Metrics | Daily Total | Cumulative Total |
Distance | 207.52km | 371.7 |
Ascent | 2384 | 4532m |
Riding Time | 9h 06m 4 | 16h 0m 2 |
Calories Burned | 6781 | 12398 |
Other Daily Stats You May Be Interested In
Average Speed: 22.8km/h
Max Speed: 80.3km/h
Average Power: 147watts
Max Power: 618watts
Average Cadence: 76rpm
Max Heart Rate: 136bpm
What a day, what a very long day. Second day of a headwind, my longest day in the challenge, and the day with the most climbing in it. Needless to say I was shattered by the time I got into the hotel yesterday evening, thus no blog. Apologies.
Coming out of Plymouth, as you can see from the profile above, it was just climbing...for the first 30km up into Dartmoor. Legs were a little tired from day 1, but not too bad, although this was certainly a test. I will admit, I did take the extra stop here and there, but too be honest, it is a beautiful area so who wouldn't.
It was a very overcast day, a couple of light showers and that was it, just that damn headwind. Heading up to near the highest point on the ride, I hit rush hour in Dartmoor.
Of course, I had to stop and take a picture or seven, but there was one stand out. Was it his horns, maybe, perhaps it is the dual strands of drool? Perhaps, but it would have to be the fringe - he was described very accurately as a rockstar.
Was very slow going in the morning, but 1500m of climbing completed within the first 100km, I hoped the tough bit was out of the way and just got my head down to work through a couple of hours. Exeter came and went, as did Taunton, as I ground through the middle section of the ride. Then I remembered...Cheddar Gorge. Ouch. Don't get me wrong, a beautiful place and must go back there without a bike, as would love to explore the area, but when you are already 150km deep into a ride, and already climbed over 2000m...it doesn't tickle.
So at nearly 7pm, and 7000 calories later, I rolled into Bristol to the Future Inn - I have booked these hotels (there is one in Plymouth and Cardiff, and have stayed at all three) as they are bike friendly and let you take the bike up to the room with you, as do the Premier Inn. The nice young man (I sound old) on reception said I looked a little tired, and then upgraded me to a bigger room (I had booked the smallest room apparently), he checked which rooms had new beds in them, and gave me the key - that is great service.
Eat now, for tomorrow I ride.
Wow Matt, 7,000 calories in one day, that is beyond impressive!!! I'm enjoying following your journey and keep the photos coming, the image of the rock star highland cattle is stunning!!!!
Love the Highland Cattle! Very photogenic 😊 hope there are some downhills ahead