Santander Via Plymouth

We leave our host Bob this morning and say goodbye to the girls who head off back to Cheltenham complete with the last two days of odorous clothes. We are greeted with a 500 foot climb over a mile out of Gunnislake. 'Who the flipping heck ( that's just a translation) chose those digs' mutters the Captain. I ignore the contempt. Then with a headwind all the face we arrive at Plymouth passing another I K  Brunel bridge over The Tamar. With a few tweaks courtesy Evans Cycles we head to the Wet Wock to devour a Chinese Plat de Jour. The sea looks fierce and we discuss our sea legs - 'It wouldn't bother my old man'  declares the Captain ( A D Day Navy Veteran) it's all a bit romantic and I am aware that there is whispering on nearby tables questioning our sexuality. Learning my lesson earlier this year I am not riled by the car driver who offer gestures to tell us to get to the back of the line using some words beginning with F an C . I very politely suggest he takes it up with Brittainy Ferries as it was they who decided we have priority. He scowled and described me as something that rhymes with anchor and off we go. The evening on the ferry was relaxed you are in the time zone and as I sit in the room void of natural light I strangely ponder over the plight of Terry Waite and the like What amazing characters they must've been to handle solitude and darkness for such a long time-Again a bit deep I know but that's what I was thinking and that's what a tour does to me. The Captain scalds me - I'm talking bollocks again. Another highlight of this journey was to have the pleasure of meeting Terry. He is a Welsh man who is amazingly - quietly spoken, humble and never mentioned our World Cup result. We were both intrigued by his journey. On no more than a mountain bike and a pair of crocs complete with his kindle he is cycling solo to the south of Spain. At 64 years old and in many ways recent to the world of the velo he would be an inspiration to all and was even offered admiration by the usually cynical Capitano. Thanks for your company Terry and a safe journey to you my friend. We exchange tales, tips and also  email addresses and a big farewell to each other as we continue on our onward journey. The journey last night through the ocean was chaotic we had a storm and at moments felt weightlessness and freefall whilst lying in bed. Captain Brittany Ferries decides that he has to head for Calmer waters. We are one hour late arriving in Santander where a 46 mile 5500 feet climb awaits us. For the first time we have broke the mould - for The first day and only half day we decided we would like to know where we are staying tonight rather than travel with the lurgy of finding somewhere in our heads.  Booking.com came to the rescue and tonight God willing we stay in a ski resort Reionsa  (although the Captain wont be happy with the God bit)

Touch Base Later The Two Ronnies x

Stonk over Dartmoor to Gunnislake

Before I brief you today's events is important that you know that not only did the Captain blow a spoke in Bridgewater not only did he lose one of his inmates through the roof of his secure vehicle but he also stood in dog shit before his meal. Again mutterings of that word beginning with F were heard. I tried to pacify him explaining how lucky he was that it wasn't caked on his pedals. We are now sat at breakfast ready for the off to Halfords to be reunited with our loved ones. As always we discussed ablutions and decide that last night's beefburgers were definitely abattoir sweepings.From Bridgewater we made great progress to Taunton. The fog was heavy but the captain with bike all intact had a fresh spring in his step. On then to Cullompton for our first Fuel stop. Another 25 miles and some big climbs to Moretonhamsted Darrmoor. Leek potato and crab soup was followed by journey to Tavistock which was amazing. Our persistence in taking on the moor on another occasion was rewarded. The light wind produced dancing leaves in the autumn flora backed up with sunny haze was spectacular. Life felt good. Climbing over Dartmoor is relentless and we covered some 4300 feet of climbing over 22 miles which felt fairly intense at this point of the ride. We stopped for a pint inTavistock and with my village idiot magnet on I made the mistake of asking the local how we got to go to Gunnislake. 45 minutes later I was none the wiser. It was a good push to Gunnislake and we finished the day on 7506 feet of climbing over around 84 miles. The hotel is quirky to say the least and Bob our host of the freehold for the last 24 years I felt had lost some interest? The captain was totally confused when he was given a room with a ladies bag in and that smelt very much like somebody had just used the toilet. The girls arrived from home with bags for the European sector and we enjoyed a great meal whilst watching are very very sad rugby team getting kicked out the World Cup. We have just said goodbye to the girls and now pack up for the journey to Plymouth and our onward ferry. As I sit here now the captain is staring at me in disapproval chomping at the bit to get going so on that note stokerand is off upstairs to pack the kit in the usual OCD fashion and away we go. May touch base later but probably not a lot to report today as we will be on the long ferry journey to Santander. Over and out Captain and Stoker

