The technology curse on this trip continued as my garmin would not upload today's route when we tried in June morning so it was left to Andy and his gps to guide us to Ludlow. After fiddling about a lot to try and find the start of gps course route from Bath we eventuall locked in our start point but were very aware we were well behind schedule. More worrying was that Andy then pulled up very early in to the ride with concerns about his already troublesome and regularly operated on knee. I certainly thought the worst at this stage.
However, we finally did get going and underway with some momentum until we climbed a big hill and right at the top we were immediately halted with a road block and a sign saying "pedestrians only". We negotiated an uncomfortable next 5 minutes on foot down some awful terrain to get around the problem.
The weather seemed good and on our side when we left Bath via the south west edge of the Cotswolds. We made good ground and pedalled hard towards the superb crossing of the Severn Bridge. As we crossed the sun was shinning and the views were spectacular. We stopped for photo on the bridge that was taken by an architect who was strolling the bridge to admire the structure.
Gels, stretch stops and comfort breaks during the next 25 miles took us to lunch in Monmouth at the Punch Bowl. 45 minutes to refuel with a hearty soup and some good carbs (lesson learnt from previous days) gave us the boost we needed to get to the end of the day. 2 things of note though at the punch bowl. Firstly, I had a very interesting conversation with a elderly chap, whilst ordering our food, about LEJOG and i started telling him about our long trip which he related to some of his long hikes that he was passionate about. I then went on to say about the Russian lady that walked the length of the country and all the interest that it created at the time all those years ago and I knew her name was Dr Barbara but we both did not know her last name. We both went about our business after that until a few minutes later he jumped out on me and cries Moore...her name was Dr Barbara Moore (she passed away in 1977). The second thing of note was not as high brow as the previous. Whilst sitting outside eating our lunch and people watching Andy nudges me and says I know this bloke walking up the road and swore he was from Berko. The man looked a bit of a scruff and what I can only describe as an ailing Peter Stringfellow. As he walked off in to the distance we continued to debate the fact which I was contesting.
There was a long steady climb up from the River Wye in Chepstow next up and this is when pain really started to hit home. Many things are about to blow me thinks. Legs heavy, feet strained, back pain from a big bag, thighs starting to burn and the all important bottom has almost been pierced. Big trouble is on the horizon.
On our next stint of spinning we "chewed the fat" a little on some quiet roads side by side and I was just finding out how much Andrew actually moans! Not just when riding......Our conversation then led back to his Berko mate from Monmouth and he then proceeded to tell me, astonishingly, that he wrote the popularly loved them tune from the children's TV show Rosie and JIm. I did tell Andrew I found it hard to believe that Peter Stringfellow wrote the them tune to Rosie and Jim!
At the top of the next hill we were provided with more entertainment, please bare in mind this is entertainment for people that had been sat down pedalling for 8 hours, when we entered the village of Phocle Green. Try saying it with a northern accent and not laughing. I won't even go on to tell about the village of "Here".
On the last leg of this stage we finally entered Herefordshire on the more undulating run into Ludlow via Leominster where we would lay our heads for the evening. Our shared excitement about having a bath in the room was a little worrying but pain relief once bathed was immense. I booked us in a quirky little place called the Feathers Hotel, which is said to be haunted. The place has a lot of character and charm and I am only hopeful that Casper does not disturb me in the night as I am knackered.
Today's stats:-
Total ride time = 6hrs 31mins
Distance = 147kms
Calories burnt = 3695
Elevation = 1497m
Ludlow to Haydock tomorrow
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