Today has not been the recovery day I was hoping for. I left about an hour later than expected/planned and after a few hundred metres I also lost 45 minutes on time difference. So despite having a slightly shorter day ahead, the prospect of a relaxing afternoon looked unlikely. This was emphasised by the wind which hadn’t changed at all since yesterday.
The first 60 odd kilometres to Cocklebiddy were really not enjoyable and my frustration was almost at an all-time high. After a short rest (and a couple of bacon and egg sandwiches) I was slightly better prepared…
The last few hours were still rubbish but slightly more bearable. I resorted to talking to myself as a distraction and to some extent it worked. Maybe I’ve gone a bit mad but considering there’s pretty much f-all to look at, it seemed the only option. And it wasn’t as if there was anyone else around to talk to…
My evening has been quite good. I’ve got a room tonight so I’ve been able to spread absolutely everything out around it in a bit of an ‘organised mess’. The lack of space is definitely the worst thing about tents.
Once again, the forecast doesn’t look all that promising… But I’m praying, so hopefully someone up there will hear me.
Distance: 97.1 miles / 156.2 km
Riding Time: 7:42:53
Av. Speed: 12.6 mph / 20.3 kph
Tom Davies RTW 
We are all praying with you Tom, that wind is the silent killer. Never ceases to amaze me how the wind always seems to follow me, head on that is. You battle on the way out, believing that the same wind will assist on the return leg and guess what, that same wind has a habit of turn 180 degrees as the return leg begins. Have to admire your progress, I was along the coast at 5.30 this morning a battled for my full 16 miles, that was my routine trip completed, don’t know how you do it.
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So, you lost 45 minutes today? Well, of course I’m not a scientist but I think you need to ease up because, according to Einstein’s theory of relativity, time dilation is a difference of elapsed time between two events either moving relative to each other or differently situated from gravitational masses. (I don’t think this will be your Dad’s favourite comment.) The Hafele-Keating experiment was a test where atomic clocks were placed aboard commercial airliners. They flew around the world, eastward, then westward, and compared the clocks against others that remained at the US Naval Observatory. When reunited, the sets of clocks were all found to disagree, and their differences were consistent with the predictions of special and general relativity. So, it is possible to slow down time by travelling very fast relative to someone who is stationary. Which means if you go too quick you may well disappear up your own butt…
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Wooooooooh Cocklebiddy!!!
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Thomas, great work today. Well done. I’m not quite sure who you are aiming your prayers at, given the pagan heritage, but to increase the chances of success, I’d suggest you cut out the bad language, rethink your attitude to India, and renounce the false God of Warren Gatland. Hope that works and you have a great day tomorrow. Charlotte.
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Thanks for those words of wisdom Charlotte. I’m sure Thomas will take heed. However, I suggest you direct your opprobrium (look it up Chris) at your little devil of a son and my Godson. From what Will tells me I need to have words! A story worthy of being shared on the internet. H x
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Well done Tom. I hope the wind God hears you and provides a 20mph tail wind all day for you! Oh and nothing wrong with talking to yourself. More likely to keep you sane in my reckoning…
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