The weather was fantastic and the miles just drifted by as we went through Itchington (no fleas!), Cromall to the Kilcott Valley and onto the first control at the Royal Oak Pub in Leighterton, where we had coffee in the carpark - no beer at this one! Then onto Tetbury to Oaksey - followed signs to Ewen (but never found him) and down a very steep hill to the Daneway Inn at Sapperton for the lunch stop. I was a bit nervous when I realized I would have to go back up the hill after lunch until I saw my answer - which one would you take?
But my fears were laid to rest when I actually started up the hill - I flew and when Robin stopped to wait for me he turned round and there I was "how did you get up here so fast?" my only answer was it must have been the pint of coke at lunchtime - the ultimate energy drink!!
We then trundelled on to Cherington and through the "Valley where time stood still" and onto yet another pub this one called the Hunters Hall Inn (must have been organised by a chap who likes his beer!) Then the last stretch towards Wotton where there was a really steep downhill which was ok until the section where the road surface was unmentionable, I really thought I was going to fly off my bike a few times! Then back to Alveston for the finish where we had another pint of coke to congratulate ourselves! 69 miles in 5.5 hours with average speed of 14mph (max speed 36mph - Wotton-under-edge hill!!) not bad eh partner!!
The best bit for me, at the end we met a very friendly couple called Mark & Louise who are getting married in July but Mark had done the London - Paris ride 6 or 7 years ago from Grenwich to Dover so that was great to chat to another mad person!!
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