packing….and the first 45 miles
Tuesday, August 8th, 2006http://www.gurneysjourneys.com/cycling_blog.htm
August 1st 2006
i just spent 245 quid in preparation for my much talked about cycling trip. As promised i am approaching the trip as a novice, scoring between zero and very little on the following: training, knowledge of bicycle maintenance, route planning, fancy cycling equipment. I did (within the 245) purchase paddded cycling shorts - which i am told are crucial, nappy rash cream, and camping gear.
Today’s mission was emptying the shopping bags and squeezing the contents into panniers and a handlebar bag. Due to my addiction to the internet, my laptop had to come, and in these crazy days of technology, various chargers and cables took up at least a 2 litres of the 45 available. When the packed bike fell over in the garden, i couldn’t pick it up again. Finally, with a few random items tied on the back, and a pile of culled items on the floor i was ready to go for a test drive, minus water. It could have been worse. The handling is dodgy, but possible, and my helmet looks utterly ridiculous.
August 2nd (Cycling Camelford to Dolton)
Today i set off. I cheated massively by getting driven the first ten miles, with the bike hanging out of the boot. I’m on holiday - if i’m offered a lift, i’m not fool enough to turn it down. I ended up going even further than planned in the car as it started raining.. i refused to get out until we had driven away from the clouds.
My first major error of the day was finding the fantastically signed cycle route, but going in the wrong direction for two miles. The moorland looked beautiful as i realised the hill was on the wrong side.
I think it is a sign of me being properly grown up that i can show myself in public dressed like this. All thoughts of style or not looking like a complete prune are flung out of the window when you put safety first and wear a cycle helmet - combined with lycra and my mexico (quick dry) football shirt. My sunglasses are fashion, but i can’t help thinking something with a yellow lense would actually look better with the rest of this get up.
The roads across Bodmin moor were stunning, sheep, a resevoir, so much space, and rocky outcrops in the distance. My first cattle grid was a bit of a disappointment. Honestly, everything is much more of a challenge when you have little thin tyres and twenty kilos hanging over your back wheel. There were two workman by the road, and the thought of sliding on the metal and crashing made me stop and walk the grid. What a chicken! I managed two properly after that, without an audience.
The other danger i face on the trip is wobbling into cars. My brilliant plan is to cycle near the middle of the road, then swerve over at the last minute to make sure i have room. But it only works when there is one car. If there are cars following each other then i swerve to the side start wobbling about near the hedge and have to hope that the other cars give me plenty of space. I’ve only been hooted at once - an uphill section where a bus overtook me. I did well to steer clear of the bus, but didn’t realise there was a car behind and slammed on the brakes inches before my front wheel hit the wing of his car. It all took place at low speeds, the really jumpy moments are on long straight B roads when a lorry (most of whom are very good) misjudges it and the wing mirror skims past your ear.
I picked up cycle route three again after cutting a corner to avoid Bude. The route follows a railway cutting into Holsworthy where i collapsed next to the church to eat lunch.
After a long break here it got hideous. Tiny white roads that dip along dark shady lanes to the river. The only thought as you are braking heavily and winding your way down is how steep the hill the other side could possibly be. When i collapsed in the hedge half way up a hill I attracted the attention of the farmer (the only people that ever use these roads). He jumped out of the cab of his combine harvester to check that i was alive and well.
A few miles of A roads later, and after nearly eight hours in the saddle i arrived in the cute village of Dolton with a costcutter and three pubs. Hooray. My average speed for the day (excluding lunch break) was 5 mph. I don’t think that’s very good.