LEJOG
Sorry to say that the Ride and Blog have come to a premature end with the death of my father this morning. Luckily I saw him yesterday on my rest day in Cheshire. Not sure whether i will carry on but Andy is so good luck to him.
Gloucester to Worcester 61.7 kms
Terrible internet speed here. Short day but hit the wall. Physically and mentally exhausted so no post till tomorrow. Sorry
The river Severn in Worcester.
BRISTOL TO GLOUCESTER 80 KMS
Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” — Charles M. Schultz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip
Cannot believe we have been so lucky with the weather with another sunny day. Flattish ride apart from a few climbs out of Bristol. Lovely countryside again with canal paths making interesting riding.
Berkeley, an old Saxon town was a classic old English town with castle, although it was not open to the public.
Glastonbury to Bristol. 59.6 kms
Flattish 20 kms to the smallest city in UK. Wells. Lovely cathedral and old houses.
The big deal for today was the climb into the Mendip Hills which started at 22kms just after Wookey Hole. It was very tough with some walking. Unfortunately there was a drizzle mist so no visibility or photos from the top.
The gradient rose to 19% at one stage, so hardest climb so far.
Weather improved as we got closer to Bristol. Stopped at a nice pub for a late lunch run by a couple of Aussies. Got lost in Bristol but eventually found the Hotel which had cheap deals on today.
Met up with Pete and Pat Maczimczk for a lovely dinner at Galssboat Brasserie on the river Avon. Thanks to them for coming to meet us from Weston Super Mare.
Dulverton to Glastonbury 103 kms
Saying of the day
It’s only a hill, get over it.
Tim Badger
Wifi here terrible so apologies for short blog.
Stopped at Taunton for lunch. Met up with American cyclist who we had met before. They clearly dont like being beaten as were off very quickly.
Long slog by the end but relieved by canal section from 40 to 80 kms.
Glastonbury apparently is full of alternative lifestylers, psychics and people who like witchcraft.
Had a nice meal though at an Italian restaurant.
Day 6 Barnstable to Dulverton 43kms
Saying of the day.
When my legs hurt, I say: “Shut up legs! Do what I tell you to do! JENS VOIGT. Professional cyclist
After a lovely stay at Coombe farm with a huge breakfast set off up hill. And up and up towards Exmoor. Wild horses and sheep on the road side. Magnificent views on a lovely day but hazy for photos.
Maybe Andy and I have seen the "light" as we once again found a church coffee morning notice on road side. Went in and they were very welcoming, chatty group of ladies offered us coffee and biscuits. We gave them a donation but they didn't want it. Told them we were cycling LEJOG. One of them said they knew someone who had done it in a tractor but most had hardly been out of the village.
Meet up with some fellow cyclists near the summit but we all thought it was down hill from there but the Sustrans book lies again.
Arrived in Dilverton with shaky legs. Showered and went for Devon cream tea although I think we are in Somerset as a late lunch.
LEJOG DAY 5 Bude to Barnstable
Pleasant stay at a pub in Bude last night with a big cooked breakfast to start a long day. Chilly overcast weather but no rain.
We ended up doing 83 kms as accommodation was the other side of Barnstable.
Hilly start with early leg aches having not recovered from yesterday. Crossed from Cornwall into Devon. About halfway we reached a lovely village of Sheepwash. Great sandwiches at the pub.
After a couple more hills reach the Tarka trail.
Stretching for over 52km / 32 miles from Braunton to Barnstaple, then to Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington and on to Meeth. Entirely traffic-free, this section of the “Devon Coast to Coast” is known as the Tarka Cycle Trail as it follows the journey of Tarka the Otter in the classic tale written by Henry Williamson.
Arrived at a beautiful farmhouse for the night. Great cooking and accomadation st Coombe Farm.
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