lead changing hands a number of times and, with no definitive end point, the debate about who won continues to rage. On the descent, there can be no argument as Paul clocked up the fastest time of the day, going to prove that weight has an advantage on the downhill.

Stopped for drinks at the cafe on Chew Valley Lake, the venue prompting sailing stories which, like their fishing counterparts, seemed to grow in the telling! A last hill and we were now on my home patch on the outskirts of Bristol. A brief but fairly emotional detour to my dad's grave in Whitchurch Cemetery almost ended with John joining him due to the proximity of the nearest bend to the cemetary gates! Then onto my mum's in Stockwood for a welcome bowl of pasta before passing my old school and picking up the Bath to Bristol cycle path at Bitton. Used this to skirt the east of Bristol before meeting up with the now fifth member of the team, Damian who, together with his son Thomas, escorted us back to his house where we'd be staying tonight. Some more welcome home-made food and a trip to a country pub completed a satisfying day.

Tomorrow, unfortunately, we say goodbye to Paul and David who have both been fantastic company and a pleasure to be around. Will miss you.

It's now 1 in the morning and the screen's starting to blur. Should get to bed as tomorrow the mileage increases and so we're aiming to start a bit earlier. Just got a very nice voicemail from Alison who is at Pete Johnston's 40th birthday party (Happy Birthday Mate!). That, and the evening's beer, should send me to sleep with a smile on my face.

PS Will try and upload some pics, if I can the technology to work.

Day 3: Okehampton to Taunton

Paul, did you not get the memo about the jackets?

Woke to find that radiators in room hadn't been working, so kit was still wet. John continued to display his engineering prowess, creating an impromptu drying room using a wardrobe and hairdryer, until the hairdryer packed up. After another full English, left Okehampton and soon on the old A30 towards Exeter - fantastic cycling road, being wide, smooth and minimal traffic. Made good time to Tedburn St Mary, then lanes to Crediton where stopped for 2nd breakfast. Seems that we've moved to 4 meals a day, is that normal? Also here that received first bit of road rage, unsurprisingly from a Range Rover. More lanes to pub stop in utterly Butterleigh, then downhill to Wellington avoiding charging quarry lorries, including one driven by a blonde-mulleted, scary-looking bruiser of a girl (we think) whose name was posted across her cab. Can't say what it was for fear of retribution. Soon after, the Twitcher got his own back in terms of repressed embarassing interests, as Paul and I excitedly waved at the 125 train going past.

Got to Wellington just before shops shut. John had time to buy leg warmers from the cycle shop or ear plugs from Boots - 2 nights sharing a room with me was starting to tell. The weather meant that John setttled for the former, a decision that he was later to regret as, in the middle of the night, he was forced to fashion ear plugs from moist toilet roll. He was to go back to sleep worried about waking to find the papier mache somewhat more solidified.

Stayed at a fantastic B&B called Lower Farm, Thornfalcon just outside Taunton hosted by the colourful and ever so hospitable John and Doreen who welcomed us with a glass of local ale. Short walk to the pub for an evening meal where we were joined by David, fresh from one of those everlasting Friday afternoon escapes from London.

Day 2: St Austell to Okehampton

Shame it's bolted down...

Fred the seagull joined us for breakfast. That's when I realised that I'm cycling with a closet Twitcher. Apparently it's not a Seagull but a Herring Gull. Later I was made to note the Housemartins carrying the mud from the farm lanes to make their nests. No danger of boredom on this trip... First stop in Lostwithiel resulted in lots of attention (and donations) from the village elders - only notice from the younger generation was getting the V's from a kid on the school bus. Through Minions (highest village in Cornwall) then crossed into Devon at Horsebridge. More hills to Brentor (where started raining big time) and Lydford where got onto the Granite Way all the way to Okehampton, only stopping for a puncture where John showed his F1 pitstop skills to fix in record time. Joined there by the irrepressible Paul who (allegedly) had cycled from Exeter. Still have my doubts.

 

Actually now sitting in Damian and Mary's house at the end of Day 4, and have been getting a bit of abuse for not updating more regularly so here goes...

Day 1: Land's End to St Austell

Land's End, Marco & John

Early start to get the first train out of Tunbridge Wells (05:16) into London Charing Cross. Then a short ride across town to meet John on the 07:30 from London Paddington to Penzance. Train journey involved passing through towns that we'd be passing back through in the next few days. Once the Somerset levels had passed, the view was worryingly hilly and grey. Penzance arrived all too soon, and the prebooked taxi took us to Land's End (is that cheating?). The driver quite usefully informed us that the best pasties in Cornwall could be found at Philps in Marazion. After the obligatory pics at the signpost (when the official photographer wasn't looking) and a team pic at the Start\Finish line, we were off at about 2:30. Back through Penzance, first stop at the advised pasty shop. The taxi driver wasn't wrong, easily the largest and tastiest pasty I've ever had. It was only at the end of the day that I realised that there was a distinct lack of roadkill in Cornwall. Coincidence? The rest of the day passed under monochrome skies and ever increasing drizzle - really not showing Cornwall at its best. Saw at least 5 other end-to-enders going the other way. You could tell them by the deep tan, tired waves, sunken eyes and that smile which seemed to say "You have no idea....". Rain drove us into the Sainsbury's cafe in Truro, where the help-yourself soup bowl was filled to the brim, and an hour and a half later finally arrived at a truckstop in St Austell masquerading as our B&B. Sadly, the only thing left open for food was the McD's across the road. Walking back in the rain, still smiling, we agreed that things are bound to get better...

Map Day 1

T-1

Well we're nearly there. Not nearly enough training done, still too many niggling injuries - woke up Sunday hardly able to walk with what I think is tendonitis. And that's in my good knee! And the wind has picked up. Have studiously avoided looking at any weather forecasts, given that the last couple of months have been relatively calm. But have now had a peak and, quel surprise, looks like day 1 is going to be a little wet with wind in our faces, and day 2 very wet but with wind behind. Small mercies...

Timetable...