The planned route worked pretty well but there were a few issues which I'll point out in case anyone attempts to copy them.
As a general comment, a lot of the route was on narrow country lanes that were rough in places and in Wales there were some rough, steep climbs and descents which needed care in the wet.
Day 2 just outside Tewkesbury one of the roads off the B4079 turned out to be a gated access road to a quarry. We'd noticed a signed NCN route a bit further back so turned around to follow that into Aston on Carrant but this turned into a farmyard, rough bridleway and then a field edge path complete with sheep. The NCN signs still pointed across the fields so we walked for a mile or so and re-joined our route.
Day 3 near the start in Churchill, the right turn off the B4450 turns into a bridleway. This was easily rectified by carrying on a bit further on the B4450 and turning right onto Old London Road.
There were a few other issues with bridleways, I can't remember where they all were, but they were easily navigated around by continuing on the main road.
The actual routes we took are linked below to Strava. There are a few bits missing where I forgot to re-start the Garmin after lunch/coffee stops.
Day 1 Day2 Day 3 Day 4
Saturday 6 July 2013
Wednesday 19 June 2013
More Photos Added
I've added a few more photos that Roger took on his phone. These have been added to each of the daily posts from the ride so scroll down and have a look. If you click on the photos it should bring them up in a larger view and you can click to move to the next one.
Thanks for all the messages of support and sponsorship.
Mike
Thanks for all the messages of support and sponsorship.
Mike
Sunday 16 June 2013
Day 4 - Great Chishill to Felixstowe
As there were only 70 miles to ride today we treated ourselves to the full English breakfast and set off a bit later than usual. Having eaten well last night it might well have been a bit too much as both of us could only just eat it all.
For a change we set off under blue skies and it was warm enough to wear short sleeves - welcome back to sunny East Anglia! We set off at a brisk pace and were soon passing Audley End House where we stopped for a photo opportunity.
We sped on through Essex and into Suffolk in what seemed like hardly any time at all. By 12.30 we were back on some familiar roads that we use on our Sunday rides and stopped for lunch at Kersey Mill near Hadleigh. Suitably refreshed we pushed on and just before 3.00 we rolled onto the seafront in Felixstowe.
We quickly dipped our wheels in the sea from the slipway before riding up to the Cliff Road car park where we were greeted by our cheering wives, children and friends. It was a great feeling to have completed the ride and it was great to see our families again. We were then plied with some beer, coffee/tea, chocolate cake and scones. It was a lovely end to our adventure.
In the coming days I'll add some more photos that Roger took along the way and will post some thoughts on how we though it went overall. For now though that's it. Thanks for reading.
Mike
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| Hall Farm B&B in Great Chishill |
We quickly dipped our wheels in the sea from the slipway before riding up to the Cliff Road car park where we were greeted by our cheering wives, children and friends. It was a great feeling to have completed the ride and it was great to see our families again. We were then plied with some beer, coffee/tea, chocolate cake and scones. It was a lovely end to our adventure.
In the coming days I'll add some more photos that Roger took along the way and will post some thoughts on how we though it went overall. For now though that's it. Thanks for reading.
Mike
Saturday 15 June 2013
Day 3 - Kingham to Great Chishill
Today we awoke to blue skies and a strong breeze but as per tradition on this trip we got soaked within the first 10 miles.
The rain soon cleared and once we were out of the Cotswolds the flatter terrain and tailwind allowed us to cover 47 miles in under 3 hours before we stopped for lunch at The Three Locks pub alongside the Grand Union Canal near Stoke Hammond. I was surprised how well the route had worked to take us around major towns on quiet roads with views across large swathes of central England.
As we packed up to leave, the rain started again and didn't stop for 2 hours. During this time we skirted the Chilterns and criss crossed Herts and Beds.
We were desperate for tea/coffee and cake but didn't pass any cafes. We eventually chanced upon a traditional rainy village fete in Wallington where we drew some strange looks in return for the price of two cakes (each). As we ate the sun came out and stayed with us for the last 15 miles to our B&B, drying us out nicely. We'd arrived much earlier than on previous days so had much more time to relax and wash our kit before heading off for our evening meal. This was the best one so far, a bit pricey but we feel we deserved it. The pub was the King William IV in Heydon.
Only 70 miles to ride tomorrow and we' re both looking forward to a warm welcome from our families.
Mike
The rain soon cleared and once we were out of the Cotswolds the flatter terrain and tailwind allowed us to cover 47 miles in under 3 hours before we stopped for lunch at The Three Locks pub alongside the Grand Union Canal near Stoke Hammond. I was surprised how well the route had worked to take us around major towns on quiet roads with views across large swathes of central England.
