Day 4

Everyone was up and getting themselves sorted by half 6 this morning and by 820 we were under way. Matt, the local copper who sorted last nights digs joined the boys for the first 25 miles. He claimed not to be an accomplished cyclist but he took no time at all in blowing our boys away. Mind you he did have fresh legs!

This was our first proper day with the whole team working as one unit. Omar and Jo were in the little van, while Bev and I were in the mini bus brining up the rear. Omars van went ahead scouting for suitable stopping places to set up a rest stop, and our bus stayed behind where possible in case of any mechanical issues with the bikes or riders.

We meandered our way through Somerset, passing through Taunton, Cheddar, and Clevedon, going down some very narrow country lanes which took us towards Avonmouth docks. Talking afterwards to the boys, they said how cycling through all the docks and industrial estates leading up to the Severn Bridge was the worst part. The roads were very busy with impatient truck drivers driving very close to them and hurling abuse because they'd been held up for 30 seconds!

Once across the bridge and into Wales, we stopped at Tintern Abbey. (well we think that bit was Wales!) We saw Michael Portillo doing some filming. (that's not the reason we stopped I might add!) Bev asked him for a photo with the team, to which his assistant piped up saying how 'busy' he was! Miserable sod! You could see how tired the boys were now, but with less than 20 miles to go, they pushed on. The last few miles were filled with many hills which really pushed the lads to their limits. Exactly 100 miles after leaving West Buckland they arrived at the finish point. Tonight's stop is off route. So we all piled in the vans and drove to Pauls caravan-to be honest, I'm not exactly sure where we are!

We were greeted by a lot of familiar faces- Faye, Jay and Carey, from work-Carey brought his mrs-Jaime, and Flynn-his rather cool dog! Bevs husband-Mac, and Daves wife and daughter-Jules and Cath, were here too. As soon as we arrived, everyone jumped to action stations and within minutes, Jamie had our air beds inflated, Mac had all our bags in our tents and Jules and Cath did an excellent job with the bbq!

Omar and I managed to get our first showers since Saturday morning- not because we like to smell, its just that we haven't stopped anywhere until now that had one! When I got back to camp, everyone was sitting in a circle listening to Paul attempt to play 'Drunken Sailor' on his guitar. The same guitar that we had deliberately left so that we wouldn't have to suffer, but Carey managed to bring it with him! Thanks Carey!

Right now we're all drinking Carey's homemade wine, so there maybe a few hangovers in the morning!

Posted by John

Messages:

From Paul,

Hi Elliott missing you loads, dad.

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