Following yesterday’s 105+ mile jaunt across Cornwall, riders this morning were faced with the prospect of another challenging day on the bike.
Today’s route was eight miles longer but slightly less undulating than yesterday, traversing Devon and entering Somerset. Here’s how Day Two journey panned out for our 800 riders.
The day started in mixed conditions, with heavy fog blanketing the valley. Patches of rain, sometimes heavy, made for difficult progress, with many riders choosing to spend a bit of extra time at the first pitstop (mile 38) to recharge and refocus.
Photo by Tom Austin @tomaustincycling
Following Pitstop 1, the route crests the Quantock Hills in Somerset, which rise high above the mercifully flat Somerset Levels. After another rest at Pitstop 2 in Highbridge, riders were treated to arguably the day’s defining climb up Cheddar Gorge.
Whilst not massively steep for the most part, the steep limestone walls through which the road twists and turns make the climb truly of one Britain’s most iconic.
After conquering Cheddar Gorge, riders continued on to the historic city of Bath, where townhouses made of the very same limestone line the streets. A short, sharp climb out of the city and onto Bannerdown rounded out the day.
Tomorrow, the riders will take on Day Three, crossing the Severn Bridge into Wales and heading up the Wye Valley.