As we packed up to leave, the rain started again and didn't stop for 2 hours. During this time we skirted the Chilterns and criss crossed Herts and Beds.
We were desperate for tea/coffee and cake but didn't pass any cafes. We eventually chanced upon a traditional rainy village fete in Wallington where we drew some strange looks in return for the price of two cakes (each). As we ate the sun came out and stayed with us for the last 15 miles to our B&B, drying us out nicely. We'd arrived much earlier than on previous days so had much more time to relax and wash our kit before heading off for our evening meal. This was the best one so far, a bit pricey but we feel we deserved it. The pub was the King William IV in Heydon.
Only 70 miles to ride tomorrow and we' re both looking forward to a warm welcome from our families.
Mike
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| Sunset in Great Chishill |
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| On the last stretch of road to Great Chishill - finally some sun! |
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| On the last stretch of road to Great Chishill - finally some sun! |
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| On the last stretch of road to Great Chishill - finally some sun! |
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| Wallington Village Fete |
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| Wallington Village Fete |
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| Wallington Village Fete |
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| The Three Locks at Stoke Hammond |
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| Lunch at the The Three Locks pub at Stoke Hammond |
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| Lunch at the The Three Locks pub at Stoke Hammond |
Friday 14 June 2013
Day 2 - Brecon to Kingham nr Chipping Norton
As yesterday we awoke to grey skies. After a hearty breakfast of cereal, fruit and poached/scrambled eggs on toast we set off and within a few minutes it started raining. Proper rain this time and it went on for the first two hours.
We admired what we could see of the scenery but low cloud obscured most of the dramatic views.
There were more steep hills and sketchy descents where the bikes took a pounding on the rough roads. I can see why Brad Wiggins wimped out on the steep narrow descents in the Giro d' Italia.
The rain stopped shortly after we sneaked across an un-manned and un-marked border crossing near Hay on Wye. A pub at the bottom of another hary downhill made a welcome lunch stop - both of us having a very large bacon, brie and cranberry sandwich with chips. The warm sun in the pub garden also dried us out. Sadly we had to pass on the Sharps Doombar though.
At this point we still had nearly 60 miles to ride. The rain jackets were packed away for the first time and we rode in short sleeves for all of 30 minutes or so before the next downpour. Thankfully that was short lived and we had warm sunshine for the rest of the day.
There were two issues with the planned route, one requiring a mile walk through a field of sheep and one needing a detour to avoid a bridle way.
After nearly 90 miles, Stanway(?) hill on the way to Stow on the Wold was un-welcome, but the cream tea at the top was a well deserved reward.
After the last two days of rain and today's walk through a field of sheep the bikes were filthy and needed a good hose down when we reached our B&B.
A fantastic meal in the Kingham Plough rounded off a memorable day.
Now for some much needed sleep.
Mike
We admired what we could see of the scenery but low cloud obscured most of the dramatic views.
There were more steep hills and sketchy descents where the bikes took a pounding on the rough roads. I can see why Brad Wiggins wimped out on the steep narrow descents in the Giro d' Italia.
The rain stopped shortly after we sneaked across an un-manned and un-marked border crossing near Hay on Wye. A pub at the bottom of another hary downhill made a welcome lunch stop - both of us having a very large bacon, brie and cranberry sandwich with chips. The warm sun in the pub garden also dried us out. Sadly we had to pass on the Sharps Doombar though.
At this point we still had nearly 60 miles to ride. The rain jackets were packed away for the first time and we rode in short sleeves for all of 30 minutes or so before the next downpour. Thankfully that was short lived and we had warm sunshine for the rest of the day.
There were two issues with the planned route, one requiring a mile walk through a field of sheep and one needing a detour to avoid a bridle way.
After nearly 90 miles, Stanway(?) hill on the way to Stow on the Wold was un-welcome, but the cream tea at the top was a well deserved reward.
After the last two days of rain and today's walk through a field of sheep the bikes were filthy and needed a good hose down when we reached our B&B.
A fantastic meal in the Kingham Plough rounded off a memorable day.
Now for some much needed sleep.
Mike
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| Filthy bikes after two days of filthy weather |
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| The Bridleway that led to the fields ... |
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| The road taking us out of the Brecon Beacons |
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| Ponies on the road out of Brecon |
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| View from the road out of Brecon |
Thursday 13 June 2013
Day 1 - Fishguard to Brecon
We knew the weather forecast wasn't good but we woke to grey skies and wind. The Preseli hills were shrouded in mist and cloud.
