26 Sep: Day 3 Tiverton to Tintern

Day 3 finished and we are tired and hungry! This is despite Sarah eating a full English breakfast and regretting it for the next 15+ miles. Even so, our first 29 miles was at a cracking pace (set by 3 guys we got into a pack with) averaging about 19 miles an hour. This was on busy A roads such as the A38 and A39 - full of lorries and other people in a hurry, where it was impossible to talk let alone relax;  we could not wait to get off them. A day full of contrasts though as busy and hazardous was interspersed with sleepy, rolling country lanes where the main features were:

• peace
• single lane traffic with virtually no cars and high hedges
• wildlife - squirrels crossing, horses, sheep, goats and the odd dead rabbit
• cow and horse poo in the middle of the road
• remnants of cut hedge (great to avoid with road bikes)

Despite the map below- we still recorded 97 miles today, with an overall average speed of 13.6mph and ascents of 3972 feet. (can't get used to all this feet and miles stuff after so long in metric countries). 7 hours in the saddle.

We skipped the organised /official lunch stop and took in a detour ride through Cheddar Gorge.

Here we are outside the touristy part (on our first night Sarah won the best dressed woman award for her Bianchi outfit that matches her bike - the first time she has ever won an award for best dressed anything, other than fancy dress) and of course up the gorge, Sarah is cycling in front whilst Jo takes photos. We were there to meet up with Katie Dodd and to stop for a decent cup of coffee, huddled in Katie's car. We loved the coffee (thanks Katie - it was great to see you again and look forward to seeing your photos). Our aim each day is to find a decent cup of coffee; two out of 3 so far.

The afternoon was full of motorway and bridge crossing; across Avonmouth and across the Severn bridge. The local cycle paths here are very good but even so the Garmin navigator took us to an industrial estate outside Chepstow. There was a bit of backtracking and running across busy roads carrying our bikes. Eeek! but I should really expect this after 8 years of travel with Sarah.

So finally into Wales

Sarah has been trying out her Welsh accent but more practice is definitely required.
We are always happy and smiley each evening but not always the best dressed

(ICAN shirts and recovery skins, which are very effective - if you have not got any, get some!)
We are cycling for ICAN in case you cannot tell!
www.justgiving.com/Jo-Neep

Weather today was that rainy, drizzly fog like stuff that reinforces our choice of living elsewhere.
Where we are staying tonight is lovely: St Pierre golf and country club (shame no time for a round)Doing a sun dance now for tomorrow's 100 miles, and hoping all the lorry drivers go on strike...