OKEHAMPTON: CYCLING WITH DEER

It has hardly stopped raining this week until today. This is not a good advert for the West Country but previously we had a long spell of fine weather. Today's ride was over Dartmoor to Okehampton and included a muddy field and off road track, so it was fun.

Here is another fun bit. I came face to face with a deer. The animal ran just in front of me for 200 metres then hopped into the hedge and ran with me for another 200 metres. The speed of a deer is 15mph. Here is a gypsy horse, part Welsh cob, part much else according to the owner. What a great looking animal!

TRAINING RIDE - THE WAY OF THE DRAGON

I gave myself a more testing ride on Monday. I cycled fully laden from Machynlleth in Wales to Welshpool using minor roads where ever possible, a distance of 50 miles. Ok, so this may not be a big achievement to hardened enthusiasts, but it proved to me that my fitness level is better.

For mountain walkers and off road cyclists following Sustrans Route 8, check out http://www.talbontdrain.co.uk. This is a perfect guest house in the mountains 4 miles South of Machynlleth