It started in thick fog on main roads with nasty sharp hills that hurt legs worn out by yesterday's exertions. But then we went through Tavistock and were faced by a hill that dwarfed anything experienced since Lands End.
It was a monster but as I climbed it, the fog cleared to reveal the most stunning day- green and lush and still. And at top of the hill was some of the most spectacular scenery I have seen in my life.
Dartmoor seen by bike is simply breathtaking. Massive, brooding, with great craggy outcrops and lush grass among the gorse where cattle and sheep grazed.
Everywhere you looked was another spectacular view. Few of them spoiled by a sweaty man in Lycra.
Then we had lunch and a weird thing happened - my hand grew and grew until the pasty I was about it eat looked tiny.
The run in was mostly downhill to Exeter and then along the valley to Tiverton where I found myself a resident of a Best Western, sitting in an ice bath, drinking a banana protein shake at half past four on a Wednesday afternoon, thinking how unusual life had become.
Stats of the day: 70 miles. 12.1 mph average. 39.4 mph max. 5hrs 34mins riding.
Keep eating the pasties Bless, 5 small ones = 1 big one in these parts.
ReplyDeleteJo, Tom, Nelly and Bill xxxxx
Can we have a picture of you in the ice bath please. Bx
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