We set off with Kirby and I thought it might be another small group as no-one else joined us at the Quay to cycle out to Topsham - but Pauline caught up with us on the way and there was a good crowd in Topsham. From Topsham we cycled out past Dart's Farm, turned right onto the main road and then left to follow some lanes and I really couldn't tell you where we went from there!
Before we knew it, Roy had stopped everyone to say we were making good progress and suggested a detour to Lympstone before coffee. I was persuaded that this was a good idea and to begin with it was fine as it was mostly downhill, hoorah! The easy riding ended there though and I knew there would be a big hill back up to the garden centre. At the bottom of the hill Ant's chain came off, so I stopped to wait for him - which proved to be a big mistake. Ant was back up and going again in no time, but I got completely stuck! My saddle was higher this week than previously and I just couldn't get back on and get going up the hill. After several failed attempts, Kirby came back to rescue me and gave me a push to help me start off again. The hill was as bad as I'd expected and I was huffing and puffing my way up as the others were casually chatting away behind me. I really didn't think I'd make it to the top, but when I looked up and saw Roy directing people at the junction I dug in and eventually made it to the top. Just when I thought I'd done it, I heard the words 'just up there to the coffee stop' - did someone say up? Luckily it wasn't far at all and I could already see the entrance to the garden centre, thank goodness!
After my gleeful experiences of being full of beans at the last couple of coffee stops, I was back to my old tired self this week! I found a table in the shade and wolfed down my bread pudding (very very delicious!) and three cups of tea...after which I felt slightly sick! From the garden centre we set off up the hill again. Turning right and then coming to pull up at a junction on a hill I failed to get my feet down on the ground and crashed into Kirby who had pulled up alongside me, knocking him off his bike as well. This was a real low point for me, I felt tired and frustrated and most of all very silly. I pushed my bike across the road and then got back on again to join the rest of the group who were waiting just up ahead. Desperately trying to hold back the tears (but failing and being very grateful for my cycling glasses!) I pushed on and knew I just had to keep going. Luckily the next stretch of road was ok and I pottered along as Kirby started telling tales of other new cyclists who had caused crashes (I won't mention any names!) which made me feel slightly better!
The final stint into Sidmouth did involve a very large hill - which I'd heard several people say was a really tough one...oh dear! Getting into a low gear I tried to go slowly but surely as everyone else disappeared up in front of me (as always whenever we get to a hill!) Kirby was encouraging me to keep going, but even though I was weaving up the hill, I just ground to a halt and stepped (not fell!) off my bike. Just as I did so I looked up ahead and saw Pauline had just done the same - and just in front of her Anthoney was off his bike too. They'd both got further up than me, but at least I wasn't the only one who'd been beaten by the hill! Walking up the last bit of the hill to join the others, we took a short break to take in the views and we were now about to experience the complete opposite - a very steep downhill into Sidmouth. We stopped part way down to photograph the view, which was glorious - and then went on to join the others for lunch in Connaught Gardens. Our first lunch stop with the CTC and already well on our way to breaking our record, all we had to do now was make it back home! We had a lovely picnic lunch in the sunshine while a brass band set up on the stage in the park. Sadly it was time for us to leave just as they were starting to play...but we needed to keep pushing on with the miles.
Feeling better rested and well fed I was feeling quite bouyant as we rode down into Sidmouth and along the sea front. There were lots of people out enjoying the sunshine - it could almost have been mid summer, although if it was summer time it would have been raining! On the other side of town we came to the ford which was very clearly labelled 'Unsuitable for Cyclists' - I took that advice and went around the ford while the others plunged straight through it! I later found out Ant almost slipped and had to work hard to keep it together and come out the other side, so I'm glad I didn't try - with the kind of day I was having, I'm sure I would have come off my bike. As it was, I may have escaped one danger zone, but carelessly approached the entrance to the park as I was rushing to catch up with the group and crashed into the wall! Another completely unnecesary incident which added to my frustration - especially as I then struggled to get back on my high saddle again!
Fortunately that was the last major incident of the day for me! Heading out of Sidmouth we joined an off-road track. It was a rather steep downhill section at the start, so I walked down to a flatter section before attempting to get on my bike. Having just put road tyres on my bike, I wasn't too impressed! It was a very lumpy bumpy ride and I didn't enjoy that section at all, but fortunatley it didn't go on for too long and I was just glad to make it out the other side in one piece! After that the road seemed like a dream to ride on and my spirits lifted again. Roy suggested we carry on for afternoon tea at Escot and I was happy to go along. I had no idea where we were, how to get to Escot or how much longer this would make our journey - but who can turn down a nice cup of tea? Actually, I didn't have tea in the end - I opted for a nice cool glass of sparkling elderflower and a tub of toffee ice cream! It was very pleasant sitting out in the shade of the courtyard - apart from one moment when I thought a peacock was going to peck at me! The kids didn't have any such worries and started chasing after the peacock - not something I would recommend, but it least it took the peacock's attention away from me!
Despite going to Escot several times when I was younger, I still had no real concept of how far it was back home or how on earth to cycle there. As always, we were in good hands though and came back through Aylesbeare and Woodbury. I was feeling much happier now that we were on the home straight, but my energy levels did start to flag again and I knew I'd be glad to get back. Old Rydon Lane was a welcome sight - almost home - but also uphill! I'd only cycled it once before in the other direction - when it was a welcome downhill stretch after cycling up a hill! Although it's not particularly nasty, I was starting to feel really tired, my shoulders and back were starting to ache and I couldn't wait to get off my bike and not have to get back on again! I was delighted to get to the top as I knew it was all down hill and flat familiar territory from here to home. Hoorah!
Arriving back at the quay, Kirby gave us the final verdict - a record 48 miles! Congratulations to Roy for so perfectly fulfilling my wish to do more than 35 miles but less 50!! Thanks also to the rest of the riders on Sunday who so patiently kept stopping and waiting for us to catch up. Hopefully we'll be able to keep up one day!
On Sunday night I ached in all sorts of places and didn't feel up to doing anything! Monday wasn't as bad as I expected. My legs didn't really hurt, although they did feel very heavy. I was fine when I was standing up and fine when I was sitting down - it was just the transition between the two that was tricky! More than anything I was just really tired and I was ready for bed by 9:30pm!
So - that's it now. No more big rides until the Coast to Coast event - eek! Quite how I'm going to cope with camping after riding over 50 miles I really don't know! I needed all my home comforts on Sunday evening! More details about the event are available on my justgiving page - and if you'd like to sponsor us you can donate online- all the money will be going towards equipment for deaf students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme: http://www.justgiving.com/amandadenham1/
We will do a couple of shorter rides before the event - and I need to go out and find a quiet place to practice some basic skills - like being able to get on my bike!
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