A Tractor Load of Lycra - Stage 8

Last night's base camp near Cheddar was quite spread out, so much so that our morning today started with a ride on a tractor trailer to the bike pens!

Mounted up and ready to roll by 7.20. The "starter" always has a joke to set us off but today every announcement he made was met with eithe a cheer or a boo so he had trouble getting through his spiel.

David and I both seemed to have more energy today and soon hit a good pace, sometimes in groups. More family out to see us today at Pitstop 2 and at base camp. This was really uplifting - thanks everyone. Thanks also for the many text messages. They keep us going. Energy started to run out towards the end and even a Magnum at a petrol station in Launceston didn't seem to have much impact on the subsequent hills.

So only 1 stage left for tomorrow!!!! Just 95 miles left to go!! Tonight's briefing consisted of lots of thank you's and awards to those that make the camp run so well.

My musings yesterday before I deleted the whole thing was about camp life. That suitcase that was so organised when I packed it is now a complete mess (and smelly). Much of our time in camp is spent queuing! Food, toilets, showers, beer, energy supplements, massages, medics, etc etc. As the week has progressed it seems that everyone has developed a routine to minimise the queuing. You try to cover off as many things as possible as you move around the site. Some people even combine activities so it is not unusual to see somebody queuing for the toilets whilst eating their breakfast, luckily I've not seen anyone trying it the other way round!

Anyway it is very late again given that we get up at 5 each morning. I know it is late by the amount of snoring going on around me in all directions!

Today's ride - 117 miles, 8 hrs 38 mins cycling, 13.5 mph average

Ride to date - 913 miles, 65 hrs 06 mins cycling
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