Day 7 London to Totnes

Quick facts:

Departure:  N London

Destination: Totnes

Route: 

Road bike;Home to Train Station (1.6 mi) Train to Leyton Station; Bike to Paddington Station (9 mi); Train to Exeter; bike to Totnes

Weather: beautiful H 28 L13 

Check out Corner to Corner, Day 7, Part 1: Leyton to London Paddington activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/YKXqkJUQpsb

Check out Corner to Corner, Day 7, Par 2: Exeter St David's to Combeteignhead activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/46t64YZQpsb

Check out Corner to Corner, Day 7, Part 3: Combeteignhead to Brixham activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/f9YtkK4Qpsb

At 7:20 we headed off with our friend Dave F up as usual to see us off and take the second round of departure pictures.  The spaghetti dinner he made for us last night fueling us for the day. 

We glided through the sleeping suburb and arrived at the train station with 6 minutes to climb over the tracks on the stairs and wait one minute for the train to leave. Strangers stepped up to help with the bags.

Happily rolling.

Ralph suddenly started emptying his bags onto the train floor…. Decidedly not a good sign! It seems the very special charger for his bike’s electronic gearing had been left behind.  We both hopped off the train at the next stop, slowly went through the bags, and with no charger in sight, Ralph hopped the train back home.  I am writing this with all the bags and my bike waiting in the shade until Ralph comes back.  We gave ourselves extra time to get through London.  We will see how we do.  Our train to Exeter leaves at 11:06 am.

Stay tuned! 

…….

Alls well that ends well.  Ralph returned a few trains later, hopped off to get his panniers as I loaded on.  We got off at Leyton Station and wiggled our way 9 miles through London bike routes to Paddington Station. It was quiet with MUCH fewer busses.  Blocked off streets were preparing for Sunday markets. 

I did take a few tourist shots. The high BT tower that I biked around both days and Wimpole Street where Ralph worked as a librarian.

Paddington Station has its mix of excellent people watching!  David from Australia is here for 5 weeks visiting family and riding on his BMC Roadmachine.  He has it safely protected in a Topeak PAKGO X which he swears is the best investment! Biking friends note.  It wheels like carry-on! 

The track for the train wasn’t announced until about 9 minutes before departing.  It was Track 8.  A sea of people started moving towards it because it is a VERY long passenger train by Canadian standards.  Ralph and I AND the bikes were car B at the front.  I walked past at least one First Class car and cars up to letter K. We were loaded and on our way 1 min early by my watch!

Remember my story from Day 3 about not seeing the White Horse? Well with Google maps and several passengers helping I failed again at seeing the carved hillside at Pewsey from the train.

Our ride from Exeter was a beautiful meander along the Exe River. The paths were super busy with cyclists, walkers, runners and people watchers enjoying a summer Sunday. We grabbed lunch at a Coop grocery store.   If I had known the height of the hills ahead of me I would have chowed down a steak dinner.

Exeter is in Devon. Devon means hills.  Our route took us “over” two large estuaries The first was the River Exe. 

The next Teigh with the estuary at Teighmouth.

Beautiful views from the tops of the hills but challenging rides up.  I have a friend in Totnes and Ralph was heading to Brixham to join the family. We split at Combeinteifnhead. Both of us had very long, hills to get over.  I know that from my Canadian experience that if a road is graded for cross country trucks then I can cycle up no matter how long it is because the grade Is within my capabilities.  Not so for country paths.  Those 20% no HGV signs mean “Lorraine you are walking”.  In my defense,  I do have two panniers!  

The shadows were getting longer, the sun lower and heading west it was in all drivers and cyclists eyes.   I turned on my extra front and  back lights and hoped all the cars could see me.

Totnes is a lovely town with centuries old narrow streets,quaint shops, restaurants and pubs. I liked it immediately. 

I was welcomed warmly by my friend Ingrid and I enjoyed the evening with her, having supper, walking the town and catching up on our news.

Safe cycling

Lorraine