On the last day of this first part of the ride I climb the Dunkerry Beacon, traverse a bog and poke myself in the eye rather painfully with a blade of marsh grass.
Had a really nice chat with Connor of @addict2athlete (as he overtook me on foot). Check out his website for more details.
https://addictstoathletes.org/
My route : https://www.strava.com/activities/11099106588
==== Coffee & Merch ====
Chip in to buy me a coffee, offer regular support or buy some wonderful merch :: https://ko-fi.com/jethrojessop
==My Etsy Shop==
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JethroJessop
I will try to keep it stocked with interesting things so keep an eye on it over the coming months 🙂
=== Supporter Links ===
Örebro’s only mobile bicycle repair service – https://cykeltek.se
=== SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ===
There are affiliate links below to the gear featured in this video. Clicking on them gives me a little commission on anything you buy during that shopping session. It doesn’t have to be the thing I link to even!
I’ll only ever link to stuff that I have personal experience of and that I genuinely rate as quality products.
== Bollé Eco ==
Really comfy helmet.
https://amzn.to/3SQo0G6
== Helinox Chair Zero ==
The ultimate luxury when the ground is wet and cold.
https://amzn.to/49mErRQ
== Big Agnes Copper Spur ==
Best tent I’ve ever owned. Love it, love it, love it.
https://amzn.to/3OSvFma
== Trangia Stove ==
Simple stove, easy to find fuel
https://amzn.to/3UW2ZfV
== Trangia Fuel Bottle ==
Sturdy, non leak storage for alcohol stove fuel
https://amzn.to/49XJDLT
== GoPro Chesty ==
Best mount for a GoPro on those fast/technical sections.
https://amzn.to/49B4J1M
== Magicshine Lights ==
Used them for years. Solid, well made, bright.
https://amzn.to/3TXjVkl
== Quadlock Outfront Pro ==
Best way I know to attach a phone (or other device) to a bike (or tripod, or car)
https://amzn.to/4avmMrL
=== Music ===
Dude, Where’s My Horse? :: Nat Keefe with The Bow Ties
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr1hW0rMwhUGBPne6FYdyIQ
Acoustic Circles :: Unicorn Heads
Folk Tap Harp :: Unicorn Heads
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbdU8d-QYGeEseYLlrSy8KQ
Fresh Fallen Snow :: Chris Haugen
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNXDIltPLbdcAavUtL00i7g
Last Train to Mars :: Dan Lebowitz
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOg3zLw7St5V4N7O8HSoQRA
Bone Dry :: Telecasted
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDGuHd_peGLVVP32SXdHfw
31 Comments
Well done Jethro a fine end to the ride!! Losing an eye for the channel seems an extreme gesture, yet i applaud you loudly!! Tally ho and on to the next adventure!!!!
Wet feet. I bought some real fancy goretex cycle boots that are supoosedly great for tramping through streams. Got soaked through in a mild rainstorm in London back in December. Rubbish. (And, just as freezing as my summer shoes which is what I was really looking for.)
Bought a cheap pair of garish Sealskinz socks for a ride earlier in the year. I was skeptical. But, am now a convert. One of the main high street chains in the UK is currently doing buy one get one half price. I've stocked up in their more staid colours
Don`t go spending money on a glass eye i have a tin full of marbles from my younger days { 50 odd to be precise }, you can have your pick some lovely colored ones.
The section down from the top of the Beacon would have been easier by canoe, methinks!..😆
Tip from one who knows – you wont get a glass eye on the NHS if its just one, as losing one eye is classed as "not sight threatening". But if you poke yourself in the OTHER eye as well, you're golden.
Ye must bathe the eye ball with soothing moonlight for 41 moonlit bathings not a moonlight more or less..
Taking one for the team there Jethro!
You know you're in Devon when there's grass down the middle of the road! Another vote for Sealskinz socks.
Nice one, proper country down there. Wet sky and gritty conditions
Love the mud and woods. What tyres do you use, are they Schwabe ???
Thanks
Congratulations. The ride across the bog looked tough. I've left a contribution to the glass ee.
Good effort in that wind, I hate wet feet in shoes but some good, simple tunes today!
‘Grey, rain and tarmac; not my favourite autobiography title’ – hilarious! 😂
When are you going to introduce us to your lil buddy on your handlebars?
