Day 2 - Goonhavern to Dolton

Tuesday 3rd August


Distance - 82.19 miles (overall 122.41 miles)
Max Speed - 37.8mph
Time on bike - 6h 17m 49s

Average - 13 mph

The Prolonged Punch In The Face

Woke up at 08:00 am and started our morning routine, we noticed a lot of dew on the inners of our tents so tried to dry them out as much as possible. Ripped the panniers trying to pack our sleeping bags away, wasn't a biggy though as our dry covers which cover the whole panniers kept everything nice and tight. Cooked a breakfast of bacon rolls and scrambled eggs, boiled eggs and eventually eggy tea on our small gas stove. Not the most desirable but we were starving so it tasted awesome. We managed to fill our water bottles up to keep us going. We both felt good as this was our first proper day, but both agreed our morning routine needs improving.

A typical example of our bacon rolls,  notice the vast amount of brown sauce we had

We were on the road at 11:15am, felt good being back on the bike. Started off on a nice slow mellow pace to try and find a good pace instead of burning ourselves out. We saw Newquay in the distance but also rain and lots of it. Seeing this rain in the distance, for example, bother us much more when we are not on the bike thinking ahead, however on the bike it never seemed to phase us. We had a mentality of, no matter whats happenin rain, wind, as longs as were cycling were making progress, slowly getting closer to our goal.. As we were nearing Newquay the traffic and rain was increasing, while the pace and visibility were decreasing. We never actually entered Newquay, just bypassed it but the traffic was crazy almost a stand still. The sense of pleasure cycling past all the cars stuck in traffic with their depressed, road rage fueled drivers overtook the fact it was wet, windy and visibility was becoming increasingly poor.

Although the weather was bad, our hopes were still high and cycling along at a good pace. We kept on going through the rain until Wadebridge where we stopped for some water and a quick 5 minute munch. During our stop the rain stopped and the sun came out which was a joy. A few kitted out cyclists road past where we stopped including two people on a tandem bike. Back on the road we came across this short but steep downhill almost straight away, I tried to use the hill to my advantage by not pedaling, but Logan was in front trying to get as fast as possible and shot off. I hadn’t yet built up the courage to go that fast yet – fearty! I reached 36mph, and Logan over 40mph.

Just at the bottom of the hill the road turned into a bridge and while checking out the views I heard another dreaded 'bang'. It was a different kind of bang this time, I immediately thought I snapped a spoke, thankfully it was just another puncture. There was no way of telling Logan as he was way in front. I came of the bike and pushed my bike around half a mile to the end of the bridge, I saw Logan cycling back where he met me. He said "a few people were waving and shouting at me as they drove past, but I just waved back stoked thinking they were egging us on, then I thought where’s Chris?" New tyre and tube fitted and back on the road. Half an hour wasted but stoked on the new tyre as it was blue.

Old tyre on right, new blue tyre on left

Almost straight away I felt as though I was struggling. I put it down to all the distractions we had so cycled on to try and find a rhythm. A few miles more I wasn't feeling any better, by this time I was freaking out in my head and Logan seemed to be holding a good pace while I couldn't seem to find a recovery, just a constant battle. I don't know if I was ashamed to admit defeat or what but as Logan was racing I couldn't admit to him I was struggling. A few more miles on I was starting to burn myself out, my legs like they were on fire, left knee was killing and I thought that was it, Ive reached my mental and physical peak, this challenge is to big for me what was I thinking? What will I tell every one? I will have to go home ashamed and huff for years. After 10 miles I had to stop, thinking my jacket was acting as wind break, I knew this was stupid but I was clutching at straws. Once we were stopped Logan was giving my back wheel funny looks and said "Chris, lift up the back of your bike". On doing so he tried to move my back wheel, it wouldn't move, the back break was locked on, and had been for 10 miles! The sense of relief was immense, it all made sense. I couldn't believe it, the only comparison I could think of was a prolonged punch in the face, awaiting the release of the fist from the face that never came.

Back on the bike, the difference in cycling was instant, I could stop pedaling and roll which was now a luxury to me instead of a given. The going was really good after although I was still recovering. We cycled another 10 miles into Bude, I was looking forward to this and told Logan how amazing this place was, after bigging this place up so much we arrived and it was raining. Cycling around trying to find a beach cafe the rain cleared but was still a bit dull, really happy to see the beaches still full, as they should be. At 04:45pm we stopped at cafe called Morwenna Cafe Bar, where we quickly scoffed a Hawaiian burger, 2 Pepsi's and a coffee each. Quick visit to Holland & Barrat and back on the road again at 06:15pm we quickly found a rhythm and pace and was averaging 25-30 mph all the way to Hatherleigh which was amazing. The weather also stayed on our side making this 20 mile stretch one of the most enjoyable so far. On the way we passed our first county sign, we entered Devon. We arrived at 08:00pm and a quick google maps check discovered a camp site 7.4 miles to the North in Dolton. These 7.4 miles would turn out to be the most challenging terrain of the day, except the prolonged punch in the face of course. We tried to maintain a good pace as we knew we were losing daylight hours so we nipped on, despite the crazy hills. We arrived an hour later at the Royal Oak Caravan Park in Dolton. Tents up, and a visit to the Royal Oak bar before closing where we had an hour to relax, this hour of relaxing at the end of each day was more important than we realised as it was the only time of the day where there was nothing to do, time to unwind and clear our heads.

Trying to look as gangsta as possible, the cycle shorts never helped

Hatherleigh, just before the hardest 7 miles of the day

Had no signal to phone home but all in all a good day, a few minor issues, Logan had difficulty changing gears and he developed heel blisters. A few blister plaster (thanks Kerrie) and he was fine. My left knee was playing up a bit, a few ibuprofen and a compression bandage over night (thanks Kerrie) did the trick. Both of us were showing signs on sunburn also.

Went to sleep instantly having complete our first proper day, felt like this becoming more routine. Looking forward to tomorrow.