Tuesday 29^th August 2006 - Bristol to Clun Mill (Shropshire)

After a purchasing a new pump, I got a little lost leaving Bristol on the ring road system and had to resort to using the compass to head North again. It was windy crossing the Severn Bridge where I used the service road/cycle lane. On entering Wales I made some great progress up the Wye Valley and had lunch at Monmouth. I stopped at holy spring dated 1189 to fill my water bottles, although unsure on the purity, the water seemed to give me a boost.

The B roads smaller lanes I followed through the borders into Herefordshire became hilly, but the scenery and sky was stunning as I rode into the late evening. The dusk ride became tough as I there were headwinds leading into Kington, where I stopped for much needed fish and chips. I finished for the first time by nightfall late arriving at Clun Mill and almost missed the hostel, with only a gut feeling telling me to go back to the (well lit)  building I passed some way back. Great hostel, with interesting mill features still in place throughout the ground floor.

    Distance: 97 miles

The impressive Severn Bridge

Into Wales                                                                Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley

Holy Well near Monmouth                                            Standing stone in borders

Back in England and border country            Dusk approaches

Steepest climb so far                                The evening sky in borders