Day 4 Thursday 18th Aug Bridgewater to Tintern 70 Miles

Today we would cross the river Severn!
We gathered after breakfast to hear today's briefing. The forecast today was a little better and we may even get some sunshine later in the day.
It was still raining when we left the Premier Inn and we soon caught up with Dave and Jenny who had left a couple of minutes earlier. We had to cycle along the busy A38 out of town and as it was rush hour not a pleasant experience. We crossed over the M5 then turned sharp left to PURITON along quieter country lanes into the Somerset Levels. We missed a turn and doubled back, caught Jenny and Dave up again, so we slowed up for a little chat then sped on. I was feeling a little guilty about splitting the girls up. We had spoken about it last night and although Jenny was cool about it. I think she is a little pissed off. Jane and I also had a discussion about riding with each other. The gist of it being that if at any time either of us would like to cycle with the others it would be fine. Although we are getting on very well at the moment and I'm certainly enjoying her company and pace. So on we went together. Not even a sniff of a hill until we get to Cheddar Gorge 17 miles into the ride. Or Cheddar George as Dave would say!
By now it had started to chuck it down as we began the climb up the gorge. So we had to contend with a stream of water running down the road as well as the climb. Not Ideal. Parts of the gorge are quite steep but mainly just a slow slog on the saddle. When we got to the top it was a little exposed and we had a bit of a head on wind to deal with as well. Which made for slow progress for the next 5 miles.
Eventually we reached the other side and the rain abated, so we stopped for a photo of the views down to the CHEW VALLEY LAKE. We descended on narrow lanes through REGIL and WINFORD crossing the A38 down to the Avon-mouth at EASTON-IN-GORDAN. Where we stopped at the first pub we saw for lunch. Thoroughly soaked.
Views to CHEW VALLEY LAKE



Apart from an elderly couple we were the only one's in the pub. The old boy was particularly chatty, spreading his pearls of wisdom about the Worzels being from round these parts.. Quite Bazaar!
The young barman served us up a lovely large bowl of pea soup(trust me it was delicious) a coffee for me and a pot of tea for Jane. We lingered  for about 45 mins, then donned our wet gear and set off for the river.
Being the fool I am, I thought the Avon mouth crossing was the river Severn. A joke that Jane would share with me (at me) for the next two weeks. It was another 17 miles of suburban cycling before we reached that particular target. We eventually got to the bridge at 2.30 after having to go on a diverted route adding 3 miles onto our 70. The rest of the group ignored it and carried their bikes over the workers fence.
My first ever crossing over the Severn on a bike so I was quite excited, so took some more photo's. What
made me laugh though was the 15mph speed warning for cyclists. Too windy up there to get any sort of speed up.

Severn Cycle Path with speed Warning!

Having traversed the bridge we followed the A466 towards CHEWPSTOW. I was feeling tired by now and was struggling to keep up with the pace. As we climbed past  the racecourse and I was getting seriously tired and wasn't helped by the sight of Jane disappearing into the distance. However as I reached the top the sun made a rare appearance,  instantly lifting my mood as I started the long descent down to TINTERN along the Wye Valley. It was a welcome rest as I was pretty much spent. The drop through the valley started 6 miles before Tintern, but just went on and on. I soon realised that it must be downhill all the way to the hotel. Wonderful!

Into Wales!

We stopped at the beautiful relic of Tintern Abbey a 12th century ruin with it's amazing pillars, archways and huge nave. We rolled into Tintern at 4pm. I was particularly pleased to see the WYE VALLEY HOTEL looked a class above the previous two stops. We congratulated each other on reaching Wales and went our different ways. Jane staying opposite at the Parva Farmhouse.

Tintern Abbey

I was greeted by the hostess with the mostess Sue, who produced a bucket of warm water and an old beer towel so I could clean off the days filth from the bike. Before storing it in the laundry room for the night.

My room was wonderful and I was soon washed and changed and downstairs in the bar! Where I had a chat with a South African couple who were touring the UK. Five weeks travelling, he said and I wish we had stayed in Wales, so beautiful.
Jane arrived shortly afterwards and we enjoyed another drink and were finally joined by the rest at about 5.30.
The Evening went well. Pete who was close to giving up last night seemed to have settled down into the ride today and was in a better frame of mind , committing to soldier on.(Well done Caroline).
Everyone else in our group of eight ( couldn't tell you about 'The Posh' because we don't see them. They chose not to eat with us again tonight,strange bunch) was tired but in a happy frame of mind.We had put the toughest days behind us and the prospect of a relatively flat couple of days had lifted the mood. Add to that the sun finally making an appearance, we were in a good place.
Jenny,Jane ,Tony and Ken joined us after their meal at the Parva Farmhouse. Tony assuring us of a great days cycling tomorrow.. You can view today's route on this link.


http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/167722598

Jenny and Jane at the Wye Valley Hotel Tintern