Tour of Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Day 1 - Mells to Cwmcarn

Friday was a rather strange and stressful day. It should have been a gentle prelude to the week’s cycling trip that I had so been looking forward to. In the end, it was anything but that. However, I managed to get just about everything ticked off my tasklist before I turned in (except packing for the trip). Friday was actually rather a momentous day - I accepted my new job offer, and tendered my resignation after 11 years at BMT!

So, I got up super early this morning and packed. I’m a bit meticulous when packing for cycling trips. I have my faithful kit list, and make sure that everything goes in the right place. Panniers loaded and bike on roof, goodbye to Kim, then off to Mells for breakfast with Guy and Rosemary.

Finally, Guy and I kitted up and set off through the glorious Somerset hills, towards Bath. I’m always delighted to pedal through the Twin Tunnels.

We pressed on, along the Bath to Bristol Cycleway, and met up with Geoff for very welcome coffee and biscuits. Geoff then guided us superbly around Bristol to the old Severn Bridge. We met Rod at Chepstow, and had a sumptuous feed at Tesco Express! Then au revoir to Geoff, and off into Welsh Wales.

We had a fine ride along Sustrans Route 4 to Newport. The highlight was the old Transporter Bridge. Unfortunately, we had missed the last crossing for the day. We rode along by the stylish new waterfront developments, and onto Route 47.

The ride from Newport followed beside the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal - a magnificent track. Finally we arrived at Cwmcarn and pitched camp.

A cracking first day in the saddle!! 😁🚴‍♀️