Off at about 7:15am, feeling a little sluggish but generally OK. Another misty/cloudy day with everything feeling damp. Is it a wonder that there is moss growing on everything?
Down and up, twice, and thrice down brought my the River Tamar after about 8 miles. Shout out to my former colleague Tamar, now head of the Smithsonian libraries.
Crossed the very full River Tamar at Horsebridge
The River Tamar also marked my first county transition: from Cornwall into Devon.
A slightly battered welcome to Devon
From the river a series of climbs led up to the western edge of Dartmoor. At the bottom of a little descent I was surprised to see a deep and narrow gorge (estimate 100 ft down from the bridge) – Lydford gorge. There is a National Trust property and walkways down in the gorge that I think would be fun. At a smidge over 18 miles I thought this was an auspicious time to snack.
Deep and narrow Lydford Gorge
No sooner had I got back on my bike and climbed out of the gorge I was in Lydford proper, complete with 12th century Lydford Castle and an inn offering breakfast.
Lydford Castle. Built circa 1195 and extended 1238, surrounded by earlier, Saxon earthworks
Oh! A nice looking inn offering breakfast!
Notwithstanding having just snacked it seemed foolish to pass up a breakfast opportunity, and I was tastily rewarded. This blog may turn into daily praise for the fry-up… if I’m lucky enough to keep finding them!
Superior “Full Devonshire” breakfast at the Castle Inn, Lydford
Shortly after leaving Lydford I joined a rail-trail called “The Granite Way” which offered easy cycling with views of Dartmoor.
The Granite Way rail-trail with Dartmoor as the skyline
The rail-trail included the impressive Meldon Viaduct near Okehampton.
Meldon Viaduct on The Granite Way
Roads continued at similar elevation for a while around the north of Dartmoor, then there were a series of glorious descents to Yeoford and Crediton. From there it was about 34 miles of mostly gently rolling terrain to the outskirts of Taunton. I stopped at a little store for snacks and to refill my water bottles but generally just toodled along. Somewhere I passed from Devon into Somerset but there wasn’t a sign so here is a random Somerset logo.
Into Somerset
I arrived in Bishop’s Hull on the outskirts of Taunton at about 3pm, a hour before I could check in. What to do with a spare hour?
A pint at the Old Inn, Bishop’s Hull
From there it was just a short ride to my B&B. Both I and my bike were very muddy from all the wet roads through farm country, so I spent some time cleaning and lubricating my bike before enjoying a shower myself.
Black shoes, black tights, though you might not know it
Much easier day than yesterday. About 80 miles with a couple extra poking about, 6,100 feet elevation gain and 6 hours in the saddle. Need to put in some miles tomorrow, the days get longer now.
