LeJogging along

Bristol to Hereford

Well, that’s us finished the first of our rest days, only intending to clock up 50 odd miles as we take it easy on ourselves – it’s a shame we’ve not yet managed to hit 70 miles in a day which should be our average – there’s a lot of miles waiting for us!

Today was a lot more touristy though, much of the day spent on cycle paths, a trip over the Severn bridge into Wales (welsh cakes with jam, in case you wondered), then up the picturesque Wye valley to Hereford, as you can tell from the picture of the picnic spot Pete proudly found, you can also see the elephant hooter on his bike – a birthday present to mark the start of the trip.

The days are beginning to meld into one, with us getting into the rhythm of waking early, warming the legs back up in the first few miles, then into the cycle of gradually dropping gears as the hills take their toll and the legs complain, then shifting back up once the hill has been beaten. Each county border signifies the time for a group shot, and it seems as though every other mile means a pee stop for Mel. Combine that with wearing the roughly the same clothes all the time (occassionally washed), and it’s all flying past!

Pete’s thought for the day:

As you peddle across this fair isle your mind tends to wander (occasionally brought back to reality with a pot hole). Many subjects have entered into my mind, such as why are all tins of tomatoes in the supermarkets dented, but mainly what an amazing invention the bicycle is. Basically someone has made an invention that can transport a human using their own power over incredible distances. Now to think 4 days ago we were in the furthest south western corner of the UK and we are now in Hereford in the midlands. Now if was to do this journey without a bike. I might have got as far as Devon. So here’s to the guy that invented the bike whoever he is, I salute you but my bum does not.

Anyway today’s riding was lovely, along cycleways and the Wye valley all very pleasant really, almost like a holiday in fact.

Before I sign off and an answer to Bex and Jim’s question and gear top tip is merino wool cycle tops, I have two. They are amazing, can wear for three full days cycling and still smell really rather pleasant (I beg to differ, although it could be his shorts actually – Simon). Conventional cycle tops, one whiff and shortage of breath and face contortion ensues.

Anyway bye for now, slumber awaits

Tiverton to Bristol

Well, another day done as we edge closer to the finish, and Somerset treated us well by being flat as a pancake in comparison to Devon (or had road builders with a lot more sense)

After only half a mile, there were a few drops of rain, so like good cyclists we stopped to put all of our wet weather gear on – jackets, bag covers and booties that made us “look like professionals” according to Mel, “chumps” was a bit closer if you ask me.. But it was all unnecessary, and the rest of the day was pretty much warm, flat and with the wind behind us (Chris B – does that sound more like it?;-) )

We’ve also been making inroads to our food journey with Devonshire cream teas to go, followed by scrumpy cider from Somerset, and cheddar cheese, as we passed near the cheddar gorge – well and truly caught up. Alas the mars bar count is slipping, my stomach can only take so much! (Chris A – I’ll try harder to eat more!)

My first injury has surfaced, the good thing being that it’s just a horsefly bite, the bad thing is that my whole wrist has swollen to look like a fat old ladies arm, as described by Pete, and suggested I start a new stat to track the circumference of my wrist.

So, hopefully this marks the start of some nice days in the saddle, and as Dad put it, we’re now getting into the groove.

Pete’s Thought for the day:

“What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours” not sure who wrote or sang that but you know what she was on to something. After the saddle related torture of the last two days, today has turned into somewhat of a doddle (comparatively speaking). Flat roads, wind behind us, easy route finding have all been our chums today. We have still chalked 68 miles off our total so it wasn’t a rest day it just feels it compared to the first two. So today has been a pleasure then, let’s hope more days are like this and we don’t let ourselves get too cocky about it all as there are 11 days and 800 miles of riding yet to come and that’s a lot of vasoline in my book.

Liskeard to Tiverton

Keeping stats can be a bad thing, take today for example, there is no way the shorter distance, slower average and less calories do justice to the ride over Dartmoor. Even the height climbed doesn’t really convey our Herculian efforts on the probable highest ride of the whole trip (what do you mean “stop milking it”?).

