Last weekend, a group of us (16 in total) rode approximately 160 miles from Southampton to Hereford. The purpose of the ride was to raise money to support the wonderful work of the Hereford-based Royal National College for the Blind (RNC). We had been planning and training since February. We had been anxiously watching the weather forecast. There had been the possibility of the tail end of Hurricane Lorenzo fouling up our plans, but thankfully it went through the day before we set off. (photographs are below the text...) The fun started at our ABPmer office on Town Quay, Southampton. ‘Saint’ Helen arrived with our support van into which bags, spare bikes and miscellaneous bits and pieces were thrown. Damon provided the warm-up act - an impressive pirouette at the end of Town Quay – first man down….! Bruised rump and pride, but otherwise OK. We then crossed the start line with wonderful support and c...
I was intrigued to discover that Lenin had a Rolls Royce. Indeed, not a regular model, but a Silver Ghost, soft-top, specially adapted for the snow, with caterpillar tracks on the back and skis on the front. Both a paradox and a beautiful engineering masterpiece! It is now exhibited in the Gorki Mansion Museum.
The day began with a welcome cup of tea and a bowl of Rod’s legendary porridge - marvellous! We set out back on Route 47, with a delightful ride through the Three Forests. Smooth, tarmaced track surface and lovely woodland. We followed Route 47 to Qaker’s Yard, and joined the Taff Trail briefly, before continuing west on Route 47, just north of Pontypridd. We rode progressively up (and up) into the mist and rain. Set out on the long track section of the route, but took the decision that we were proceeding too slowly and that the rough surface would likely damage the bikes, so turned back. A long descent to discover a small shop that served very welcome coffee and cakes. Recharged, we headed back for Route 4. A fine lunch of Spar sandwiches was enjoyed in a bus shelter in the rain. After some confusion finding the track, we rode through a nature reserve, then close to Bridgend. Then on west, finding Margham Country Park. Unfortunately, we didn’...
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