Daily Stats
Distance 85 kms
Time 5 hours 22 mins
Speed 15.8kph
Elevation 2076m
6.15 we woke and started to move about, Brett had tea and porridge I cooked my porridge. Then the packup process began. The field by the pub we camped in cost us nothing but a drink. The dew was thick on the ground and the condensation all over the inside of my tent. We packed and repacked and adjusted and repacked eventually getting riding at about 8. Straight to the closest cafe for a coffee and a teacake. Then we really got going I suppose 9.30 🤦.
Brett was feeling strong and on the first off road uphill sped past me like a gazelle as I lumbered along plodding. (Can any I pull any of the excuses cards out, he’s 25kgs lighter overall, he’s 15 years younger. Hmmmm I’ve just done a 3000km tour he’s done 3 practice sessions. Grrrrrrrrrr ⚖️) I chased him and failed to catch.
Hills and hills and off road hills, sand hills like a beach . But views at the top so spectacular. The sand sections were absolutely devastating, slewing us with the slightest turn of the bars, low gear high cadence seemed to work, but the legs can only do this so many times until they just grind to a hault. Neither of us liked the sand.
We were tired we worked hard all morning and possibly/probably hadn’t eaten enough. Eventually we stopped for lunch at about 1.30pm the bacon and brie sandwiches devoured in seconds swilled down with sweet hot chocolate.
Soon after there was a long off road uphill getting progressively harder and rougher. I heard a screech behind and knew Brett had come a cropper. I surmised it was bad I’d come back to check or he would shout louder. But soon after the trail was so rough I had to stop. And Brett was only just behind me.
We stopped at some seats and discussed a plan of action. Find a campsite get horizontal ASAP. We called on up. Luckily this one had a shower, but not much else.
We have done 20kms under budget, this might bight us hard on the last day. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
A Couple of Days Ride Outta....... 