Photos from Day 4 - Wednesday

Wells Cathedral

 The first 'brew' stop at Chew Valley Lake

 The famous Clifton suspension bridge 

 Michaela and Simon at the Clifton suspension bridge

 Michaela stopped in pouring rain

 Ben and Dan join us at Chepstow racecourse - Dan then acts as motivational coach to ride us in to Monmouth

 The three os us at Tintern Abbey

Day 4 - Wednesday 14th - Glastonbury to Monmouth by Bike27 at Garmin Connect - Details

Day 4 – Yippee!  Glastonbury to Monmouth

Well woke up this morning after drinking loads during the night and not much consistent sleep with, but still have a headache.  Not sure what’s going on here, however bum feeling better!  So it was off to breakfast and another full English and paracetamol…

Here’s how the daily routine for us has become.  Get up around 7 am.  Bath/shower and generally try and convince the body that it is in fact daytime and it needs to be up. Roller legs (yes you were right Nicola it does make a difference!) - sort out kit, choose clothes for the day, what to carry in the rucksack, fill water bottles, add rehydration tablets, pack suitcases, transfer to van, make sure all electronic devices have been charged for the day, programme sav nav, (or as it has been named ‘sh*t

nav’ on account of the number of times it has told us the wrong way to go, or even better than that when we need it, shut down).  Try and eat breakfast, usually full fat, back to room, final checks, then exit room, find bikes, cycle to morning briefing, usually the start point, find out the plan for the day and then make the first pedal rotation of the day.

My life has become quite simple – to turn a blue line into a purple one.  On the ‘sh*t nav’, the blue line represents where you have come from, the purple your route ahead.  The day’s objective is simple - Turn the blue into the purple until there is no more purple and then stop.

The first ‘brew’ stop is after around 15 – 20 miles.  This first section is usually hard as it takes that time to wake the body up and get everything warm.  The next section is before lunch and is usually easy.  Lunch is a buffet or similar at a pub and is the highlight of the day, usually a beautiful quintessential English pub stop and lots of good social interaction, mainly based on the cycling so far.  The section after lunch is the graveyard shift, again hard to get started but we’ve noticed you get moving quicker than for the morning session.  Then we stop for the afternoon ‘brew’ stop, a welcome rest, then off for the final leg which is easy, the ‘home straight’.  Then find accommodation, recovery shake, stretches, shower, recovery trousers on, sort out kit, wash stuff, find some food and drink and get to bed early.  That is the daily routine, and we’re starting to make it slick…

Anyway today was fun and we both enjoyed it – we were going to see the family so we both looking forward to the day, also we knew the area as we were close to home.  Glastonbury was left in sunshine, and we past through Wells, apparently the smallest city in Great Britain.  The cathedral is wonderful, the toilets a welcome stop.  Then on to Bristol.  We had a few navigation problems through Bristol it is fair to say.  Also raining, our first rain of the tour.  Lost about an hour, but did succeed with the help of one of Peak Tours excellent team, Johnny, who rounded us all up and steered us through.  Over Clifton suspension bridge, stunning views and then we headed off for the lunch stop.  We were cheered in by Cass and Roy (Smith) some very good friends of ours, which was a) a surprise and b) very much appreciated.  Most of the rest of the group had been and gone by then, so a quick lunch and off again.  Now started raining pretty hard, actually I don’t mind it, it was still pretty warm and the bike seems to move faster in the rain, maybe less friction or more propensity to get there quicker, not sure.   

We crossed the Severn Bridge in soaking weather, couldn’t see the tops of the towers as they were in cloud, but hey a new country, Wales we had just entered.  Really starting to head north now.

On the other side we were met by Maureen (Michaela’s mum) Dan (12 year old son) and Ben (16 soon to be 17 year old son).  Despite the rain, Dan more than happily cycled the last section with us into Monmouth and as usual his uplifting and motivational presence helped enormously.  When he found out that at each ‘brew’ stop, you can eat as much snack food as you want, whilst eating three Jaffa cakes, he declared that he wanted to do the whole thing.

It was an easy cycle into Monmouth, and a nice dinner with family, and celebration Ben’s birthday, which sadly we won’t be with him for on 16^th.

We hardly saw Stefan all day, I think he went for it today, did it really fast to avoid the rain.  Hope he feels OK.