But anyway, there was plenty of fun on the trip today, in fact Pete enjoyed himself so much, he went back to do a section on top of Dartmoor again, with some feeble excuse about leaving his glasses behind. I also spent most the day with pants hanging from various places on my bike after they failed to dry at night, and also spent too long looking at the steep hill warnings to realise there was a steep hill with bends in it – not a good idea at 40 mph.

We’ve also deviated from the LEJOG route everyone else seems to be doing, heading north towards our goal as soon as possible. It now seems a weird choice with all the crazy climbs on long forgotten roads, and mad descents causing concerning brake noises. To Google maps, they’re all just lines, how are we meant to tell?

Apart from that, we’ve failed at our goal of eating local specialities. A Devonshire cream tea just didn’t seem to fit today, so Jo, any suggestions are appreciated! We did munch on more pasties, but I don’t think that has much to do with being near Cornwall. I’m thinking of getting a cream tea to go tomorrow morning, as we’ll be leaving Devon soon – it sure is flying by!

Pete’s thought for the day:

Well the second day of cycling has taken its toll, Mel is flat out on the bed with her back freshly rubbed with nurofen gel, my shorts are that bad that they are hanging out of the window even though they have been washed and I have had to buy vasoline, say no more. Yep its been a tough one, over Dartmoor and beyond. So far we have climbed half of everests height over the last two days which confirms that the south west is not flat if anyone was in any doubt. Off to Bristol tomorrow with promises of flat roads and easier cycling if I can get Mel out of bed.

Penzance to Liskeard:

Our first full day in the saddle has been good, the clouds broke early on for a beautiful sunny day, and our bikes and bodies made it through. We learnt the power of the main road, being flatter and smoother to let us soak up the miles, which was proved when we took a little detour through the back roads to cut a corner. We ended up with several sat nav stops to get our bearings, followed by steep hills that had Mel overtaken by a runner (yes, someone on foot..:-)) – as a way of redemption, she later passed a bunch of cycling lejoggers, one of which did not seem as though he’d make it to the end of the day, nevermind the end of the country.

As a way of entertaining ourselves for the next days, we’ve decided to eat a local speciality each day, the joy of cycling is surely stuffing your face with whatever you want. With my failed attempt to get another Cornish pasty for lunch, we ended up with Cornish ice creams instead, probably a safer idea than clotted cream!

The hills undulated, with some stinkers that required mars bar stops to refuel. Finally, Liskeard was nearing, but not before a final steep hill. I crunched down to bottom gear, causing a woman walking her dogs to look back in surprise that someone was attempting such a climb. Two minutes later, she checked again, I’d made it about five metres closer, and then had a nice little chat as I eeked by and carried on up the long hill. Mel never did see that dog walker…

Pete’s Thought for the day:

Now then, we thought the Wards would start to write a few words every night regarding our escapades along this foolish pursuit. So then first day done and we are weary but happy. We stink, Mel’s hair is on its own mission, my bum is edging into the can’t sit down category and we walk like Clive Dunn but weather is lovely as is the scenery and we have made our first destination so all good. The joy of Dartmoor tomorrow with its ponys and silly hills, will give you an update of our condition tomorrow. Please feel free to leave comments, well wishes etc on the blog.
Love Mel & Pete

With the 9 hour drive from Scotland behind us, we landed in Penzance with a couple of hours to spare. What else to do than “build up our energy” with some local produce (pasties, in case that alluded you).

After meeting Mel and Pete from their train, there was but one thing to do – get on with the ride and head out to the start, assuming we could actually find it, as a thick misty rain blanketed the land. One thing I’ve learnt over the past few months is the bewildering amount of gear you can get for cycling, so the wrap around glasses kept the rain from my eyes, the hi-vis vest kept cars away from me, and the waterproof overshoes, well they kept me looking like a bit of a tool… I’ve also re-learnt that wet brakes are pathetic, although that was after tanking along at 39mph! 🙂

Lands End itself was a bustle of activity, mostly cyclists starting or finishing country-long rides (copycats!), so with the obligatory photos taken we headed back the 9 miles to Penzance to rest, and “build up our energy” even more, may the rest of the rides be like this!

P.S 4 cyclists in one room is not a good idea for our noses, and seeing as I get to write this, I’ll blame it on everyone else 😉