Disastrous Day 1 To Bridgewater

As I said every day is an adventure and they certainly fitted that ticket. We left Winchcombe his morning with a fantastic send off from WCC. It was foggy and as always we were both full of apprehension as we climbed Cleeve Hill. First stop -McDonald's Quedgeley where we had a cup of coffee and debated how our day would Pan Out. The tandem partnership was as usual working like a well oiled machine. We made good progress to Berkeley and then disaster struck. The wheels rubbing we investigated to find out the rear spindle of the back wheel had severed. From the captains mouth I heard A muttering that sounded very much like 'We are Fucked' - offering a vote of confidence didn't help our predicament. Think on your feet that's how we do it in the marquee trade and indeed The Fire Service I hear resonating in the background.  With a phone call to my neighbour who holds our house keys ( Thanks Lee) and then a call to my good friend Plumby and Savoiur for the day - he's on his way to Berkeley with our solos. We push the terminal tandem back 3 miles have an early lunch - Plumby is there in Superman style. ( thanks Plumby and I agree a friend in need is a pain in the ass) The picture in the Berkley shop window says it all! Off we go rescued and whistling, we are pleased with ourselves and the dark Moment had passed. No Captain is happy to abandon the ship but I am pleased to again offer a vote of confidence that we had no other choice to thwart his guilt and self pity.  Onward to Bristol we crossed the Clifton suspension bridge the wind on our backs,life is good. Then with a loud bang the captain blows a spoke. His head is down and the shining sun and dappled tree light can not offer cheer. We limp on to Bridgewater where we attack a random cyclist who takes us to Halfords. Please nobody ever Mock Halfords👍  We decide to leave our bikes there where they will be locked up and safe and pick them up in the morning. As we analyse our day the captain states ' not a good place for me Bridgewater I've blown the spoke and I also lost an inmate here' How? I enquire. 'He jumped out the roof' I chuckle inwardly as I consider the plight apparently some 20 years ago! Anyway we are here we have blown 95 miles away and we are just about to eat some food - the digs are good and as always enjoying the adventure. Check in tomorrow - The Tourists X

The Week Before

The lure of the tour is kicking in again. This year my steadfastly organized touring partner takes on a new roll. To Rome he was the Commander - To Barcelona he was a Manager, both these titles being work appointed. Our successful Tandem partnership has realized a new position of Captain.The very small world of the Tandem enthusiast dictates two mantles - one being the Captain - steering, braking decision making and so on. The other is that of the Stoker (derived from the Coal
shovel brandisher on the steam engine) The Stoker is allowed very little decision making apart from a cry for gear selection when hes grappling with his very existence at the mercy of the Captain. ¬ 'Whats that all about you ask ? Well its teamwork - its relentless and on a flat road its as quick as ya like.

We leave Winchcombe on Friday morning flaunting the Newly approved colours of Winchcombe Cycle Club on the Tandem heading for Tavistock via once again our beloved Dartmmor on our 30 year old shed of a Tandem. Once there we will (God Willing)  met by the girlies for a swap from Tandem to Solos. (Sorry Lorraine its Australia v England lol) Then on Sunday off to Plymouth for the Ferry to Santander, We then take a ride that will take us through the foothills of the Pyrenees and onward in a more or less straight line through the mountains and hills of Portugal to Lisbon where we will be reunited with they lasses to enjoy a few days in the City. An island hop on the Plane will see us back on English soil.

The usual prep leaves us scratching the head -shall I take  this or that or both?  knowing the truth is it doesn't matter. The reality is all we need is a maintained treader, a degree of spare clothing,maps and a credit card. The pleasure is the adventure. Where will we end up tonight? Who will we meet? How many punctures will we acquire? What will we graze on? How will the body hold out? What amazing vista will be cast the eyes on?  etc etc etc and we love it for that.  

Surviving the Stoking down to Plymouth may be the biggest challenge. Sat behind Captain Parkers Backside with a headwind after an egg and bacon breakfast would break the majority.I will suffer the challenge without an undertone.

Thanks as always to The Cheltenham Cycles brotherhood - the velo is operating as it was the day I bought it. Just need to offer it some respect and give it a clean!

Chomping at the bit now for another adventure XX