We have now done around 260 miles, already more than a quarter of the trip done.  We both generally feeling OK, bodies are adjusting and hey we made it out of Devon and Cornwall – those hills area killer!  Tomorrow an easy day – life isn’t too bad.

Photos to follow and the route doesnt have teh first 8 miles on it!

Day 4 - Wednesday 14th - Glastonbury to Monmouth by Bike27 at Garmin Connect - Details

Day 4 Wednesday 13th – Yippee! Glastonbury to Monmouth

Day 4 – Yippee!  Glastonbury to Monmouth

Well woke up this morning after drinking loads during the night and not much consistent sleep with, but still have a headache.  Not sure what’s going on here, however bum feeling better!  So it was off to breakfast and another full English and paracetamol…

Here’s how the daily routine for us has become.  Get up around 7 am.  Bath/shower and generally try and convince the body that it is in fact daytime and it needs to be up. Roller legs (yes you were right Nicola it does make a difference!) - sort out kit, choose clothes for the day, what to carry in the rucksack, fill water bottles, add rehydration tablets, pack suitcases, transfer to van, make sure all electronic devices have been charged for the day, programme sav nav, (or as it has been named ‘sh*t

nav’ on account of the number of times it has told us the wrong way to go, or even better than that when we need it, shut down).  Try and eat breakfast, usually full fat, back to room, final checks, then exit room, find bikes, cycle to morning briefing, usually the start point, find out the plan for the day and then make the first pedal rotation of the day.

My life has become quite simple – to turn a blue line into a purple one.  On the ‘sh*t nav’, the blue line represents where you have come from, the purple your route ahead.  The day’s objective is simple - Turn the blue into the purple until there is no more purple and then stop.

The first ‘brew’ stop is after around 15 – 20 miles.  This first section is usually hard as it takes that time to wake the body up and get everything warm.  The next section is before lunch and is usually easy.  Lunch is a buffet or similar at a pub and is the highlight of the day, usually a beautiful quintessential English pub stop and lots of good social interaction, mainly based on the cycling so far.  The section after lunch is the graveyard shift, again hard to get started but we’ve noticed you get moving quicker than for the morning session.  Then we stop for the afternoon ‘brew’ stop, a welcome rest, then off for the final leg which is easy, the ‘home straight’.  Then find accommodation, recovery shake, stretches, shower, recovery trousers on, sort out kit, wash stuff, find some food and drink and get to bed early.  That is the daily routine, and we’re starting to make it slick…

Anyway today was fun and we both enjoyed it – we were going to see the family so we both looking forward to the day, also we knew the area as we were close to home.  Glastonbury was left in sunshine, and we past through Wells, apparently the smallest city in Great Britain.  The cathedral is wonderful, the toilets a welcome stop.  Then on to Bristol.  We had a few navigation problems through Bristol it is fair to say.  Also raining, our first rain of the tour.  Lost about an hour, but did succeed with the help of one of Peak Tours excellent team, Johnny, who rounded us all up and steered us through.  Over Clifton suspension bridge, stunning views and then we headed off for the lunch stop.  We were cheered in by Cass and Roy (Smith) some very good friends of ours, which was a) a surprise and b) very much appreciated.  Most of the rest of the group had been and gone by then, so a quick lunch and off again.  Now started raining pretty hard, actually I don’t mind it, it was still pretty warm and the bike seems to move faster in the rain, maybe less friction or more propensity to get there quicker, not sure.   

We crossed the Severn Bridge in soaking weather, couldn’t see the tops of the towers as they were in cloud, but hey a new country, Wales we had just entered.  Really starting to head north now.

On the other side we were met by Maureen (Michaela’s mum) Dan (12 year old son) and Ben (16 soon to be 17 year old son).  Despite the rain, Dan more than happily cycled the last section with us into Monmouth and as usual his uplifting and motivational presence helped enormously.  When he found out that at each ‘brew’ stop, you can eat as much snack food as you want, whilst eating three Jaffa cakes, he declared that he wanted to do the whole thing.

It was an easy cycle into Monmouth, and a nice dinner with family, and celebration Ben’s birthday, which sadly we won’t be with him for on 16^th.

We hardly saw Stefan all day, I think he went for it today, did it really fast to avoid the rain.  Hope he feels OK.

