LEJOG Cyle 2008 - Daily Diary Day 2

DAY 2
Camelford to Taunton

the plan:

The second of the predicted 'worst two days' of the trip, cycling out of Cornwall into Devon, through Launceston to Okehampton, on to Crediton and finally into Somerset and our final destination Taunton. Plenty of hills!

the reality:

The plan was lots of hills, but probably would have been nicer without the constant rain. The rain wasn't due until late in the day, but unfortunately arrived at mile 25 and stuck with us for the rest of the 70 miles. It was a pretty long day, with lots of hills, and a fair few undulations in between, but everyone coped really well with it all - although needless to say we were very relieved to arrive at our hotel in Taunton. Fortunately tonight was a change from caravan parks and youth hostels, and nice hotel rooms with great showers and radiators to dry our stuff greeted us! Amazing how much happier everyone was by the time we'd had showers and got into dry clothes.

Distance travelled: 95 miles (cumulative 180 miles)
Total time taken: 10 hours 02 minutes
Cumulative time taken: 17 hours 59 minutes
Ride Time: 7 hours 14 minutes
Day Leader: Nick

Number of punctures: 3

Number of (proper) hills: 24 - including the (LEJOG'08 team named) 'hill of death' up from Bradninch (around mile 70)

Achievement of the day: (almost) everyone's longest ride ever

Quote of the day: "He's going, he's going. He's gone" - Tom as he fell (very gently) sideways into the hedge going up a very slippery hill when he had no grip on his tyres

Highlights of the day: the site of Juanita and Camilla waving to us from the side of the road at our tea and lunch break stops (why anyone would want to do this without a support vehicle is totally mystifying to us all after 2 days of being fantastically looked after!)

Day 2 Leader's Award: to Tom - a little bit for falling off, but - in Tom's words - for being possibly the finest cycling talent the country has ever seen

Thank you of the day: to Camilla, who has been an absolutely fantastic support driver for the first two days of the trip, and has now handed over the role to Jean. Thanks Camilla!

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	DAY 2 Camelford to Taunton the plan: The second of the predicted 'worst two days' of the trip, cycling out of Cornwall into Devon, through Launceston to Okehampton, on to Crediton and finally into Somerset and our final destination Taunton. Plenty of hills! the reality: The plan was lots of hills, but probably would have been nicer without the constant rain. The rain wasn't due until late in the day, but unfortunately arrived at mile 25 and stuck with us for the rest of the 70 miles. It was a pretty long day, with lots of hills, and a fair few undulations in between, but everyone coped really well with it all - although needless to say we were very relieved to arrive at our hotel in Taunton. Fortunately tonight was a change from caravan parks and youth hostels, and nice hotel rooms with great showers and radiators to dry our stuff greeted us! Amazing how much happier everyone was by the time we'd had showers and got into dry clothes. Distance travelled: 95 miles (cumulative 180 miles) Total time taken: 10 hours 02 minutes Cumulative time taken: 17 hours 59 minutes Ride Time: 7 hours 14 minutes Day Leader: Nick Number of punctures: 3 Number of (proper) hills: 24 - including the (LEJOG'08 team named) 'hill of death' up from Bradninch (around mile 70) Achievement of the day: (almost) everyone's longest ride ever Quote of the day: "He's going, he's going. He's gone" - Tom as he fell (very gently) sideways into the hedge going up a very slippery hill when he had no grip on his tyres Highlights of the day: the site of Juanita and Camilla waving to us from the side of the road at our tea and lunch break stops (why anyone would want to do this without a support vehicle is totally mystifying to us all after 2 days of being fantastically looked after!) Day 2 Leader's Award: to Tom - a little bit for falling off, but - in Tom's words - for being possibly the finest cycling talent the country has ever seen Thank you of the day: to Camilla, who has been an absolutely fantastic support driver for the first two days of the trip, and has now handed over the role to Jean. Thanks Camilla! back to daily diary index