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Thank you to everyone who has been praying and wishing for sunshine!! We only got rained on once today and even that was just a quick shower. More of the same would be wonderful.
Our day started late as we needed to go and see the lovely boys at Strada Cycles (http://www.stradacycles.co.uk). Everything was put back in place, new brakes fitted, new helmet purchased (broken helmet pic attached) and new kit resisted. Like a pro cyclist, my bruises and I got back on the bike and we were away! If you are ever in Bristol, I couldn't recommend this bike shop highly enough. They were all so lovely.
We navigated our way through the Bristol cycle paths (this is the home of Sustrans, after all), under the Clifton Suspension bridge and on to the (old) Severn Bridge. Forget going over this bridge in a car... cycling over it is amazing! Not only do you get to appreciate the full splendour without bits of car blocking your view, you also get to hear the 20 inch cables vibrate in the wind, and feel the bridge shake as the traffic trundles over. There is a cycle lane which keeps you safely away from the traffic and it's free!
Over the bridge and into the Wye valley along a beautifully scenic road that meandered its way through trees. Had we been on our other bikes, the road dry and I not still shaken from yesterday's tumble, it would have been a top 10 descent. Maybe even a top 5. We stopped at Tintern Abbey, a stunning ruin nestled in the valley, and wandered around. Afterwards, we went and had a bite to eat at the Station Cafe which our B&B recommended. The Station Cafe was the old Tintern Station, and the signal box was being used for art exhibitions. It was a fine place to stop.
Monmouth and Hereford were next. Monmouth was a pretty little town which we only saw fleetingly as we felt that we needed to press on. This was our longest day to date, and we weren't covering much ground. Hereford was busy with traffic and cycle-hating drivers (a car in traffic revved at me as the traffic moved 2 metres and I was blocking his way trying to turn right). It also rained when we got there. We didn't like Hereford at all.
What came next is a blur of head down, pedal like mad cycling (Andy decided that it was time to go a bit faster whereas I was quite enjoying our leisurely pace). I felt like I was being paced back to the peloton by my domestique! I was in a strange predicament: on one hand I had to stick to his wheel like glue, whereas on the other I would want to back off as 'no mudguards' Andy kept on going through puddles and splashing me in the face (the mudguards were donated to charity in Penzance as, after everything, they didn't fit Andy's bike).
After a particularly long day in the saddle (I even had to re-apply bum numbing cream) we made it to our lovely B&B in the middle of nowhere. Wednesday night is Fish and Chips night at the pub and it was just what the doctor ordered, washed down with some local ale. Lucky really, as it was our only option... and they don't do food every night. Still, we met some friendly characters and chuckled when the glass washer would make the power go out every now and then.
Tomorrow is another long day as we head up to Liverpool. We have a ferry to catch, so setting off early. Tonight's B&B has chickens, so I'm already looking forward to breakfast tomorrow!
Todays Stats:
Distance: 140km / 85 miles
Elevation: 1357m
Andy's breakfast: 8/10
Garmin file: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/195730268
- comments
Penny Love it round there and the abbey is amazing. Awesome!