Let’s go cycling

Well…it’s been almost three months, we’ve covered nearly 4000km on our bikes and over 40,000 metres of ascent in the UK and Ireland. Time to jump on a ferry and try a different language…

A randomly generated set of pics from the GoPro… ‘cos we just don’t ever seem to have time to do anything proper with the pictures we take!

One thing we have seen a lot of throughout the UK is hedgerows. These historic “fences”, some apparently predating Stonehenge, are a haven for wildlife and a wonderful source for foraging! One of Neil’s constant missions was to feed us with gathered wild strawberries, raspberries, bilberries, blackberries and hazelnuts along the way. Great snacks to keep us going up some of those hills!

28th July– 56km from Chepstow to Bath on a perfect cool day.

Tackled the huge bridge across the rivers Wye then Severn first up- quite an impressive structure, and this is the little one!

You’d think it would have been an easy ride to Bath- just a couple of moderate little ascents, nothing for even me to complain about. Somehow, it still took us most of the day to manage around 56km- we seemed to criss-cross the M4 (major motorway) more times than I’d like to count, and Komoot took us on a zigzagging route through a myriad of little roads that had us arguing about where we were supposed to be.

The second half of the ride was much more enjoyable- 20 something km on a rail trail, full of pedestrians and cyclists but very scenic (oh and very flat!!).

Bath is a charming city…we decided to take a rest day and have a couple of nights at the YMCA (yep, you heard right…). Neil’s found somewhere to try 12 different varieties of cider (not sure he’ll manage that) before heading further southwest toward England’s real cider country.

30th July, Bathurst to Glastonbury, 68km

Took us a bit to find the cycleway out of Bath but once we did it was a nice traffic free route for for much of the way.

A little but apparently very famous cidery- Wilkins Farm- was not too far off route and Neil was keen to try the traditional farmhouse cider. (Yeah… you can take the boy out of the farm but… the passion for cider production might be residual methinks ). Then cider explorations in Bath were a little disappointing- all very very sweet.  So we rocked up at Wilkins Farm with Neil’s last hope for a dry drop.  Dry it was! (Although the slight vinegary taste didn’t do much for me 💁‍♀️)

But it was worth the detour just for the character that was Roger Wilkins- we put him at 80 something, full of stories and full of life, despite (as per his stories) drinking cider daily from the tender age of 4.

Even managed to pick up a delicious chunk of Stilton for next to nothing.

The campsite for the night was a few km away at BobsField- with the most enthusiastic greeting we’ve experienced so far! Basic site but we’ll cared for and good value.  A 20 minute walk into Glastonbury and we discovered a “must try” Fish and chippery.  Also with cider (and thankfully other stuff, my cider tasting efforts were short-lived).

I believe this one rated 2nd on Neil’s Fish’n’chip scale.  Spiky batter. Cooked right side up- who knew that was even a thing???

31st July, Glastonbury to Tiverton, 90km

Mostly pretty flat but it still felt like a huge day with a lot of km covered.

Found a cheap but wonderful BnB in the centre of town and an even cheaper ‘Spoons across the road for a pint and some food!

1st August, Tiverton to somewhere near an express way.  57km and the hills have crept back in!

Not such enjoyable riding today as much was on busy roads or crossing major highways.  And a couple of hills, which you all know I love 😁

Didn’t get around to sorting accommodation before we left for the day so we ended up at a campsite on the way to Plymouth but a bit too close to the expressway. Plus it seems they charged extra for the noise? But it did have food so we opted for that and had a great value meal with lots of veg for a change!

2nd August, 46km a hop skip and a jump to Plymouth, and we’re all ready to catch the Ferry to Roscoff in the morning!

And that’s it...a mere slice of the UK and an even tinier slice of Ireland. We shall have to come back 🙂