We dipped our wheels in the sea and headed off. The climbing started within minutes as we headed up through Fishguard. As we rode towards Maenclochog the mist turned to drizzle and then rain, visibility was only about 50m. We were now wet and cold. We continued to Carmarthen on NCN route 47. As we arrived the rain eased and while we had lunch in a cafe the sun came out so we headed off on the second half of the journey.
The next 10 miles or so were along the reasonably flat and scenic B4300 towards Llanarthne and sunshine improved our mood and dried us out. The next section involved some serious climbing to Gwynfe and over the numerous long steep hills towards Brecon. The scenery was awesome though. I think the highest point we reached was 375m above sea level near the Usk reservoir.
Most of the descents were almost as challenging as the climbs - steep, narrow, rough and the fact that our brake pads could barely hold us back and were wearing away quickly due to the wet and dirt.
Just as it started to rain again we rode past the Red Kite feeding centre so called in to the cafe for a cake and coffee and to observe the tens of birds that were hanging around waiting for the next feed.
From here it was still 20 miles to Brecon and the rain started again but eased and then the sun came out for the last few miles.
Not sure how the photos will come out but here they are
We dipped our wheels in the sea and headed off. The climbing started within minutes as we headed up through Fishguard. As we rode towards Maenclochog the mist turned to drizzle and then rain, visibility was only about 50m. We were now wet and cold. We continued to Carmarthen on NCN route 47. As we arrived the rain eased and while we had lunch in a cafe the sun came out so we headed off on the second half of the journey.
The next 10 miles or so were along the reasonably flat and scenic B4300 towards Llanarthne and sunshine improved our mood and dried us out. The next section involved some serious climbing to Gwynfe and over the numerous long steep hills towards Brecon. The scenery was awesome though. I think the highest point we reached was 375m above sea level near the Usk reservoir.
Most of the descents were almost as challenging as the climbs - steep, narrow, rough and the fact that our brake pads could barely hold us back and were wearing away quickly due to the wet and dirt.
Just as it started to rain again we rode past the Red Kite feeding centre so called in to the cafe for a cake and coffee and to observe the tens of birds that were hanging around waiting for the next feed.
From here it was still 20 miles to Brecon and the rain started again but eased and then the sun came out for the last few miles.
Not sure how the photos will come out but here they are
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| View from a road near Brecon |
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| View over the hills around Usk Reservoir |
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| Panorama around Usk Reservoir |
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| On a climb somewhere towards Usk Reservoir |
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| View from the climb up to Gwynfe |
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| Add captionView from the climb up to Gwynfe |
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| View from the climb up to Gwynfe - one of the highest points of the day's route |
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| The Towy valley North of Carmarthen |
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| Leaving the seafront car park in Fishguard |
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| The view from my parents house towards the mist shrouded Preselli hills |
Tuesday 11 June 2013
The time is nearly upon us ...
So, the time has come. Tomorrow we'll be packing the bikes into a hire car and driving to Fishguard.
I've spent the evening refining my kit and packing it into the saddle bag. I know how much I weigh, I know how much the bike weighs and I know how much the loaded bag weighs - all of them surprisingly less than you might think. I've loaded the route maps onto my Garmin and I've also ripped six pages out of an old road atlas as back-up.
The weather forecast looked OK yesterday but now it looks like Thursday and Friday will be showery with strong westerly winds - at least the wind will help us along.
Throughout each day I'll try to post some updates with pictures via our Twitter account and then in the evening I'll try to write a blog post with some thoughts on the day and a few pictures. This is of course dependent on us finding some food to keep us in good humour and WiFi or mobile phone reception. I'm not sure how the blog updates from my phone will turn out so excuse any bad formatting and spelling.
Please also have a look at the fundraising link at the top of the right hand column on this page.
Mike
I've spent the evening refining my kit and packing it into the saddle bag. I know how much I weigh, I know how much the bike weighs and I know how much the loaded bag weighs - all of them surprisingly less than you might think. I've loaded the route maps onto my Garmin and I've also ripped six pages out of an old road atlas as back-up.
The weather forecast looked OK yesterday but now it looks like Thursday and Friday will be showery with strong westerly winds - at least the wind will help us along.
Throughout each day I'll try to post some updates with pictures via our Twitter account and then in the evening I'll try to write a blog post with some thoughts on the day and a few pictures. This is of course dependent on us finding some food to keep us in good humour and WiFi or mobile phone reception. I'm not sure how the blog updates from my phone will turn out so excuse any bad formatting and spelling.
Please also have a look at the fundraising link at the top of the right hand column on this page.
Mike
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