Training Log Archive: RHF

Cornwall cycling loop - up through Antony to the cliff road, all the way to the end, break, then down to Milbrook, out and back on the flat coast road, break while waiting for Nicole then back through St John and round.
Almost didn't go out today, legs felt tired this morning and I wasn't feeling up to it. Eventually decided I should go out and I really enjoyed cycling on the cliff road yesterday (despite the traffic). Not held back by waiting for the others today. I took a few decent rest breaks to admire the views! After seeing Nicole the legs were pretty tired on the hills but I did. Happy to have done so far on the hills two days in a row. Definitely hiller than the New Forest and what I'm used to.

Cycle out to Maker with Nicole and Tony for a cream tea
To the cliff top road, down to Cawsand, up to Maker then down towards Mt Edcumbe and back via Milbrook and St John
Maker often does the best cream tea around! Very chilled rest of the day then we headed out in the sun! Too hot for me really. Had been feeling a bit worried about the hills after all the chat! Tony was deceptively good. I went past on the hill up through Antony and in general was the strongest on the hills. The climb out of Kingsand was good and I made a move but the top section before the junction was grim and I crawled up to Maker. The cream tea wasn't as good as previous times (often they are warm) and we were harassed by a load of wasps.
The downhills weren't super enjoyable, quite dark in sunglasses and the breaks did not feel anywhere near good enough! Really nice by the water on the way back to Milbrook. The climbs going back towards St John were pretty grim and we were all flagging a bit.

Tregantle Fort to Looe on the SW Coast Path 17km 500m
Linking up another bit of the coast path. Very hot and probably not the best day for it. Felt pretty knackered especially on the steep slopes. Quite good views across Whitsand bay and you could see where we were walking to.
Some great ice cream and fish and chips in Looe at the end of the walk. A lot of people on the beachs en route.

Dartmoor backpacking
From camp spot over Kitty Tor back to Lydford
10.5km 250m 2hrs50min total
Had been worried that it would be rainy this morning so the plan was a shorter walk out. Tent down when it was threatening to drizzle and a bit damp. In the clag most of the time, actually having to map read up to Kitty Tor and off the moor. Another couple of tors, an old peat quarry, a cross and a trig. Return to civilisation for 2 lunches thanks to the eat out to help out scheme!

Dartmoor backpacking
Day 2 - Fur Tor to Cranmere Pool, explore, Yes Tor High Willhays to camp below Lints Tor
21.8km 580m 8hrs20mins total
Pretty rough across to Cranmere, rocky, then tussocky then peat bog (fortunately quite dry). Quite lucky with the nav to Cranmere, could have been a bit more accurate across the top. Glad we made it there as it was a special place, 150 years of history and people visiting this random remote spot. Then a loop around the moor on some paths, through the military firing areas before dropping down towards the edge of the moor. Then back up and over the two highest points (a bit windier and lower visibility) before a rocky descent to our camp spot. A longer day but some good breaks.

Dartmoor backpacking trip
Day 1 - Lydford to Fur Tor
12.3km 500m 5hr10mins total
Out onto the moor for our first night wild camping. First through the, thankfully deserted, military firing ranges and a couple of tors. Then we dropped into the Tavy Cleave river valley and up stream. Didn't really spot the old settlements but it was quite rocky and tricking going in places. A bit wet then filled up with water before heading up onto Fur Tor. Quite rocky on the ascent and a bit of a look around before settling on a sheltered pitch. A great spot for our first night.