First thing out of Cheddar? Thé Cheddar Gorge. A beast at 16 per cent, especially when you’re carrying your own luggage. You wouldn’t want a full English breakfast before that would you? Gaz? It’s a stunning and dramatic climb, our favourite so far.
It will be Scotland before we encounter climbs that match it for splendour.
Apart from daily headwinds, the weather has been extremely kind to us. Full sunshine today and more of the same forecast for tomorrow. Over the Mendip Hills towards Bristol.
Under the Clifton Suspension Bridge we meet Mr Tickle’s mate….
No time to chat though. We’re headed into Wales over the Severn Bridge.
Lorries thunder across it, and the whole structure vibrates. Unnerving but fortunately there’s a beautifully surfaced cycle lane where you can ride safe.
Into the Wye Valley to Tintern Abbey.
It took 30 years to build - but only a few days for Henry VIII to destroy it. He plundered it’s valuables and stripped the roof of its lead. Legend has it, he then sold the lead to Trek so they could build Gaz’s bike. Refreshments at the adjacent inn, then the last rolling miles into Monmouth where we meet this chap.
Aviator and engineering pioneer Charles Rolls. Enough culture for one day, we head for the local Mexican to eat Burritos, watched by Sid James and Barbara Windsor.
And tomorrow, we Carry On Cycling. See what I did there?
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