We have now done around 260 miles, already more than a quarter of the trip done.  We both generally feeling OK, bodies are adjusting and hey we made it out of Devon and Cornwall – those hills area killer!  Tomorrow an easy day – life isn’t too bad.

Route and photos to follow - having connection problems!

Day 4 Wednesday 13th – Yippee! Glastonbury to Monmouth

Day 4 – Yippee!  Glastonbury to Monmouth

Well woke up this morning after drinking loads during the night and not much consistent sleep with, but still have a headache.  Not sure what’s going on here, however bum feeling better!  So it was off to breakfast and another full English and paracetamol…

Here’s how the daily routine for us has become.  Get up around 7 am.  Bath/shower and generally try and convince the body that it is in fact daytime and it needs to be up. Roller legs (yes you were right Nicola it does make a difference!) - sort out kit, choose clothes for the day, what to carry in the rucksack, fill water bottles, add rehydration tablets, pack suitcases, transfer to van, make sure all electronic devices have been charged for the day, programme sav nav, (or as it has been named ‘sh*t

nav’ on account of the number of times it has told us the wrong way to go, or even better than that when we need it, shut down).  Try and eat breakfast, usually full fat, back to room, final checks, then exit room, find bikes, cycle to morning briefing, usually the start point, find out the plan for the day and then make the first pedal rotation of the day.

My life has become quite simple – to turn a blue line into a purple one.  On the ‘sh*t nav’, the blue line represents where you have come from, the purple your route ahead.  The day’s objective is simple - Turn the blue into the purple until there is no more purple and then stop.

The first ‘brew’ stop is after around 15 – 20 miles.  This first section is usually hard as it takes that time to wake the body up and get everything warm.  The next section is before lunch and is usually easy.  Lunch is a buffet or similar at a pub and is the highlight of the day, usually a beautiful quintessential English pub stop and lots of good social interaction, mainly based on the cycling so far.  The section after lunch is the graveyard shift, again hard to get started but we’ve noticed you get moving quicker than for the morning session.  Then we stop for the afternoon ‘brew’ stop, a welcome rest, then off for the final leg which is easy, the ‘home straight’.  Then find accommodation, recovery shake, stretches, shower, recovery trousers on, sort out kit, wash stuff, find some food and drink and get to bed early.  That is the daily routine, and we’re starting to make it slick…

Anyway today was fun and we both enjoyed it – we were going to see the family so we both looking forward to the day, also we knew the area as we were close to home.  Glastonbury was left in sunshine, and we past through Wells, apparently the smallest city in Great Britain.  The cathedral is wonderful, the toilets a welcome stop.  Then on to Bristol.  We had a few navigation problems through Bristol it is fair to say.  Also raining, our first rain of the tour.  Lost about an hour, but did succeed with the help of one of Peak Tours excellent team, Johnny, who rounded us all up and steered us through.  Over Clifton suspension bridge, stunning views and then we headed off for the lunch stop.  We were cheered in by Cass and Roy (Smith) some very good friends of ours, which was a) a surprise and b) very much appreciated.  Most of the rest of the group had been and gone by then, so a quick lunch and off again.  Now started raining pretty hard, actually I don’t mind it, it was still pretty warm and the bike seems to move faster in the rain, maybe less friction or more propensity to get there quicker, not sure.   

We crossed the Severn Bridge in soaking weather, couldn’t see the tops of the towers as they were in cloud, but hey a new country, Wales we had just entered.  Really starting to head north now.

On the other side we were met by Maureen (Michaela’s mum) Dan (12 year old son) and Ben (16 soon to be 17 year old son).  Despite the rain, Dan more than happily cycled the last section with us into Monmouth and as usual his uplifting and motivational presence helped enormously.  When he found out that at each ‘brew’ stop, you can eat as much snack food as you want, whilst eating three Jaffa cakes, he declared that he wanted to do the whole thing.

It was an easy cycle into Monmouth, and a nice dinner with family, and celebration Ben’s birthday, which sadly we won’t be with him for on 16^th.

We hardly saw Stefan all day, I think he went for it today, did it really fast to avoid the rain.  Hope he feels OK.

We have now done around 260 miles, already more than a quarter of the trip done.  We both generally feeling OK, bodies are adjusting and hey we made it out of Devon and Cornwall – those hills area killer!  Tomorrow an easy day – life isn’t too bad.

