Our first stop this morning was King Cycles in Taunton, where Robert bought a replacement inner tube for the one that was punctured yesterday. The shopkeeper put some more air in our tyres. Despite best efforts with a hand pump, they needed more air in them.
Our route took us out of Taunton, through Bridgwater, past Cheddar and on to Clevedon for lunch. On the way, we rode over plains and climbed over the Mendip hills. It was raining at that point which reduces visibility and turns every manhole cover into a friction-free surface. Climbing hills is one of the few times when there is little noise, apart from my puffing and panting. When going downhill, there's lots of wind noise. Climbing the Mendips through the forest, I could hear the drip of the raindrops on the leaves of the trees, and the song of birds calling to each other.
Today's transitions were from large animal vetinary practices to dog groomimg parlours, and from agricultural machinery businesses to garden centres.
It took a long time to navigate our way over the river Avon and iuf of Shirehampton. Eventally we got to the Severn bridge and set off across it. There was a fierce wind, that got worse so that we had to pedal hard on the downhill section. From there, we headed up the Wye valley. The road up the valley is stunning, often going along beside the river. there are places where people have planted vines. We stopped at Tintern briefly for a break and a picture.
Eventually, after riding for 10 hours, we rode into the very pleasant town of Monmouth. It took us another hour to find accommodation, by which time we were cold.
Leg index- 5 slowing down at he end of the day
Saddle sore index-4
Hill index 5- a few steep ones
No falls, punctures or breakages today.
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