Skip to main content

Shall we stick with cooking ? PG again



 I think its fair to say that the riders were all "cooking" on gas today in fairly filthy conditions. There was a monster climb to challenge all the riders with a corresponding hairy steep decent with a very greasy pot holed surface to navigate. The riders had just been fuelled up at a lovely coffee stop with Tishy (Jonathan  Christies sister) who lives at Blagdon Hill. I did urge the riders on as the weather was due to break and getting miles banked before the rain came would be a dividend. Lunch break at Cullompton was probably the most well earned stop of the trip, Carb loading was intense before the final afternoon session and the chefs in the Steamer kitchen did not disappoint ! Wind in their face and squalls of rain buffeted the riders but they dug in to the task and the outskirts of Exeter beckoned. Then the stress started as we couldn't follow the riders due to pedestrian bus and bike only routing. We did eventually get parked up and the day was done. Some people take parking close to the hotel a bit extreme. Fab support from friends and family. Did I mention we went through Craddock - it reminds me of a joke - what is the difference between a cross country run and Fanny Craddock ? (she was a celebrity chef from a few years back) .......... one is a pant in the country and the other is ...... oooops PG warning.  Time for a well owned beer I think. Here are a few photos from the day. Keep reading and I look forward on reporting on day 6 which maybe a bit late to press. 





The strava king made easy work of the big climb ! 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What three words !

 Its a funny thing about discussing technology with the youth and saying how the jump from buying your trainline ticket or Ryan Air flight but printing out the hard copy ticket or boarding card eventually goes to "ooh lets risk it and take a chance on the phone". Then you get power anxiety and buy a battery booster pack,   Today we have walked to the very end of the Lands End cliff and then had a quick dunk (note not swim) in the clear blue cold jelly fish and seaweed infested bay. (The nerve receptors to the crown jewels screamed in protest and decided a retreat was required).  A few pints of cider sat in sunshine with the stragglers and the mood lifted. Then came the Clarkson bombshell from one of the gathered ...... have I mentioned about putting "bum - shit - bastard" into the what three words app for my location ? and then told it doesn't quite work like that. Once the person annon had been alerted to the principle and gone "ok got it its brilliant...

And we are Good to GO !!! what a send off from Ufford

 Well the sun was shining and the turnout was fantastic for what turned out to be a carnival of friends and family wishing the cyclist "bon voyage" ! a squad of the boys school mates and a few more experienced seasoned cyclists (older) all put their lyrca and fancy tops on and escorted Nick to start the epic route to Saffron Walden which was our first stop. (Compliments to the Strava team - fab route). Major drama with minutes to go being the silly van man put the flashing lights on the van roof and put the van key on the roof at the same time. Where was the key ? omg what a drama queen - having had a minor paddy everybody helped look and a very kind person pointed out they were on the roof ! phew....  Polly called "order order" and then with a few short speeches delivered the claxon sounded and leg one set off  at a sparkling pace. Thank you for the kindness of the big box of fruit and cookies from well wishers.  Supporters on the roadside some who we missed with t...

Time to saddle up and meet Old Chums for a ride ! (PG18)

 Today seems to be a blur - having been quite late to bed and awake early it made for a long day. Nick was creamed up by Jill (sunny morning) and ready for action and a long day in the saddle with an old school chum (Ian) from 45 years ago. Meanwhile vices for the van man man seemed irresistible and we are not talking about a cheeky red but proper van envy as a chap in the car park gave me the full tour of his VW interior. Zoom in and see the blue Record Fitters vice.,,,, oooh nice. van porn to get very hot over.  The horse was a particular morning hi-light and I knew that lunch was likely to be a bit dis-appointing post yesterdays extravaganza and yes my goats cheese and garlic quiche was lovely but not what us van drivers yearn for.  Some serious miles under the belt and well done the riders because it definitely wasn't flat and some car drivers were just outrageous. The weather forecast for tomorrow is not great so it maybe a very early kick off. Below are a few snaps ...