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RR: Exmouth Exodus
Danny Colyer started his ride report for last year's Exmouth Exodus
"Well, that might have been fun on a warm, moonlit summer night. " And that's almost what we had last night. General impressions of the ride: cloudy at the start, disappearing to leave a bit of a sunset; then the moon in view for several hours - low in the sky, so a friendly presence rather than a source of light; a couple of hours of complete darkness, nearly getting lost in the Somerset lanes; dawn, mist rising from the fields; at the end, classic seaside with blue skies, sandy beaches and sun warm enough to sit in. Only bit of Danny's description missing was "warm" - I got seriously cold in the early hours and would have liked winter gloves, but it was warm last year, and that didn't really help. At the pre-start ride I met up with Neil, who I ended up riding with last year (along with Ron, who has given up this sort of riding because knee problems). We rode together to the end, joining up with others from time to time. First stretch to Burrington Combe taken at a fairly fast pace, average maybe 16 mph. The climb slowed every one down, but I didn't see anyone walking. Then the descent of Cheddar Gorge. Neil is a good fast descender. I'm a bit more nervous, there are a few steep sharp bends that are difficult to assess in the dark. Having ridden it a second time, I'm amazed there weren't more incidents in the wet last year (I think there was one). Cafe stop at around 30 miles just above the town of Cheddar then on across the Somerset levels to the halfway food stop, again a fairly brisk pace. At one point a large pack built up, then someone braked at the front for no obvious reason, and the pack almost came to a halt - bit like driving on the M25 at a busy time. Met a couple of Stewartry Wheelers at the halfway stop, Simon Brooke's club. After the food stop, on through the foothills to Blagdon Hill. A badger suddenly appeared in front of the rider next to me, he managed to avoid it. On seeing something black and white on the ground, Neil behind initially thought someone had dropped something and was braking to pick it up, then went into the hedge avoiding the badger. No harm done. Long climb up Blagdon Hill, the hairpin is a killer if you don't take it wide. Last year it was full daylight when we were doing this, today dawn was breaking as we got to the top. Once on top, a long run across Luppitt Common. This was the worst bit for me last year, rotten slow road surface, and 800' up, straight into a strong headwind. This year the road had been resurfaced and no wind, bliss. A group that looked like a road club came past Neil and me in fine style and I expected them to disappear into the distance. Then they formed a pack and went slower than we'd been going. We put up with this for a while, then when they hesitated at a junction, went past them and with a bit of team work stayed ahead of them for several miles, partly for fun, and partly to get to the tea stop before them so we didn't have to queue. After the tea stop a long descent on a poor surface. I was feeling seriously cold. Then a lovely stretch to Ottery St Mary with mist on the meadows and the sun shining. New route from Ottery St Mary, down the river valley instead of a direct ascent to Woodbury Common, which I found soul destroying last year - alternating hills I was too tired for and flat bits with a headwind. The new route is much better, the valley is lovely, and the climb to the Common done in one go, through woods with dappled sunlight. The official new route crosses the ridge and descends through Exmouth suburbia on the route Ron, Neil and I accidentally took last year. Neil and I opted to turn left and take the route we should have taken last year, much nicer, rural until a few hundred yards from the cafe. I feel part of the tradition of a long ride to the seaside should be a quick dip in the sea. After a bit of hesitation I did and it was... very refreshing... but I warmed up quickly in the sun and felt better for it. Ride catering excellent: tea and coffee at 30 and 75 miles, pasta for £2 in a cricket pavillion at 55 miles. Stats: 104 miles at around 13.5 mph (cf IIRC 10.5 mph last year); around 9.5 hours elapsed, cf IIRC over 11 hours last year. I reckon the wind made last year's ride feel about 20 - 30 miles longer. I was shattered last year, it took a couple of days to get back to normal. Today my knees feel a bit stressed and it's nice to sit on something other than a saddle, but apart from that nearly I'm OK, with only slight effects of missing a night's sleep. Apart from the wind, the other difference for me was managing my nutrition much better - my cheese & onion flapjacks were what I needed. One tandem on the ride, which disappointed me - there hasn't been a tandem before, and I wanted to be the first one, but my stoker wasn't keen. To anyone thinking of doing it next year, I recommend it, it's a good fun ride with lots of variety. Logistics with a bit of planning really not that difficult - good train services at both ends. Rob |
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RR: Exmouth Exodus
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RR: Exmouth Exodus
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RR: Exmouth Exodus
On Jun 18, 7:25*pm, Alison wrote:
wrote: . Met a couple of Stewartry Wheelers at the halfway stop, Simon Brooke's club. Nice report Rob, the two stewartry wheelers were myself and my big brother Jim, we hope to bring Simon with us next year, see you in North Curry, 2009 Wingnut, aka Andrew Read your excellent report on the EE forum. It extends the pleasure of the ride reading the various reports. Though mine was written after two hours sleep, reading it again makes me what to edit it. Minor correction: two tandems started, one had a rear rim failure (pothole). They pressed on a long way, but packed 10 miles from Exmouth. The excellent Chuffy had spare wheels in two different sizes in the van, but forgot to put one in for a tandem. Last year I was doubtful whether I'd do it again immediately after the event, but after a few months was looking forward to it. It wasn't a ride with big highlights for me, just thoroughly enjoyable throughout. It's slight quirkiness suits me better than other types of riding. So yes, I'll probably see you (and Simon) in North Curry next year. Rob |
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RR: Exmouth Exodus
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