Cycling Day 2 - Guildford to Gloucester

Wet, Wet, Wet

Dinner in the camper van was fine last night; lots to eat and drink and no waiting. The power in the hotel was restored during our meal which meant the chance of a hot shower before bed. We hadn’t realised that breakfast at the weekends started at 8am and so, no guesses for where we had breakfast earlier today.

Nick was catching the train down to Reading with his bike to lead the guys through a 120 mile stage but just as we set off to meet him at the station, a phone call established that the first train had been cancelled and he was due at Reading Station at 8.40am. So Stephen followed the guys past the Madjeski Stadium and ever westward, along the A4 whilst Sandra and I waited at the station to whisk Nick away to join his pals.

We’d recast the breaks with stops every 20 miles and it was at the first stop at Thatcham that we caught up with the cyclists. They were pleased to see Nick so that he could lead them through the hilly down land to come. Through Newbury with a stiff climb out of the town and gradually the route became more and more rolling with two long drags into the wind with the rain starting to fall. As we approached Marlborough and the second stop, the mist set in, drenching everything and Dan, Rob and Nick were happy for the downhill into the town and a rest and chance to take in food.

Through the busy market, past the College and out onto the downs with the rain holding off but the wind making a tough ride even tougher. The third break was at Chippenham, at the Rawden Arms. Sixty miles completed another sixty to go. We’d decided to call in at Bath Rugby Club and two wheels caught up with four wheels as we stopped and started through the eternal traffic queues of Bath. It was pouring with rain and we waved at the Rec. before moving on with Nick climbing into the van, his legs had gone on the last climb before the long descent towards the old city.

Stop 4 was at Keynsham and a full change into dry clothing was required. Stephen took over in the motor home with Sandra leaving me to guide the Rob and Dan through Bristol with Nick. A mixture of luck and incredible skill allowed vehicle and cyclists to keep in touch throughout the city centre and we emerged onto the A38 heading north without mishap. The same could not be said for the camper vanners. My directions were to blame and the airwaves were blue for some time but for the next hour they struggled though traffic jams to the A4, to meet us on the A38, well on the way to Gloucester.

After 80 miles of cycling west, our route was now north-east and the wind behind rather than head on but the rain came down constantly. After meeting up with the motor home, Nick rejoined the pelleton and led the way for the final 14 miles right into the dock area of Gloucester. A strong finish and a good end to a good days work.

Picking up the bikes we moved onto the Tesco store at Oswald’s Road where 3 members of the Cotswolds Branch of Leukaemia Research were collecting and the guys collected food to eat in the motor home on their ride back to the Premier Travel Inn whilst Sandra and I joined the volunteers for 45 minutes.

Tomorrow, it’s our day in Wales and a visit to the Millennium Stadium.