After one of those hypothetical lunchtime conversations at work, me and a mate ended up touring the wiltshire cycleway this week. As the title suggests, it was my first and the first time I busted 100k in a day.
Thought I would post it for you seasoned tourists on here.
Day 1.
Set out from Bradford on Avon in what turned out to be a day long 'shower' on roads which resembled the surface of the moon. For about 30% of it, some sort of agricultural vehicle had spilt diesel all over it too. Chuck in 995 metres of climb and it tested the resolve to tour. Did 50 miles in the end which was a first.
Kipped over at a pub near Gillingham.
Day 2.
Lush weather, and a lush run into Salisbury, compared to the grueller that was day 1, felt like all flat or downhill to Salisbury. Had a little rest and a gel by the cathedral, then crossed Salisbury plain, stopping in at a military air base on the way as a reward for another 900 odd meters of climbing. Then dropped down through what felt like rural France to Marlborough where we stayed at another pub.
Day 3.
Cloudless, breezy and hot. Climb up from Marlborough to the ridgeway through what was, to be honest, gorgeous scenery and crossing a ford or two on the way to males bury for lunch and a pint.
To be honest, it felt all downhill in the sun from there back to Bradford, through some of the best weather I have cycled in. Wadworth's finest may have helped with that though.
I know I don't have a great deal of touring experience, but this route was great, about 3km of climbing, but plenty of visual rewards and potential for liquid based reinforcement.
If anyone wants the gpx file, drop me a pm and I'll send it once I have worked out how to get it off my garmin.
A couple of pics:
Thought I would post it for you seasoned tourists on here.
Day 1.
Set out from Bradford on Avon in what turned out to be a day long 'shower' on roads which resembled the surface of the moon. For about 30% of it, some sort of agricultural vehicle had spilt diesel all over it too. Chuck in 995 metres of climb and it tested the resolve to tour. Did 50 miles in the end which was a first.
Kipped over at a pub near Gillingham.
Day 2.
Lush weather, and a lush run into Salisbury, compared to the grueller that was day 1, felt like all flat or downhill to Salisbury. Had a little rest and a gel by the cathedral, then crossed Salisbury plain, stopping in at a military air base on the way as a reward for another 900 odd meters of climbing. Then dropped down through what felt like rural France to Marlborough where we stayed at another pub.
Day 3.
Cloudless, breezy and hot. Climb up from Marlborough to the ridgeway through what was, to be honest, gorgeous scenery and crossing a ford or two on the way to males bury for lunch and a pint.
To be honest, it felt all downhill in the sun from there back to Bradford, through some of the best weather I have cycled in. Wadworth's finest may have helped with that though.
I know I don't have a great deal of touring experience, but this route was great, about 3km of climbing, but plenty of visual rewards and potential for liquid based reinforcement.
If anyone wants the gpx file, drop me a pm and I'll send it once I have worked out how to get it off my garmin.
A couple of pics:
