The result was a combined family/work and cycling trip down to the west country.
I always knew that the main road out of Porlock Hill would be too much so I had decided that I would take the Toll road up onto the moor and across to Lymouth. What I didn't bank on was the jurney there.
Even before I got to Raleigh's Cross from my base in Crowcombe I had to contend with a leg breaking climb.
With my new iPhone securely fixed to the handle bars and Strava installed to log the data I set off.
It was here it occured to me that if I loosened off the mount for the iPhone I could rotate it and use the video camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8-5PTT99qg&list=LLuNu9fknyO8fjcAHbvn-tcQ&feature=mh_lolz
Dunkery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNQqiUnZIU&feature=em-upload_owner
This link takes you to the descent of Countisbury Hill but the drop down into Porlock is close to it on that You Tube account. Sadly I deleted the climb of Porlock Hill including a ride up the steep main road section ( about half way) just to see what it was like. Not the most rivetting videos in the world but something to watch if you happen to be recovering from a medical procedure or it's raining outside.
At Lynmouth I breifly tried to climb out the steep (A39) way to get to the Valley of Rocks. As my heart began to pound and I realised I would have to double back on myself to get home I turned around.
So it came tp pass that in one day I failed to climb two hills . This is the first time that has ever happened to me (other than on the fixed wheel) since I was a kid. I'm not so proud to say I could have ridden them on that day but they are both doable.
I had a lovely lunch in Lynmouth (where it started to to rain) and then had to face the long climb out of the town back onto Exmoor. As the visibilty fell and the mist turned to drizzle, the wind picked up and then the drizzle turned to rain I thought of all my relatives over the years who had tended their sheep on those very hills.No wonder one of my paternal grandfathers had been so keen to ditch the sheep farm and become a station master when the railway came to the area at the turn of the 20th century.
From there a gradual descent brought me past Wimbleball reservoir and back across to crowcombe. Despite only covering 80 miles I could feel it in my legs but it had been an enjoyable day.
I have unfinished business with Porlock Hill. It's not an impossible climb but not one I want to take on when I'm 40 miles away from my base and flying solo.
To anyone thinking of climbing Porlock Hill don't be put off by its reputation. But what I would say is the toll road is a more pleasant way to spend your time on a bike. The descent down Countisbury Hill is well worth the journey but remember, you have to climb out of Lynmouth so have a pasty and chips while you are in the town.
As a kid my family used to go to Porlock to see great aunt Gert, she'd been a teacher there, but was 90-odd when I was ten. I wish I had returned a little sooner to ride the Hill.
One day I hope to return to do just that.
