LEJOG Day 3
I am getting into the swing of this ride.
The route out of Launceston took me on to the ‘old A30’ to Okehampton . The receptionist at the White Hart Pub told me that it was “an ancient road on a ridge”. Apparent this had the benefit providing anyone that was on the road the “ability to see their enemies”. It occurred to me that the said “enemies“may have the same idea. This probably resulted in a lot of fighting on the road.
After a few miles, I ran into two cyclist with panniers heading towards me. We stopped for a chat. It turned out that they were Scots heading from John OGroats to Lands End. They were 10 days into their ride and hope to finish it in 12 days. Not a bad effort for Scotsmen.
Anyway the road was great: long gentle ups and downs. Such a contrast compared to the North Cornwall Coast. The book I am using as sort of guide noted that short of Okehampton it is possible to get on to the Granite Way Rail Trail. This one the best and best known Rail Trails in the UK and therefore, the planet. The Garmin went spastic and tried to put me on the A30 main road. Take a serious look at yourself Mr Garmin.
After Okehampton I followed a route I had plotted using Google Maps. It was great: virtually all on country lanes looking over classic Devon farm lands. The lanes are, however, a bit problematic when a big tractor meets oncoming traffic. Check out the pick of a serious traffic jam in a lane.
I made it the Silverton in reasonable time. No camping grounds near this village. I am staying at the Three Tuns Pub. It serves local brews including Exmoor and Dartmoor. The publican is anti “lager crap”. Good to see. He provided with a guide to local brewers Devon in and the surrounding counties. There are 17 in Devon. Apparently the number is increasing. Again, good to see.
Garmin Link
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/333726765
Flickr Link
billrider2013 