Pauls Adventures • Day 6, Wednesday 28 May, 2014

Wed 28may 2014

Okehampton, Devon to Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset)

Dist :118km
Riding time: 6:32
Total time (including stops) : 9:15
Stops: 6
Climb meters up/down 1,332/1,512

At 18:00, I booked into a B&B at Burham-On-Sea. It's on a sea channel opposite Cardiff, and reminded me of St Kilda. I wouldn't swim in it. The plan was to go to Axbridge, near Cheddar, but it was time to stop.

I didn't do my planned km, due to two flat tires, and slower back roads.
One section of road near Uplowman was a tiny, one lane track with 3 metre hedgerows on each side. I had forced the GPS to take the road, as it was the shorter in km of the suggested route. Due to its slow avg speed, I could see why Mr Garmin thought it not the best option. It was an amazingly scenic ride, with about 2 cars for the 10 km, which took over an hour, so that impacted my daily km. It was a similar road used in movies before freeways.

From Devon to Somerset, the number of hills reduced, and my vertical climb was 1100 m less then yesterday, but still high enough. There are lots of farms and thatched roofed houses.

At Tiverton, I passed a private school called Blundell. It's buildings and grounds were amazing.

The daily routine seems to be at halfway by 14:00, so I need to get started earlier to get an afternoon rest.

Tomorrow, I go to Leominster via Severn Bridge. I booked accommodation on booking.com, as it gives a target and saves time at the end.

The second flat tire today was a brand new back tire when I picked up a 25mm nail. It put 2 holes in tube. Being out of all repair needs and with spare dodgy tubes, I found a bike shop and got new tubes, waterproof overboots(I forgot mine) and another puncture repair kit. It rained lightly most of the day and will be same tomorrow. Weather predictions are for clearing later in the week.