Day 3 of the ride can be described in one word.....WET!
Yes it rained for most of the ride today and all of us were soaked through to our skin despite having waterproof jackets, overshoes and all manner of clothing to keep the rain out.
We started at about 8.30am in Tavistock which is a really lovely village situated in the valley. The first climb out of Tavistock was a 10km climb with the Garmin telling me that we had gradients of 12% for most of the way. As we climbed up towards Dartmoor the weather turned very wet and cold for the downhills (later).
The trip across the moors was interesting with sheep and horses grazing, We saw a group of soldiers who were doing a 20mile hike in the day...good luck to them!
After the moors the ride was through some undulating countryside BUT there were some short/sharp climbs out of the towns with several of them being around 18%.
We passed through a lot of dairy country which I guess is normal for Devon for the cream for Devonshire Tea. Our morning tea was at a café just out of Whiddon Down where several of the group recovered with tea and scones ( so did I) and some warmth. One of our group (Walt) spent most of his time in the gents trying to dry his riding shirt using the hand dryers...it seemed to work for him even though he had 45kms still to travel....
Chrisand I decided from this point we would "go for the finish" rather than have lunch. Resting for lunch then getting back on the bike being stiff and wet was not a good option.
We made really good progress to Sampford Peverell but were held up helping Walt's wife with a punctured tyre (in true ANZAC spirit Chris and I performed the task with distinction) and to allow a herd of cows to make their way along the road to get to the milking shed.
Along the way we saw a number of the stately homes. It was too wet and cold to take photo's sorry!
We arrived at our destination at about 4.30 pm looking like "drowned rats" but after a warm shower, some food ( lasagne) and a couple of beers I fell much better.
We climbed 1387metres which was a lot less than yesterday but it was a harder day in many respects.
Tomorrow the weather forecast is for fine sunny weather...I hope so!
Out on the Moors...
Cold and wet!!
The cows being herded in for milking
All very well for the Cows...we were bloody cold!
...and again those cows
Note part of the manor housing in the background.
At the end of the ride...one drowned rat!!!
Home for the night...warm and dry again to fight another day
Tucking in to dinner.....Chris has his back to the camera on the right
An English Summer ??? . Melb . 1 degree
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