Yawn zz

Snoring is a hazard of youth hostel life I had forgotten about. Last night in the small dormitory room.with three other guys ( all starting le jog on the morning too) was a bit of a snorefest of doom. I didn't get much sleep. Outside I can hear the wind howling a bit...hopefully it's the traditional tailwind of deep joy I booked and there hasn't.been a cock up on the wind front reservation!
Anyway...up and at 'em me thinks...!

Fox and hounds Dartmoor

Well after a four hour drive I've parked my self here in the fox and hounds pub just outside Tavistock. Because I am in Devon I have decided to go for some traditional local food....spinach and ricotta tortalini!!
Well, when in Devon do as the Romans do.

It's lovely here...may stay here lol!
The wind is pretty strong and I've seen some long drag hills coming in...but that's for later!

Well it wouldn't be good form not to forget something so it turns out that with this in mind I deliberately forgot to bring the phone charger. So tonight saw me dashing around Dartmoor in search of one. Thankfully tescos came to the rescue and my little green lines are moving again.

This morning is d day minus two and counting. Celeste has been loaded into the back of the mini, rucksack re packed for the umpteenth time, and if I've forgotten anything now it will have to wait.
I've downloaded a cloud app to make finding WiFi along the route easier hopefully. I'm not sure how easy wi fi access is in the uk on a bike tour compared to the states.
Looks like fine sunny weather with headwinds for the first few days anyway.
Tonight I'll be in tavistock before heading to lands end tomorrrow, ready for the start on the 8th.
One tip for would be le joggers...don't eat pistachio, dry roasted and cashew nuts before the trip...tmi lol!

The top tube bag stashed with energy gels, the el cheapo aero bars and the garmin gps map 60csx...under the aero bars are two small frog lights for any grey days.

So that ruck sack is to heavy...this mornings ride on the wind had me cursing ...which is of course something I never do ...ish...lol! Anyway I ended up at the bike shop and bought a top tube bag to stash some energy gells. I've never used them before but thought I may try some out on this trip. That took some weight off my back and onto the bike. I also ditched a base layer and some arm warmers, my glasses case and the travel towel bag ( keeping the towel). I dug out my old aero bars and fitted them. I'm in two minds about these things. I feel a little unstable riding with them and a ruck sack. But they do help against a head wind. They add some weight to the bike but it's negligible given the extra drag of the rucksack and one rather large jockey. I've got some electrolyte drink tabs to make up my own Gatorade style drinks, so as the ride progresses they will occupy less space. I'm tempted to leave my overshoes behind as well, as its sunny here today. However I'm sure there will be colder wetter weather along the way so I'll take them. Thank you for the texts wishing me good luck all!

My bike Celeste itching to ride! I can confirm that it is not humanly possible to get anything else whatsoever into that small rucksack!

Todays 55 mile training  ride through Sussex lanes took my three day mileage to 135 miles at an average speed IRO 17mph. I'd like to claim weight loss but my firm resolution to use ice cream as a recovery meal has meant delaying that particular claim. Today I've seen hang gliders at Devils Dyke, Lot's of Roadies out on Carbon bling machines, Pony riders, Skateboarders, a Horse rubbing it's backside on a fence post and drivers. Guess which group was the only lot not smiling from ear to ear?!

If the weather holds like this for the trip it's going to be amazing!

Well thanks to the incompetence of Wiggle it looks highly likely I wont have any bib longs for this trip. The order I placed with them never arrived and only after two e mails enquiring why did they bother to let me know the item was in fact out of stock (when advertised as in stock) and that they could not even give me any estimate as to a an arrival date. This comes after on a previous order they sent the wrong item. Useless. So, I'll never order anything from those guys ever again.
There are plenty of other cycle retailers out there, you can keep your Haribos lol!

Well it seems my chain was too long, nothing worse than a slack chain, so links have been removed and things seem better. It actually feels a little weird not having to box up the bike and head to an airport, I feel like I should be doing more, but it's all done really.
I've got myself some of those frog lights, small led's that give off a big 'here I am' message! Hopefully there will be no night riding but they are a must in grey and drizzle. Spoke to kevin tonight and it's all systems go his end as well. Got the train booked to Penzance for £8 each and things are looking good for take off!