Easy Rider!

Today was the easiest day so far. Most welcome as the relentless nature of this challenge doesn't give much recovery time and we were at our pub by 4pm which is great. The pub is also looking great but more on that later.

We set off with Steve K in tow from the lovely little town of Axbridge, which is well worth a visit. Once on the A38 the next 40 odd miles were pretty dull to be honest! The road was not too busy as most transports go on the M5 and it was the flattest section of the whole ride. We couldn't have everything though, the wind was very strong from the west and we were heading south west so it had quite an impact. You could tell that by the maximum speeds which were around 34mph despite a couple of great long downhill sections.

We had lunch at a Burger King just off the M5. We really know how to enjoy ourselves and how to ensure we eat the right food to get maximum performance whilst on the bike!!

The remaining 25 miles or so where much better. There were some hills but the scenery was starting to get much more interesting. The sun was shining and everything was fine with the world. Then Mark's bike broke down! The gears wouldn't change properly. We stood around, muttered to ourselves, scratched our chins and then played with the bikes gears when it was on it's wheels and then put it upside down and did the same things to it again! Funnily enough putting it upside down didn't help! When the advice from various web sites we accessed got what we considered too technical - talking about derailleurs - we headed for Tiverton and the nearest bike shop! £5 and 10 minutes later we were on our way although there is some concern that the problem will recur again tomorrow.

The remaining miles were down some traditional Devon lanes - it's sounds really good saying Devon, it makes me feel like we are getting close! - which was lovely. We arrived in the village of Sandford which you would never find unless you were going there! Of course it was near the top of the hill but the village pub has some wonderfully appointed rooms - Kate Moss has stayed here apparently but there was no talcum powder in our bathroom! The early arrival meant we could relax a bit more before heading for the bar!

Now for the facts:

Stats for the day - 66 miles at an average speed of 14mph. Feet climbed 3,500 feet climbed.

Ale and Arse report - the Lamb has Otter which I have sampled before and Lighthouse. I have to say Lighthouse is the best I have tried on the whole trip and this does not bode well for tomorrow! For the bottom news there is not much to say, I seem to have found stability which is better than detioration! Tomorrow with loads of hills will be more of a test!

Forecast for tomorrow - if we continue to be lucky we will avoid the rain showers. We were not far from Glastonbury yesterday and this morning and they have had rain and we haven't so may our luck continue, especially as the family is coming down. I think they just want to check I'm riding the bike and not sitting in the Audi all day writing my blog! The ride to Wadebridge is a hilly one and so it's our last major test, well at least we hope so! May the force be with us!