from my trip diary originally
posted at Crazy Guy on a Bike
Day 16, Tintern Abbey to just outside Bridgwater, 70 miles
Tuesday September 20, 2016, 70 miles (113 km) - Total so far:
905 miles (1,457 km)
Quite a good day. I think this was the first day I got to experience the
classic "English" countryside. Small narrow lanes, hedgerows, quaint
houses and villages. AND NOT A LOT OF HILLS. They were out there, I
could see rolling meadows and farm land, but they didn't negatively
impact my ride.I'll later update this journal with the exact numbers.
Suffice it to say I followed cycle paths and minor roads. I took a
chance today and it paid off. Yesterday for instance at Craven Arms
before Ludlow I thought I'd get off the A49. Anyway I rode for a mile,
directions pulled me down a lane, and that baby was gut-wrenching. I
turned right around and rode with the trucks to Hereford.
After
lunch in Yatton at the Strawberry Cafe, I hopped on the Strawberry Line
for about 11.5 miles. It was lovely. Yes it was a bit slow with the
narrow points and hardpacked earth surface, about 8-9 mph, but I felt
like I was on a cycle tour.
The trail ended in Cheddar where
there was a bike shop (review forthcoming). Anyway, I had a few
problems, one of which the back wheel, understandably after being
punished for 2 weeks, was out of true. He also worked on my brakes. I
might have enough brake pad to make it to the end. The bike definitely
ran better. I think he gave me a break with the price. £11.20.
I
made it to Bridgwater about 5 pm. and looked for camping. Right now I'm
in someone's backyard. I know odd. But directions sent me to Follett
Farm, about a mile outside the town, and it feels very low-key and
strange. 70 miles.
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Severn Bridge, nearly a mile long, it spans the River Severn and River Wye |
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hedgerows |
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great use for old phonebooths, mini libraries! |
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Strawberry Line |
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Strawberry Line |
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Strawberry Line |
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Cheddar Gorge, the closest thing England has to a tourist trap |
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