This was another long day in the saddle. 

Oakhampton Bike –  the chap working there said they sold more electric bikes than regular this summer, first time ever. They had a great pump, faster to top up than with a little hand pump (although our travel pump is great)

Lots of positive energy. Had a great night’s sleep, was able to power up some pretty steep inclines. 

Tiverton was bleh. My least favorite place so far. Most people were nice, but there was a rough element to some folks and they were either rude or standoffish. Maybe it’s anti-biker thing, with so many passing through their town. 

We ended up on a crazy path, down fairly steep at times and very rocky and muddy. More of a horse trail and only used by local farmers on ATVs, tractors, or horses. Grace was in high spirits through it all. A couple of times I had us stop and get off and walk the bikes down a ways. Would be sad to wipe out on slippery rocks back on some route no one ever uses. We’re likely the only ones that have used it this month, maybe longer. 

Lot’s of hill climbing, but some nice long stretches across the spine of the hills. Views above the hedgerow was nice. But the hedge is always compose of blackberries and stinging nettle. For a plant that doesn’t want to be touched, you’d think it wouldn’t extend itself so far into the road all the time. 

Finished the ride alongside a canal for more than a dozen miles. When it ended, we liked it so much, we crossed a bridge to the other side and opened a gate to go the road less traveled. (A running theme on our tours). The Wahoo Elemnt kept beeping we were off track, and eventually the path ran out of trail. Fortunately there was a way we could go to connect up to the planned trail. Unfortunately it was up a considerably steep hill. (The thing with grades, you can take on some amazingly steep ascents with your light carbon bike, but add a 32 lb bike and 45 lbs of gear anything above grade 8 is extremely tough and when you hit double digits you don’t want to risk damaging your muscles with many days left ahead on the tour. 

Cows on the canal bridge. 

Catch 22

I like talking with Grace as we ride. When climbing hills it’s easier for me to match my pace to hers than vice versa. But with these narrow roads and high hedgerows, visibility is sometimes very limited. I want to take point to assure no harm comes to Grace. I also have an eye on the route plan as displayed on the bike computer (or phone). So sometimes I end up out in front and we’re both in the zone, doing what it takes to get our touring rigs through these hills. Today was one of those days, and I as we sit here together at the end of the day, I realize I really missed her today.

I asked her about this. 

She agreed. There were times today she was zoned out, kind of a meditative day, working really hard, but in a good way. 

My left wrist hurts. Will have to keep an eye on that. 

Saw pretty pheasant fly out in front of us, also his mate, and the canal was full of ducks. And a couple of places had a large gathering of Swans, white and black ones. 

We met the vicar of Dibley today. Really nice gent, is vicar for four parishes in the area. Main one is North Taunton. 

Nice little cafe “Church Street Store and Cafe”

Also met an old man that started his conversation with us, “No, no, no, no, no, well I’m visiting my daughter who lives over there” Funny, because the vicar we spoke with half an hour earlier told us the guy that said, “No, no, no, no, no parking on the upper field” has been to the North Taunton church (where we were at when speaking with said vicar). And the Vicar baptized the actor’s niece and nephew.

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10:09 PM

We did give him one of our cards and he said he would come stay with us and bring his kids.

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10:10 PM

Also shared the redwoods vs fir trees analogy, and how our family is a circle of redwoods. (as all families should be) no matter how tough the storms are, of how much you’re leaning, we got you held fast, you won’t fall.  He liked it, said he would use it.

10:11 PM

He was telling us about the great Yew tree that’s on the churches property, and about 30 feet from us. It was mighty.

10:12 PM

Sylvia Plath wrote her famous poem, “The Yew Tree” and it was about this tree. Sylvia lived down the lane.

10:13 PM

The vicar also works at four different churches. A couple of them have services ever Sunday, and the  other two take turns.

We are in Oake, which is the middle of nowhere, but we have a fine place to sleep. Lot’s of sunshine and hills today, so nice day to be outdoors, and a great day of climbing. 3700 feet. 52 miles. Saw lots of animals and spoke with plenty of people. As we crest hills now the land off in the distance gets flatter with each day. It’s a good sign. I’m behind on the photo blogging, hopefully tomorrow we will get into the hotel earlier and can catch up.