Route and photos to follow - having connection problems!

Day 4 Wednesday 13th – Yippee! Glastonbury to Monmouth

Day 4 – Yippee!  Glastonbury to Monmouth

Well woke up this morning after drinking loads during the night and not much consistent sleep with, but still have a headache.  Not sure what’s going on here, however bum feeling better!  So it was off to breakfast and another full English and paracetamol…

Here’s how the daily routine for us has become.  Get up around 7 am.  Bath/shower and generally try and convince the body that it is in fact daytime and it needs to be up. Roller legs (yes you were right Nicola it does make a difference!) - sort out kit, choose clothes for the day, what to carry in the rucksack, fill water bottles, add rehydration tablets, pack suitcases, transfer to van, make sure all electronic devices have been charged for the day, programme sav nav, (or as it has been named ‘sh*t

nav’ on account of the number of times it has told us the wrong way to go, or even better than that when we need it, shut down).  Try and eat breakfast, usually full fat, back to room, final checks, then exit room, find bikes, cycle to morning briefing, usually the start point, find out the plan for the day and then make the first pedal rotation of the day.

My life has become quite simple – to turn a blue line into a purple one.  On the ‘sh*t nav’, the blue line represents where you have come from, the purple your route ahead.  The day’s objective is simple - Turn the blue into the purple until there is no more purple and then stop.

The first ‘brew’ stop is after around 15 – 20 miles.  This first section is usually hard as it takes that time to wake the body up and get everything warm.  The next section is before lunch and is usually easy.  Lunch is a buffet or similar at a pub and is the highlight of the day, usually a beautiful quintessential English pub stop and lots of good social interaction, mainly based on the cycling so far.  The section after lunch is the graveyard shift, again hard to get started but we’ve noticed you get moving quicker than for the morning session.  Then we stop for the afternoon ‘brew’ stop, a welcome rest, then off for the final leg which is easy, the ‘home straight’.  Then find accommodation, recovery shake, stretches, shower, recovery trousers on, sort out kit, wash stuff, find some food and drink and get to bed early.  That is the daily routine, and we’re starting to make it slick…

Anyway today was fun and we both enjoyed it – we were going to see the family so we both looking forward to the day, also we knew the area as we were close to home.  Glastonbury was left in sunshine, and we past through Wells, apparently the smallest city in Great Britain.  The cathedral is wonderful, the toilets a welcome stop.  Then on to Bristol.  We had a few navigation problems through Bristol it is fair to say.  Also raining, our first rain of the tour.  Lost about an hour, but did succeed with the help of one of Peak Tours excellent team, Johnny, who rounded us all up and steered us through.  Over Clifton suspension bridge, stunning views and then we headed off for the lunch stop.  We were cheered in by Cass and Roy (Smith) some very good friends of ours, which was a) a surprise and b) very much appreciated.  Most of the rest of the group had been and gone by then, so a quick lunch and off again.  Now started raining pretty hard, actually I don’t mind it, it was still pretty warm and the bike seems to move faster in the rain, maybe less friction or more propensity to get there quicker, not sure.   

We crossed the Severn Bridge in soaking weather, couldn’t see the tops of the towers as they were in cloud, but hey a new country, Wales we had just entered.  Really starting to head north now.

On the other side we were met by Maureen (Michaela’s mum) Dan (12 year old son) and Ben (16 soon to be 17 year old son).  Despite the rain, Dan more than happily cycled the last section with us into Monmouth and as usual his uplifting and motivational presence helped enormously.  When he found out that at each ‘brew’ stop, you can eat as much snack food as you want, whilst eating three Jaffa cakes, he declared that he wanted to do the whole thing.

It was an easy cycle into Monmouth, and a nice dinner with family, and celebration Ben’s birthday, which sadly we won’t be with him for on 16^th.

We hardly saw Stefan all day, I think he went for it today, did it really fast to avoid the rain.  Hope he feels OK.

We have now done around 260 miles, already more than a quarter of the trip done.  We both generally feeling OK, bodies are adjusting and hey we made it out of Devon and Cornwall – those hills area killer!  Tomorrow an easy day – life isn’t too bad.

Route and photos to follow - having connection problems!