With that kind of route forecast, it's really not worth attempting to ride with the aim of 125 (ish) miles per day - it simply won't happen. Meh.
However, I realised that if I were to do a little tour on road then I'm unlikely to encounter much unruly nature en route! Win...
I'd had a few ideas of what routes I'd like to tackle - something scenic, with the challenge of about 100+ miles a day to make it 'worthwhile'...
The West County Way is something I'd really like to do - it's about 250 miles so could be bashed out in 2 days. However, the trains were:
- Really expensive
- A complete faff
Then it dawned on me.. In fact, the idea had been spawned many years ago but I hadn't realised it!
It turns out that when finished it will cover over 360miles and is hailed as "A long distance cycle route which, when complete, will link Dover in Kent with St. Austell in Cornwall via the south coast of England."
Sounds perfect!
The basic plan is:
- Plymouth to Exmouth
- Exmouth to Bournemouth
- Bournemouth to Brightonmouth
If you are interested in a pile of 'stuff' becoming a bit more organised, here's a photographic idea of my kitlist for 3 nights and 3 full days of riding.
Here's the 'stuff' pile. Knives, fire making stuff, ti mugs, air bed, ninja spears (that double as pegs), chocolate..
Here's the 'bar bag' stuff - tarp, bivi bag, sleeping bag..
Here's a pile of clothes. I hope they're mine and not Bex's gym pants or something...
Here's a massive bottle. And a slightly smaller bottle. And a cap. The cap makes me look manly and not at all like a French Gay Icon...
And here it is as one big mess on the damp grass in the garden...
...and here we are, ready to strap it to the bike..
I'm still running with my DIY bar bag system - Maybe I'll ask Ray Perry if I can borrow his - it's a Wildcat too, and I may as well have matching stuff, eh!!!
I'll keep this site updated with the journey if and when I return!!