Impressive to attempt and finish a ride in those conditions on that terrain. Well done Jethro, and all with a smile (well in front of the camera!) on your face. Look forward to the next one.
Bob…
So, I turn on my telly box, YouTube, as per, and "Eye-Eye" 👀 it's only Jethers .
My dear fellow, great end to the trilogy. Simply magnificent, one in the eye for all those young scamps, coming on here, with their sponsored bikes and expensive kit! You lead the way Sir.
Just a suggestion, but best refrain from calling that morning weather Wet skies I reckon. Liquid sunshine is the term us adventure types call it. Splendid to see you out and about once more dear boy.
Awaiting the next installment will be trying on my patience. Bravo to you Mr Jessop 🙏🙏
Brilliant video Jethro, thanks for the shoutout and I hope your eye has improved! Looking forward to watching your next adventure! 🚲
Lovely to see our local roads on your film living in Barnstaple. We only did Kingford Hill climb from Simonsbath on a beautiful sunny morning last Saturday and I never tire of the view of the valley . Looking forward to the Tarka trail section in the next one 😊 can I ask what you use as your route planner I was using Komoot but stopped my subscription. Thanks again for entertaining us really enjoy your adventures.
That swamp was surely not made for cycling, was it? Well at least you were able to swear alone, ot disturbing fellow adventurers, for there were none in a quadrillion sq.miles!
But thank you for a lovely video once more, and all the best for the last bits!
Procrastinate anytime before a big hill! We love hearing your words of wisdom. That looked like absolute hell going thru that swamp! Wow! Snails on the tent! Is it always just so wet and chilly there? I’m in New England but my mom lives in Arizona. There’s lots of mountain biking out there. Hows Alan doing?
The sedge in the eye thing reminds me of when I was pruning a dogwood at work one time and I wasn’t wearing my safety glasses like I was supposed to be and I bent down on top of the ladder to make a snip and took a dogwood flower bud directly into my right eye! It was a kousa dogwood so the flower bud is essentially a small spear! I ended up with long term damage and eye herpes. (Laugh now🤣😊). I don’t get flair ups anymore because I don’t drink anymore. Which leads me to my next point. Thank you so much for introducing us to the guy from addicts to athletes! So good to raise awareness of the pandemic that exists with drug and alcohol addiction! Hope you’re well and thanks so much for all that you do.
NQU
Thanks for taking us along. I enjoy the philosophical journeys.
The day seemed to improve for you Thankfully – apart from the eye issue. Hazardous stuff this bikepacking – see the latest from Keep Smiling Adventures 😕 Great watch as always – you capture the essence of cycling for me 👍
Really love your videos – and following your adventures. So hope your eye heals up ok. That did look very painful 😞 Looking forward to the next one and an update on the eye.
I am presently reading a book by Gary Biltcliffe and Caroline Hoare called "The Spine of Albion," which is a book about ancient ley lines that crisscross the British Isles. Throughout the book, it highlights how the main ley line, The Belinus Line, or The Spine of "Albion", (the oldest known name for Britain) begins in the Isle of White and travels up through the country and continues onward north west through the west coast of Scotland.
On this line can be found ancient sites such as Avesbury, Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral, Cannock Chase, and many many other sites where churches, castles and other significant buildings have been built on, mostly where two lines cross, called a "node point." Often along these lines, beacons, similar to that of Dunkerry Beacon can be found, which have been erected on the tops of a hill, and were ancient sites which once lined up with the ancient star constellation of "Deneb." Ancients, such as the Druids and many others, held these sites as sacred. Whilst some lazy academics however, attempt to "debunk" the existence of ancient "Ley lines," with some digging, the debunkers can easily be debunked. Many place names throughout England contain the word "ley" and often, something like a significant historical building or ancient burial ground can be found in that place. (Barns"ley," Hors"ley," Bex"ley," "Alme"ley" and Eardis"ley." etc).
Fab! Stunning scenery as usual. ❤👍😁
Oow I do like your handlebar mittens! Another great adventure brother, love from Wales
Another splendid outing concluded. I applaud thee, Sir…. And ye glassed eye 👏🏻
After waking up feeling a little sluggish you soon perked up and got into the cheery party spirit.
Your hair kept its shape quite well on the blustery Dunkery Hill 💇♂️ (I've always known it as Dunkery Beacon but there was a sign behind you).
You are unstoppable! Love it!
Loved it. Another thought provoking video x must get out there!