18/09/11 - Day 6(5th riding day) We watched the rugby, well done England at least the last 20 minutes! Then having set off and got to the top of the biggest hill in North Zummerzet or wherever we are I realised I had forgotten the cycle compooter so had to ride 5 miles back to get it in the pouring rain! We should have known then and decided to call it a day but no we went on and eventually got to the summit of the Quantocks still persistently raining and blowing a gale and in cloud, we met several other idiots up there all wondering why they were there, but when we came down a little the views were fantastic nearly making the effort worthwhile. Out of the Quontacks and the terrain flattened out to Cheddar a quick cuppa then tackle the Gorge not up the road but up the side of course! Another mistake had to walk trails washed out took hours then we had to get over the Mendips which by comparison a doddle but by now it was getting dark and we struggled to find our way in to Bristol and at 25 miles an hour in the dark and rain is not the time to come off. but I did hurting the same leg again but added my hands to the growing list of injuries! We eventually found the campsite at 9pm. So far the worst day. 67.97 miles (283) SPURS 4 - liverpool 0!!
19/09/11 - Day 7(6th riding day) Had a lie in after yesterday started at 08:30 and guess what no rain! Plus lovely breakfast as we enjoy the delights of our new supporter Mr Gwaham. Great job Paul. Ride of of Bristol fantastic along estuary to Avonmouth (not fantastic) then over the old Seven Bridge into Sheepland. We rode up and down the valleys then had lunch in Usk, bought some chips and they kindly sponsored us on our trip. Then on to the Goetye canal and on in to Abergavenny by 4ish. So decided to carry on a little longer, wrong we should really learn. More unrideable stuff over Sugar Loaf, Black Mountains in the Brecon Park so steep and steeper and we would have fallen off backwards! 3 hours later arrived in Pandy and a lovely site with a lovely meal, popped out for a nightcap at the Pandy Inn to buy the chef a well earned glass of ale. 67.89 miles ( 349)
20/09/11 - Day 8 (7) Paul drove us back to where we left off last night in the Black Mountains - bit of a wake up call with a long climb up to a reservoir - beautiful country side but guess what - still raining! Got to dam at reservoir took the wrong track realised when we ran in to the water! Hiked up and out dragging bikes over barbed wire fence on to correct track only to find this was unrideable as well due to rain and erosion. Now in cloud and rain and wind again (there's a theme here me thinks) In the end we found a trail to Painscastle and arrived at about 3pm instead of noon. So carried on to meet Paul at Walton Court campsite. Arrived about 6 still raining cold wet and miserable but then met Glyn the farmer who owns the site who let us stay for free and gave us £20, suddenly felt better about things, thanks Glynn. Bike compooter had given up today but fixed it. 35 miles (384)
21/09/11 - Day 9 (8) 7:30 lovely clear skies start from Forest Inn climbed up and up to summit unbelievable views and the tracks all rideable, stunning countryside, no rain and we found our way, funny what you can do when you can see! However gears started playing up. Got to Craven Arms for lunch strange town but we found a bowls club and had lunch with the green keeper who was great and met a bloke from Croydon who wanted to talk about cycling! Left Craven Arms good climb out for long runs through woods then up to a ridge for a long ride again through trees to Wenlock Edge. Then after repairing a puncture made our way in to Much Wenlock found the campsite the motor home and Paul, now wearing a pinny and light make up. We think he's taking this home making a bit to seriously. John needs to have a word. 55.4 miles (440)
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