Ian H
Ancient randonneur
After a season in which I managed more on a fixed-wheel than I have ever done before (an SR series and PBP), a disappointing 24hr and a very nice 58.45 in my only 25 of the year, I needed a rest. The AUK reunion was last weekend, and a friend and I decided to ride a gentle 3-day tour there. We set off from near Pontardawe with panniers. The first day took us up the Neath valley and a loop towards Merthyr before swerving north and climbing past Talybont reservoir. Then lanes and B-roads took us to Ross. 123km for the first day and a hotel that was much better than their website promised.
The second day started with a short section of busy A40 before branching into lanes again. Less hilly than the previous day, it took us a little while to find a suitable lunch-stop. My Garmin batteries died in Broadway and had to buy more (the one thing I forgot to pack). The Fosse Way looked good on the map, but proved to be a nice dead-straight race-track for motorists. We were glad to turn off for Leamington, our next destination. What a shame I'd booked the wrong day at the hotel. Fortunately they had rooms and we didn't have to search for other accommodation. A fine Italian restaurant finished the day nicely. 112km.
The route for the final day was difficult to plan. I reached what I thought was a reasonable compromise between distance and too much main road. We had our first serious rain. The A605 towards Peterborough was the busiest, but we turned off as soon as possible for a quieter route into the town. A brief encounter with rush-hour traffic on the by-pass and we were in sight of the hotel. We were greeted at the entrance, our bikes unloaded and parked. Then, after a wash and change, we were ready for the evening's entertainment. 111km.
I had train tickets for the journey home to Devon. This did involve a quick traffic-dodge between Kings Cross and Waterloo, and a final 56km from Yeovil Junction as engineering works had closed the line. Darkness, gusting wind, and showers combined with hills to make it a hard final leg. Total distance about 400km.
I was on gears, having put the fixed to bed for serious riding until (possibly) next year. You can see the route here.
The second day started with a short section of busy A40 before branching into lanes again. Less hilly than the previous day, it took us a little while to find a suitable lunch-stop. My Garmin batteries died in Broadway and had to buy more (the one thing I forgot to pack). The Fosse Way looked good on the map, but proved to be a nice dead-straight race-track for motorists. We were glad to turn off for Leamington, our next destination. What a shame I'd booked the wrong day at the hotel. Fortunately they had rooms and we didn't have to search for other accommodation. A fine Italian restaurant finished the day nicely. 112km.
The route for the final day was difficult to plan. I reached what I thought was a reasonable compromise between distance and too much main road. We had our first serious rain. The A605 towards Peterborough was the busiest, but we turned off as soon as possible for a quieter route into the town. A brief encounter with rush-hour traffic on the by-pass and we were in sight of the hotel. We were greeted at the entrance, our bikes unloaded and parked. Then, after a wash and change, we were ready for the evening's entertainment. 111km.
I had train tickets for the journey home to Devon. This did involve a quick traffic-dodge between Kings Cross and Waterloo, and a final 56km from Yeovil Junction as engineering works had closed the line. Darkness, gusting wind, and showers combined with hills to make it a hard final leg. Total distance about 400km.
I was on gears, having put the fixed to bed for serious riding until (possibly) next year. You can see the route here.
