Cycling Day 3 - Gloucester to Ross-on-Wye via Cardiff

After a good but slow meal and some generous diners who put money in the collecting bucket as I went from table to table last night, an extra hour in bed meant a 9am start on a grey but dry morning with a keen wind blowing from the west. Our route from the Premier Travel Inn took us past Kingsholm into the centre of Gloucester, out on to the Ross road and then south following the Severn on its meander to the sea. It was a scenic but hilly road with some stiff climbs up though Newnham and towards Lydney.

Rob was suffering particularly from sore knees and was happy to let Dan set the pace and both riders were pleased to see the Tesco sign in Lydney and the first stop after 23 miles. We were well-received by Kate Thomas and the team and Sandra collected donations at the entrance whilst the boys took in food and drink – energy conversion machines.

Stage 2 took us as far as Longstone and the New Inn just short of the M4 junction outside Newport. There had been some flatter cycling after Chepstow hill but the strong wind was almost head on making it tough going. Stephen struck up a conversation with 2 police officers who kindly donated money to the cause and inspired he set off into the pub to collect more money from the customers.

Crossing under the M4, Dan and Rob followed the A48 skirting Newport and headed on towards Cardiff, then right at Cardiff Gate, wheels touched and swerved and Dan landed head, shoulder, hip, knee ankle, on his right side and bounced along the road leaving his bike behind him. When I looked at my phone and saw that it was Rob ringing, I knew something was wrong and broke several speed limits back to meet them on the road side. By then, Dan had picked himself up, checked his grazes and bumps and shook himself down. The helmet was bust but we had a spare. Cardiff hospital was a few miles away but he was determined to get back on the bike and after some brute strength to get the chain moving freely, he fairly flew away, adrenalin pumping around his body, as we continued towards the city.

Sandra and Stephen were waiting for us outside the Millennium Stadium and First Aid was swiftly administered. The bike was straightened out properly and riders fed, and after photos and interview outside the stadium gates, it was back to work.

We retraced our steps to Newport and the M4 roundabout overlooked by the Celtic Manor hotel. Just after, on the A449, the guys had their 4th break, in a lay-by alongside the busy dual-carriageway. Both were miraculously feeling better than earlier in the day and they devoured the long drag to Monmouth and continued on the road to Ross for their finish after 105 miles – a brave and courageous effort.

Faye and her family were waiting for us at the Ross Premier Travel Inn had checked us into our rooms. It was nice to see them and a kind gesture of support and they hadhelped to arrange a massage for Rob and Dan. This was kindly provided by Sue Henchley and then it was back to the hotel for more food and sleep.