Never quit on your dream, but learn to cut your losses and quit your plan if it is not working - Ken Poirot
Things go from bad to worse
It was an unpleasant night struggling to sleep because of the heat and pain radiating from my back. Then when I did finally drift into sleep I was awoken by my son who was starting to have another flare up of his recently diagnosed Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Morning came and though breakfast made a valiant attempt to raise our spirits we were all very tired. It was also my birthday and a planned rest day to be with my family.
The following the plan was to cycle about 80 miles to Somerset where I had booked a Travelodge in Illminster. The weather was cloudy and drizzly. Completely different from the previous days. The cooler air was very welcome on my still sore back. I set off on leg two and after about a mile the rain was becoming a bit more persistent. I stopped at a bus shelter; always a welcome friend to a cyclist when the weather changes, and put on my cycle jacket. I don't think it came off for the rest of the day.
Just about to cross the Tamar Bridge.
After crossing into Devon, my route took me up over the damp but scenic Dartmoor where there were quite a few short but steep inclines to be climbed. After that I was into Exeter and then back on to the A30 and A303 on my way to Illminster.
At some point my very basic mobile phone must of picked up a signal because Catherine was ringing me. She told me that the hotel hadn't got our booking and they were completely full. There was a hotel in Glastonbury with a family rooom that we could go to. That was a further 30 miles or so. Catherine had also managed to get through to Great Ormond Street Hospital and they could see James the following day. So I decided to quit there and then. This wasn't working for me or the family. I agreed a rendezvous point and cycled to it. There I loaded up the bike and we drove home.
Daily Stats
Daily mileage 94.3 miles - 151km
Average speed 11.2mph - 18kph
Max speed 43.8mph - 70kph
Total Time Cycling 8hrs 21mins
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