How was the trip? Last I read you and your wife were taking the bikes some where.

Slainte

It was good - though painful. We went to North Devon in the south west. It is an area of amazing beauty but there are hills everywhere. Lots of interesting descents, but always a hill to welcome you somewhere. The cycling was mixed. We did one road loop that was 20km flat (on the map) but felt like 40km by the time we got back - on account of the hills. We also did a deeply rutted single-track that hugged the cliffs around the coast, and had a fabulous technical descent (in places) down to sea level. The climb back was simply awesome. In some places we had to physically carry the bikes - the track was impossible to climb up - at least to us. Our last ride was on a gravelled track called the Tarka Trail, which runs on a dismantled railway line. That was an easy 35km round trip.

I did break one taboo/fear. I at last put to bed the fear of coming off my bike. It was for me, a great crash, flying over the bars, almost with a perfect handstand in mid-air. I landed heavily, but thankfully on a dense path of ferns. My bike also spun a loop but thankfully nothing was damaged, only the chain slipped off. My only embarassment was that I landed quite solidly on my back, and that popped the tube of my Camelbak bladder and soaked me in refreshing cold water!

We all got home otherwise sound. The bikes were delightfully dirty and I'll be washing them tonight. North Devon is simply beautiful. The national park, Exmoor, is stunning. We had great weather, and several delicious cream teas that Devon is famed for - warm scones, farmhouse jam, clotted cream, yum, yum! Our waistlines got a punished, so the diet has begun.

As a riding destination, you have to look hard for the good places, but once you find them, they are worth it.

Sound like a great trip. If you have some pictures post some, I'd like to see them. I have poped my hydration pack twice doing that same thing. Feels good on hot days though.
Glad to here you had a good time.

Slainte

Alas, no pics. My camera (a bulky Sony DKC-ID1 which in 1997 was state of the art) was too big for the Camelbak Mule. Something had to go. If I'd known it was going to be the water, I'd have taken it..

I'd love to have got some pics of the single track we rode on. The next off-road thing I do, I will get pics. There are some really decent rides in the UK which is quite surprising considering how much urban sprawl there is. My next ride will be closer to home. It comes from a magazine and was rated as among the best the UK has to offer - the ones they know about at least!

Bokkie -

Sounds like you had a great time!

Back in '81, my wife & I and another couple did a 3 week cycle tour of England. We spent a couple of days in Exmoor. I don't remember our route exactly but it was generally from west to east. I do remember staying at a B&B in Wheddon Cross and pedaling around Dunkery Beacon to Porlock Bay. We had great weather, the locals were extremely friendly. And we EARNED our right to clotted cream sans guilt! I'd love to go back some day.