Deadman’s Cross to Exeter: Prologue

Set off from Launceston to drive to Exeter in a torrential downpour but had eased for the brief ride to the station. Met on the platform by a GWR staffer who arranged to have the front luggage  compartment unlocked since I was changing at Westbury – a better service than getting to Westbury and finding the cycle wagon is off the platform (as happened before). Gold star for GWR. ?   Continue reading “Deadman’s Cross to Exeter: Prologue”

Day 4 : Bristol to Compton Dundon

69.7km at a rolling average of 15.1km/hr. Left Bristol at 12:05 arrived at 17:45 Lower average speed owing to several walking bits where the Strawberry Line cycle path was closed for waterworks and where I found myself on a lumpy muddy clay footpath – thanks Ms Osm 🙁 . Weather some sunshine and very heavy showers.

Oh and yes I did actually have to get off and walk one very short very steep hill that I attacked wrong somewhere around Wedmore. Continue reading “Day 4 : Bristol to Compton Dundon”

Day 5 : Compton Dundon to Exeter

97.5km in 6hrs 29 mins in the saddle giving a rolling average of 15.0. Departed 09:15 and arrived back at the car 17:20 so 8hrs total. Weather basically grey and dry with occasional very light drizzle but never enough to even feel on the face.

Should have been a fairly straightforward long day but turned out the the section from Cullompton to Exeter had brutal never ending hills which knocked the average speed right back. Continue reading “Day 5 : Compton Dundon to Exeter”

Of Mapping, Routing, Paper & Screens

I have always loved maps and charts.  A good map is a gateway to a world of adventure and story. Maps have always meant paper; the way they fold and can be annotated. The way they can be laid out to show the whole territory and aligned to bearing and direction. Lines plotted and position found. The way you can zoom in to the area of interest and the finest detail.  Continue reading “Of Mapping, Routing, Paper & Screens”