Le Camping

In preparation for the 2013 'tour', which will now include nights under canvas, I resolved to take S on practice camping excursions to idyllic spots in Cornwall where I could iron out any practical difficulties vis a vis 'survival in the wild'. So, having made a lightning raid on Go Outdoors and purchased the necessary equipment we loaded up the bikes and set forth to Siblyback lake near Minions, forgetting that, despite having had many a leisurely ride to Minions in the past, it does boast to be the highest point in Cornwall and the bikes were now fully loaded with the paraphernalia for a night under the stars, plus a litre of tetra-packed Spanish Red (weight saving measure). Nevertheless, got there ok and met the neighbours on the adjacent pitch who, having driven, had brought a camping table and four chairs . . . but no regulator for their gas cooker. So it was with great pride that the Trangia camping set was twice christened, once with Uncle Bens rapid cook rice, and second with a tasty veggie curry made by John and Debs from next door - two lessons learned, double check before you go, and you can cook a decent meal al fresco from scratch . . . camping virgins no longer.

The next excursion was more glamping than camping, given that we stayed with my folks in a 6 berth caravan complete with microwave, tv and fridge. Nevertheless, this still required transportation of sleeping bags and so forth, and we took the long route to Polzeath so S was contemplating rescue at Wadebridge - I convinced her otherwise after a fortifying cup of tea, however. This was the trip that took in the 'village that time forgot' described in the last post, but as an addendum to this the red wine at lunch turned out to be not such a good idea in the blistering heat as we rode back from Plusha on the (ironically) club TT route. Leaving this, and thence onto the Sun beaten A388 until the 'best tasting can of coke I ever had' at the petrol station in Hatt.

So, to today and deja vu . . . the sun is shining and temperatures topping 30; the camping gear Is out; once again to Polzeath; I cycle there in record time . . . and S takes the car.

Posted with Blogsy

Brigadoon

One of the great things about cycling is that you visit places that you would never normally see. The English countryside is packed full of picturesque villages in which time has seemingly stood still. It's not entirely true of course because there is no longer the local pub, shop, post office etc. . in most cases, and the original residents can no longer afford the price of the homes. But the semblance of timelessness remains, and it was this that presented itself as we rolled down the hill into Altarnun on the edge of Bodmin Moor last Sunday. An old-fashioned summer had finally arrived with high 20s heat to remind us of bike rides of our youth; the panniers were packed with Camambert-filled baguettes and red wine. Riding back from Polzeath we were on the lookout for a half-remembered bench from the outward leg, so passed many a likely lunchtime spot before descending the tree-hemmed lane into a tableau of village green betwixt church and bubbling brook, with a bench and shady tree as if by order.

S was hot so decided to recline under a shady tree

The old gravestones in the churchyard bore witness to the inhabitants who either died before 20 or lived into their 80s, almost none in-between . . . except those on the cenotaph.

I wonder if it really exists.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Dustman Dave's Doddle

S has instructed me to prominently display that she did 76 miles at a moving  average of 13 mph.

The second audax of the season saw us off to Bishop's Lydeard, near Taunton, for a spot of Somerset 'flat'. Now, if you are from down these parts then you will be familiar with the 'Wicker Man' which stands sentinel over the M5 motorway. It is, I think, but have no firm basis for this assumption, the equivalent of the 'Angel of the North' near Gateshead. Whatever the reason for it being there it's a better sight than the Morrisons distribution centre, and now I have firm evidence that this is not an isolated manifestation of the weavers art because, we were not 10 km down the road from the start when we stumbled across a wicker watering can, teacup and saucer.

Admittedly of dubious utility, and the cafe was shut so S had to make do with a dried date from the bottom of my saddlebag. At this point the sun was out and, at moments, a combination of sheltered lane and gap in the cloud could even pass for a much delayed spring day. The going was easy to the first control at Langport, where I regretfully passed up the chance of a bacon bap at the Potting Shed café in lieu of the promise of something more substantial at the next control. Alas my faith was not repaid. Now, I'm sure the Haynes Motor Museum is a great day out, I own a Haynes bike manual, and have previously owned an equivalent Ford Sierra book, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that these very tomes are published in the depths of Somerset, but the café was not cycling category A by any means. An uninspiring chicken mayo sarnie and machine cappucino was all to be had.
The return leg revealed yet more giant wicker-ware, this time an enormous bucket spotted in the distance, yet more evidence of a tribe of giant weaving folk.

The Potting Shed cafe was visited once more and S dragged me a way from the bacon buttie, professing the need to prevent muscles seizing up, beating the oncoming rain, not finishing last for once etc. etc. . . so I was forced to forego yet again. The last leg turned out to be 6 km more than the advertised distance, which doesn't sound much but is unwelcome at the end of 114 km! But we made it back as the first spots of rain began to fall, and tucked in to a welcome portion of beans on toast at the control - who needs energy bars.

Posted with Blogsy

Bespoked

Yesterday I went to the Bespoked handmade bike show at Bristol. There I saw some elegant and shiny machines, any of which I could have tucked in my back pocket and taken home. Here is one of my favourites . . .

S liked the bamboo bike; do not buy if you have a pet panda:

Maybe I should use this for the next club time trial

Posted with Blogsy