We did not succeed in carrying out our programme in its entierity, for the reason that human performance lags behind human intention. It is easy to say and believe that at three in the afternoon that one will rise at five in the morning, breakfast lightly at half past an start away at six. That one would be under way before the heat of the sun sets in and that this time of the year the early morning is really the best part of the day is usually unanimus. It is so fresh and cool and the half lights are so exquisite.

The first morning one maintains one's vows. The party assembles at five. It is very silent , individually somwhat snappy and inclined to grumble with its food and also with other things. The atmosphere is charged with compressed irritability seeking its vent.

In the evening the tempters voice states that if we got off by eight it would really be time enough. The voice of virtue protests that it would be breaking the resolution. Temtation repies that resolutions were made for man no man for resolutions. The devil can paraphrase scripture for its own purpose. Besides it was not right that we should disturb the neibourhood so early in the morning. The voice of virtue feebl;y continues that everyone gets up early in these parts but is contradicted that they would not if they were not so obliged.

Thus sin masqurades under the guise of good and one sleeps till seven explaining to ones concience who however does not believe it for one moment that one sleeps a little later out of unselfish consideratin for others. I have known such consideration to have lasted well past eight o'clock.

Likewise distance measured by a pair of compases is not precisely the same as when measured by the leg. Ten miles an hour for seven hours. Seventy miles. A nice easy days work. There a couple of stiff hills to climb but then there ids the other side to come down. Ok say eight miles an hour and say sixty miles. Got in Himmel! If we can't average eight miles an hour then we had better go in wheelchairs. It does not seem possible to do any less on paper.

But at four o'clock in the afternoon the voice of duty rings that we had better be getting on. It then that we realize that it would still be twenty five miles to go and that we have used the whole day to travel only thirty five. It must all be nonsence. It is impossible . We have been riding steadily all morning. That map must be wrong. Somehow its always the map.

And there still is two hills. Up and down both. Then it start. Is there anywhere between here and the next twenty five miles that’s maybe just as interesting maybe that little place by the lake. There is a danger in beginning that sort of thing. One should not overwork oneself and one should study moderation. And it is a pretty little place that according to the map anyway. It looks as if the air would be good there. Everyone seems agreeable and nobody can really remember wanting to go to the other destination anyway. This new destination will be ever so much lovelier than that other poky old place down the valley.

I made this distinction between theory and practice on the very first day of our ride.

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