September 7, 2011, by Andrew Burden
The VC’s blog: JoGLE Day 12: Shepton Mallett to Exeter
I have posted an additional photo today. Some younger readers are probably wondering whether a penny farthing is a new super fast road bike, made of ultra light composites. No, it is not. In fact it is an ancestor of today’s road bikes. A photo of the very one which zipped past Chris J shows its aerodynamic properties to the full.
This morning we set off from Shepton Mallett in a 3-2-6 formation. First out were Chris R, Alan and David W, followed by Neville and Steve. I set out with Nick, Karen, Kate, Andy and Chris J and we were waved off by Susan, who was taking some time out in Bath.
Eight or so miles into the ride we were greeted by Kate’s Dad at Glastonbury Tor. He lives locally and it was very nice that he took time to cheer us on.
The weather forecast promised it would be grim, and conditions did not disappoint. We faced a persistent and strong headwind, with powerful gusts, occasionally complemented with driving rain. At least it was pretty flat for the first half of the ride as we crossed the Somerset Levels.
We cycled for 30 miles before taking a break for lunch in Taunton. Lisa’s Café served excellent home made lasagne, which set us up nicely for crossing the Blackdown Hills.
Taunton’s toilet facilities posed a bit of a problem, the door did not lock. Kate stood guard and as you can see from the photo, did so very effectively. In fact, so effectively that some team members believe she must have a part-time job somewhere as a bouncer.
Beyond Taunton, we more or less tracked the M5. There was quite a lot of up and down for the remainder of the ride. However, despite the headwind it was not as arduous as the Cotswolds and Mendips yesterday. We took a second stop at ‘The Old Well’ tea shop just before Willand. Very good cakes (Andy had three) and excellent tea.
The front two of the first group rode through without a break. Since it was a fairly straight route Alan did not get lost today and was in Exeter by 1400, even earlier than Chris R shortly. My group was last in at 1650.
It was good to be in a bit earlier and get an extra hour or so at the end of the day. It is amazing how little down time there is and the calls on that time: washing and drying our kit; preparing for the next day; eating; scanning emails and so on.
Tonight we are staying at Holland Hall at the University of Exeter, which we organised through my counterpart, Sir Steve Smith. It is about as high as you can get on Exeter’s campus, which means fine views. It also meant today’s ride had a real sting in the tail; it was quite a climb from the valley.
Today we rode for 65 miles, bringing our cumulative total to 890 miles. Everyone is expecting tomorrow to be our toughest day due to the combination of distance, persistent climbing and forecast headwinds. I can’t imagine it being tougher than day 3, but we shall see.
Good wins for England and Scotland tonight, though the real action was at the table football, where Ed and I thumped Simon and Paul.
David Greenaway
September 6th 2011
890 miles I’m so impressed – good luck for tomorrow everyone and lets hope the weather is kinder than today. Fx
Thinking of you all today – having seen the forecast, it is going to be tough, but once you’ve got through today you’re almost there. And then lets hope for a nice day on Thursday for that final leg!
All, I hope today isn’t too bad. A picture in today’s Guardian showed a life guard at Bournemouth trying to put his flag up on the beach yesterday – the wind was so strong the pole was virtually horizontal. It gave me some idea of what you guys were riding against yesterday. Good luck over the next couple of days- the forecast for Lands End tomorrow suggests that the sun may break through the clouds just as you cross the finishing line.
More headwinds, incredible. At least you won’t have the 5 hour Exeter traffic jams we used to endure when Pop was driving us to Redruth!! I remember ice cream sellers actually walking through the stationery traffic.
I hope the penultimate day goes without a hitch.
Well done everyone. Keep going, you’re almost there. Best of luck for the last two days.
An interesting fact (although not in Dan’s league I’m afraid): ‘Moves like Jagger’ is currently top of the download chart! Definitely one for the play-list at your post-ride party!
Julie 🙂
Glad you’re enjoying the delights of the south-west – I grew up in Bridport, not so far away from the leg you’ve just completed. Enjoy the views in Devon and Cornwall.
Just two days to go. Keep on keeping on!
Kate may have had experience with one of the toilets at West Bridgford, which looks to be a similar design, and has a similar problem, as I discovered, to my embarrassment, yesterday.
The end in sight (over the hills and (too) far away! Well done all.
Not long now! Good luck for tomorrow and enjoy tomorrow evening knowing you will be going home on friday on a nicer seat than you’ve been sat on for the last 2 weeks!!
Sam x
You are almost there, and we are all so proud!
I can’t wait to be an official member of team
greenaway in a week!! I have donated my premium
bonds winnings, towards a very worthy cause!
Georgina
xxx
Fabulous that all 11 of you are all set for the last day tomorrow. Enjoy it all.
Julie
Still no visual confirmation that Malaysia’s Finest isnt languishing in the cells somewhere for persistent traffic offences – but nonetheless looking forward to him planting the UNMC flag on Cornish soil, nonetheless. Semenyih Expects, Neville! Merdeka!
And well done to the supporting riders, too.
Good luck for the last leg of the journey and sorry to see the weather has turned on you. Interestingly Jogle represents the equivalent (in terms of distance) of cycling up and down Everest 80 times. I imagine it maybe feels like it too with some of the hills, but hopefully that helps put into perspective what a great achievement it is.
I hope you get the chance to have a celebratory beverage in the ‘first and last inn’ at Land’s End, which is allegedly haunted.
Dan
Well, nearly there! What will you do with all the coming time on your hands?!!! So proud of all you have achieved. We knew today and tomorrow would be a challenge yet everyone’s capacity to cope was never in doubt. I’ll be waiting to record the final leg and pop the champagne at the crossing line. Fingers crossed for fairer weather. Love Susan X
Dad, nearly there, so proud of you and the team, it’s such an incredible acheivement, fingers crossed for some forgiving winds for the final stint and hope you all enjoy the last leg of this amazing journey, look forward to seeing you soon, all the best to everyone, love stuart