Day 7: Moor Hills!

Appledore, Devon to Taunton, Somerset

76.46 miles

I think that I am becoming ever more able to split the days of cycling into sections and they follow something like this:

1. 5 miles to get the legs back into pedalling

2. 15 miles riding ‘high’ – enjoyable and surprisingly ‘in the zone’

3. 10 miles realising that I have not enough calories on board so trying to figure out a time to stop

4. 5 miles – good

5. 5 miles – bad

6. 5 miles – good

7. 5 miles – bad

8. Repeat to finish

Spliced in between these sections I have the ‘hill struggle’ and these get more and more as the day/s go on (although I’m sure you will not be surprised by this) – the more and more the struggles get, the slower and slower I become to the point where I am really not sure whether it would be quicker to walk!

Today followed that sort of pattern. The first 15 miles or so were actually brilliant, along a lovely stretch of the NCN called the Tarka Trail. It then, however, took me up onto Exmoor and blimey, did I ever know it! North or South, it seems that Devon doesn’t really mind – it loves it’s hills anywhere.

I do though need to say that on today’s cycle, I had one of the most amazing views that I have seen in a very long time and that will stay with me for many a year to come – brilliant and I was so happy to have a day when I could actually see the view as well!

I have also discovered three words that will strike fear into (or should if they don’t) any road-cyclist... Temporary Road Surface! A 3 mile climb with a surface that looked like a giant grater had been used on the road was interesting to say the least.

Arriving into Somerset was a brilliant feeling. I love Devon, I love Cornwall but have since determined that they don’t love me! Frankly I find it rude that they didn’t even attempt to flatten themselves out for me and I honestly think I am going to struggle to forgive them.

Here’s to heading back Eastwards and onwards with Cycle England.