Today started off with the best breakfast so far, even fresh honeycomb (which we were very excited about as we thought it was local - turned out it was from New Zealand!). The Old School Bed and Breakfast was fantastic and gets a big thumbs up from all of us. Thank you also for a donation to the BLF. Reassured that the journey was flat and mainly downhill, we set off early and were determined that we could be in Bristol by lunchtime. As always, it turned out we spent most of the time puffing up hills... Do people deliberately lie to us?
Despite the hills, there is some lovely cycling along the Wye Valley. We stopped in Tintern, Matt and Dumpy went off to find a place to water the plants, Dave came back with a big smile and Matt came back with muddy knees?? As it turned out, Matt had fallen face first off a wall into a graveyard... Maybe it's God striking you down Matt?
We arrived at the Old Severn Bridge, all quite excited, all except for Mark who was complaining of a very sore bum. He is convinced he has a neuroma at an intimate location. Blogster thinks this is unlikely, since he spent the night in a kingsize double with Mike (who would have noticed)
Matt, back in his old stomping ground, was convinced he knew the way back home... he didn't. We cycled through a massive industrial estate populated by enormous articulated lorries. Then we got lost. Fortunately, a very nice lad pointed us back to the main road and took a photo of Delilah. Embarassingly, Matt spoke to him in his finest Bristolian accent.... We don't fit in Matt, we're on a 4 person bike.
We survived the lorries and Bridge Valley Road (really steep but surprisingly easy climb under the Clifton Suspension Bridge) and arrived early to our "Roadshow". We had a quick coffee and then pretended to arrive on time. We were met by many well-wishers - people involved with the British Lung Foundation in Bristol, Matt's mum, Mike's parents, assorted relatives and Uncle Bob. The reception was amazing, everyone was very supportive and interested in the trip. It was great to meet some of the people we are doing this ride for.
We then set off to Matt's parents and retired to the outdoor jacuzzi... this cycling lark is hard. Dinner by Mother Prime was splendid and we are now all fatted and layed out on the sofa.
Tomorrow, we set off for the final run in. Saviour is back, fresh from his Irish excesses.
Roll on thursday and the champagne-Charlie lifestyle
PS. Thanks to all the staff of the British Lung Foundation in Bristol and the well-wishers.
PPS. Thanks to Prof Spiro & Dr Spiro for driving down to Bristol to support us and also for telling us that when Mike was a child his main friend was Chippy the Chipmonk who lived on the top of a hill. It's nice to see that your parents pick on you more than we do.
PPPS. Thanks to Mr & Mrs Lambert for driving the support van all the way from Cheshire to Bristol.
Today distance: 54 Miles
Total distance: 698 Miles
Today ascent: 1250 metres
Total ascent: 10412 metres
Despite the hills, there is some lovely cycling along the Wye Valley. We stopped in Tintern, Matt and Dumpy went off to find a place to water the plants, Dave came back with a big smile and Matt came back with muddy knees?? As it turned out, Matt had fallen face first off a wall into a graveyard... Maybe it's God striking you down Matt?We arrived at the Old Severn Bridge, all quite excited, all except for Mark who was complaining of a very sore bum. He is convinced he has a neuroma at an intimate location. Blogster thinks this is unlikely, since he spent the night in a kingsize double with Mike (who would have noticed)
Matt, back in his old stomping ground, was convinced he knew the way back home... he didn't. We cycled through a massive industrial estate populated by enormous articulated lorries. Then we got lost. Fortunately, a very nice lad pointed us back to the main road and took a photo of Delilah. Embarassingly, Matt spoke to him in his finest Bristolian accent.... We don't fit in Matt, we're on a 4 person bike.We survived the lorries and Bridge Valley Road (really steep but surprisingly easy climb under the Clifton Suspension Bridge) and arrived early to our "Roadshow". We had a quick coffee and then pretended to arrive on time. We were met by many well-wishers - people involved with the British Lung Foundation in Bristol, Matt's mum, Mike's parents, assorted relatives and Uncle Bob. The reception was amazing, everyone was very supportive and interested in the trip. It was great to meet some of the people we are doing this ride for.
We then set off to Matt's parents and retired to the outdoor jacuzzi... this cycling lark is hard. Dinner by Mother Prime was splendid and we are now all fatted and layed out on the sofa.
Tomorrow, we set off for the final run in. Saviour is back, fresh from his Irish excesses.
Roll on thursday and the champagne-Charlie lifestyle
PS. Thanks to all the staff of the British Lung Foundation in Bristol and the well-wishers.
PPS. Thanks to Prof Spiro & Dr Spiro for driving down to Bristol to support us and also for telling us that when Mike was a child his main friend was Chippy the Chipmonk who lived on the top of a hill. It's nice to see that your parents pick on you more than we do.
PPPS. Thanks to Mr & Mrs Lambert for driving the support van all the way from Cheshire to Bristol.
Today distance: 54 Miles
Total distance: 698 Miles
Today ascent: 1250 metres
Total ascent: 10412 metres
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