Sat 27th June. On the Avon Trail heading toward the Clifton Suspension Bridge. We had a huge push out of the gorge.

Sat 27th June 09

Jill leaving Wales on the old Severn Crossing Bridge. The bridge actually vibrates with traffic.

Friday 26th June 09

Arrived in Abergavenny, drenched and happy.

Fri 26th June. Top of the Gospel Pass, it was soon to rain and rain and rain. But it was not cold.

Thurs 25 June 09

This is our lunch stop prior to the most heavenly descent I have ever done!!!! En route to Hay on Wye.

This is Jill on Thurs 25th pushing up The Riggles by The Radnor Forest.

On Tuesday the 30th June we rode again in soaring temperatures. We left Fremington just after 9am and rode along lovely cycle track, The Tarka Trail. This was so welcome after yesterdays pushing up big hills. It was also shady as much of the trail was in tree cover. We stopped at Great Torrington Cycle Hire for a cup of tea. We soon pushed on, along the same trail but had to negotiate our way through 850 school children and staff on the narrow path. They were on a sponsored walk!

We went onto Hatherley village on back roads. From there to Okehampton where we had to fill our water reservoirs and tried to drink as much as possible as by now we were sweating just standing still.

We still had 20 miles to go and within 15 miles had run out of water again. We stopped at a pub to fill up and ended up having a lovely snack of salmon and whitebait.

We rode 58 miles today.

I am feeling the strain now, the heat has got to me and I have had a water infection which has set me back. I got the infection on Sat 27th but am improving.

Jill on the other hand is just fine, she is strong and determined.

On Monday the 29th we went from Blue Anchor to Fremington. We had a big bridleway climb from Dunster and the most amazing bridleway descent to Wootton Courtney. We then went up to Dunkery Beacon, the first 1.15 hours was a push up the bridleway in blistering heat. We were able to ride the rest to the Beacon. A good flowing descent followed down to the road. We soon turned off onto another bridle way which was not so easy to ride. We then followed the Macmillan Way West which disappeared into nothing and saw us pushing over long thick grass for about two hours. We eventually hit the road again. Because this set us back we altered our route and headed for Fremington by back roads.

Hello readers, we are now at Launceston in Cornwall. Mileage to date is 1116 and I am feeling it.
the last three days have seen us pushing and riding in searing heat.
On Sunday the 28th we rode the Mendips into Cheddar Gorge from Bristol and then the Quantocks into Blue Anchor on the coast near Minehead. We got into Blue Anchor at 8.15 pm and stayed at one of the finest B&B's, The Langbury. It even had its own swimming pool, but we did not have time to enjoy it. Our hosts were exceptionally welcoming and accommodating.