Day 3, Monday 19th June 2000
100 miles a day in not Enough
We breakfasted in the faded grandeur of the Henbury Lodge Hotel. The AA
had, obviously, granted it its stars when valve TVs were all the rage.
As I made various excursions from my bed during the night I was
conscious of the creaking of every floorboard and the effect this may have on
my sleeping roommate. I need not have worried he slept through the
early morning call.
I discussed the best route to the "old" Severn Bridge with the
receptionist. (Old indeed I was at the opening). She directed us down past the
Avonmouth chemical plants this she considered made a pleasant bikeride.
Different strokes...
We eventually got to the bridge which has a cycle path. On the other
side of the bridge the bike path continues. If John Prescott is reading
this please save the money spent on these ghettoising jokes and do
something useful for cyclists like reducing the the non-motorway speed limit
to 20mph. OK readers rant over.
Best Bit So Far
The Wye valley is a beautiful place for the observer and also a
beautiful place to ride a bike. The road follows the river and so varies
little in elevation, in many places a canopy of trees makes a wonderful
shade on a blue sky day like today. We luxuriated in cycling heaven.
Celts hate them ignore them but you can't like them
Once in Monmouth we had a choice of route to Hereford so while Dave was
fulfilling his energy bar fetish in Holland & Barrett I accosted a
mature citizen as he browsed the estate agents window.
"Are you a local man?"
"Aye I am" he answered in a broad Scottish accent.
"We are cycling to Hereford and I'm a bit worried about the road that
says Unsuitable for Heavy Vehicles it usually means hills"
"No, there are no big hills. I can drive it in my car, you'll be OK"
Ignoring the non-sequitor we took his advice. The man was barking mad,
as soon as we exited the town we were in our lowest gears pumping fit
to bust.
I can only explain his ludicrous advice as a mixture of the meanness of
the Scots who would not pay for the extra petrol and the deviousness of
the Welsh who would give bad advice just for the fun of it.
In Hereford I had my picture taken by the United ground so I can taunt
any Leeds fans I come across.
We made our, by now, customary 3pm lunch stop just outside Ludlow.
Little Chef was the lucky recipient of our custom. As we ate we formed the
opinion that our original destination of Shrewsbury was not challenging
enough so I rang a booked a hotel in Hodnet 12 miles north of
Shrewsbury. I also rang my brother Rob who lives in Brum and arranged a meet at
the Bear at Hodnet for 7:30pm.
We made excellent progress up to Shrewsbury then got onto a series of
dual-carriageways which comprise the by-pass. Dave became concerned "Are
you sure we are on the right road?" I was confident because I knew
Hodnet was on the A49 so I was simply following signs for Whitchurch A49.
After hammering up the A49 for 11 miles and there being no sign of
Hodnet I thought a bit of confirming map reading was in order. Hodnet it
transpired was on the A53.
When we finally got to the Bear Rob had almost finished his second pint
he was tolerant of my incompetence and even took a look at my dodgy
derailieur. We had a super pub meal a few pints of organic bitter and then
hit the sack.
Stats
Dave 119.74 miles 8hrs 7mins 14.7mph Average 43mph Max
Will 118.64 miles 8hrs 0mins 14.8mph average 41.6mph max