Tintern to St Briavels.

A note for future lejog people, once you turn off the main road after Tintern, the wee roads are somewhat confusing. i missed the first turnoff because it looked like someone’s driveway. Then i got very confused as to where i was and had to plump for carrying on up and down hills in the hope i’d hit the main b road. which, i eventually did.
Turns out, Google Maps satellite view is great for revisiting and analysing your mistakes!

The best laid plans




The best laid plans

Originally uploaded by Andrew Birkett

Due north for the next 5 map pages!
I’ve reworked my plans a bit. Partly to get to places on days when my family can make it along for meetups, but mostly because the longer days i’d planned for the next few stages just don’t look sane given my typical days so far. And of course, who knows what the weather will do! So, here’s the revised plan.
Sat, Ross on Wye to Much Wenlock.
Sun, to Middlewich
Mon, to Whalley
Tue, to Kendal
Wed, to Gretna
I dug around on the gps last night and found that its route point memory is full with 10 routes containing 50 points. I’m sure the internet said it stored 20 routes and 50 points. Regardless, shame on me for not verifying. Still, i’m very glad i bought a good waterproof map case, because it means i can bungee it to the bike rack and check it fairly easily. Not as good as a bar bag, but i didn’t want one of them – another bag to lug, no space on bars anyway. It’s been rained on lots, and maps are still dry. Still miss the gps a lot, though it’s still been a big help even just in track mode.

Another day, another county

Made it to the bnb in Ross on Wye. Of course, the moment i stopped, the rain stopped too, grr. Psychologically, i’m a bit frustrated about the weather-based change of plan. I feel fine, and could do many more miles today but after yesterdays soaking, and similar downpours today near Tintern, i need to dry out. On one hand, i tell myself that it’ll be good to have a half days rest. But on the other hand, i don’t really need or want a rest stop. I’ve cycled nearly 300 miles in the last 4.5 days, but energywise i’ve been in a pretty steady state since day one. Still, i’m glad i left Chepstow and did at least some distance today – only 30 miles but that’s 30 more miles done regardless.

From yesterday




From yesterday

Originally uploaded by Andrew Birkett

The severn bridge, in awful weather yesterday. I followed the signs of the cycle path over the bridge which somehow took me to the path on the faraway west side, as opposed to the east side i approached from. On the other side, it’s not at all obvious where to go. It’s all motorway and fast roads, much like the forth bridge.
What else happened yesterday? I thought i’d make much better progress without big hills, but the weather and some wrong turnings put paid to that. On my ride to work i do maybe 14mph average. On long but non stop training rides it was 12mph or 9mph against a strong gale. But, including meal stops, and many navigation stops i’m managing about 7.5mph overall. When i’m moving, the average speed is about 10.5. But all the stops add up in a big way.
Ho hum, downpour has finished. I’m going to wait for a bit to let the water drain a bit and see how things look.