Tuesday 24 May 2016
Day four begins with the daunting prospect of Cheddar Gorge. Looks very pretty but also potentially very painful.
Good news is that we all slept better last night even me….thank God! I don’t think I could have done another day like yesterday without a few hours proper rest.
We are a bit late getting away this morning as we wait for the campsite owner to come and take his pictures but he doesn’t turn up. We ask a man (interesting chap, keen cyclist) walking his dog to take a photo instead which we will post on the campsite Facebook page later. Then we pedal slowly and a little nervously on our way.
This is our planned route today, it’s another biggie….70 miles and 6000 feet of climbing.
Are we really going to be just outside Hereford this evening? It seems incredible.
So Cheddar Gorge is very pretty although compared to some of the hills we did yesterday it’s a relatively gentle spin to the top.
In case you think we are getting a bit showy offy shortly afterwards normal service is resumed as we climb two 17% ers which hurt a lot and remind us how tired we are and that there is still a very, very long way to go.
The drop down into Bristol is effortless and as we get into the centre we decide it’s time for elevenses.
We have lost track of counties a bit but here’s one for you anyway….…another one done…BOOM!
Followed shortly after by the Severn Bridge …
Lunch in Chepstow courtesy of Tesco Express (I know, we really know how to live!)
We also have our first injury in Chepstow as Marc forgets to uncleat his pedals at a junction and falls over in super slo mo. It’s only a minor scrape to his arm and knee but Dan and I leap into action anyway pointing and mocking him repeatedly for the rest of the day….those are the rules I’m afraid!
KAPOW ….another county for you….
THWACK…..and another (although not necessarily in the right order!)
We did Wales today as well but it happened so quick I missed it…..I’m told that can easily happen with Wales (joking of course!).
Finally around 1700 after our longest day yet we arrive at out campsite…..it’s a very welcome sight. It has been a long, long day!
There is a visible manifestation of our tiredness when Dan sprinkles a sachet of sugar over his curry before realising it’s not salt……it’s time for bed.
Ps. Editorial privileges mean I don’t have to mention that the navigator took us up the same hill three different ways late on in the day…..not my finest hour nor my most popular one!