Punctures: 2
Accidents: 0
New cyclists joining the group: Neil, Neil (Walton) Tony and Paul
After a good nights sleep we gorged on porridge and beans on toast (expertly prepared by Matt and Marek) before departing for our quest to get to Bath. The hotel at Holswothy was at the bottom of two hills. The first we came down on Day 1 but, unfortunately, we would have to climb the second at the beginning of day 2. This wasn't the ideal start to the day but we pushed on and we were soon making good time. Then came the first major challenge - a 25% hill. It reared up in front of us, tempting us to get off and walk. However, with the sun shining and our bellies' full we would not be beaten. And the best part was that, once we had ascended this beast of a 'mountain', we would find fantastic fast rolling roads. We motored on, riding like the pro-peleton. Stopping for nothing and no one.
Having made good time in the morning we stopped for an early lunch in a nice looking pub. This was a real treat as previous coffee stops had consisted of a tired and tatty looking petrol station and a cafe where the mentally infirm were welcome and well catered for. It was at lunch that we realised we were one cyclist down - Paul Black of LCP fame. Apparently, he'd had a puncture earlier which he had fixed with his regulation issue spare tube, but had then had a second and no tube to replace it. So, driver extrodinare and all round good egg, Fu Manchu, was dispatched to rescue Paul from a long (long) walk to Bath.
The afternoon's cycling didn't fare so well. The sun was still shining and we covered some miles but we just could not seem to connect with Mr Manchu. With water bottles empty and people nursing tired limbs, tempers were starting to fray. Eventually after several stops, numerous phonecalls and a modicum of swearing we found him - coffee in hand strolling up to the van as we baked in the sun. In fairness it wasn't really his fault. As a group we were always changing plans, taking detours and generally faffing. However, this didn't prevent us taking our frustration out on him. Craig and I explained and apologised over a few cold beers later that night and we were all friends again. Its a thankless task being the driver to a bunch of 'high maintenance' cyclists.
The night's accommodation was at Bath Uni campus looking down on the picturesque city (or is it a town?) of Bath. We found it without too much stress and checked in to our student rooms. Things have clearly changed from when I was a student as they were equiped with all the mod cons and even 'The White Company' shower gel and shampoo - poncey! After hot showers all round we headed in to Bath to enjoy neverending tapas, cold beer and welcome some new cyclist to our fold. A brilliant day in the saddle and another 110 miles nearer to John O'Groats. Tommorrow, Bath to Shrewbury and the longest day with 120 miles to cover. Eek!
Accidents: 0
New cyclists joining the group: Neil, Neil (Walton) Tony and Paul
After a good nights sleep we gorged on porridge and beans on toast (expertly prepared by Matt and Marek) before departing for our quest to get to Bath. The hotel at Holswothy was at the bottom of two hills. The first we came down on Day 1 but, unfortunately, we would have to climb the second at the beginning of day 2. This wasn't the ideal start to the day but we pushed on and we were soon making good time. Then came the first major challenge - a 25% hill. It reared up in front of us, tempting us to get off and walk. However, with the sun shining and our bellies' full we would not be beaten. And the best part was that, once we had ascended this beast of a 'mountain', we would find fantastic fast rolling roads. We motored on, riding like the pro-peleton. Stopping for nothing and no one.
Having made good time in the morning we stopped for an early lunch in a nice looking pub. This was a real treat as previous coffee stops had consisted of a tired and tatty looking petrol station and a cafe where the mentally infirm were welcome and well catered for. It was at lunch that we realised we were one cyclist down - Paul Black of LCP fame. Apparently, he'd had a puncture earlier which he had fixed with his regulation issue spare tube, but had then had a second and no tube to replace it. So, driver extrodinare and all round good egg, Fu Manchu, was dispatched to rescue Paul from a long (long) walk to Bath.The afternoon's cycling didn't fare so well. The sun was still shining and we covered some miles but we just could not seem to connect with Mr Manchu. With water bottles empty and people nursing tired limbs, tempers were starting to fray. Eventually after several stops, numerous phonecalls and a modicum of swearing we found him - coffee in hand strolling up to the van as we baked in the sun. In fairness it wasn't really his fault. As a group we were always changing plans, taking detours and generally faffing. However, this didn't prevent us taking our frustration out on him. Craig and I explained and apologised over a few cold beers later that night and we were all friends again. Its a thankless task being the driver to a bunch of 'high maintenance' cyclists.
The night's accommodation was at Bath Uni campus looking down on the picturesque city (or is it a town?) of Bath. We found it without too much stress and checked in to our student rooms. Things have clearly changed from when I was a student as they were equiped with all the mod cons and even 'The White Company' shower gel and shampoo - poncey! After hot showers all round we headed in to Bath to enjoy neverending tapas, cold beer and welcome some new cyclist to our fold. A brilliant day in the saddle and another 110 miles nearer to John O'Groats. Tommorrow, Bath to Shrewbury and the longest day with 120 miles to cover. Eek!
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