361 Miles / 581 Km
Last night I slept terribly, despite having a room to myself. I think I was nervous about today and the distance I was needing to make to catch up.
So… 7.15 am and I’m checking out of the hostel and on the road by 7.30. A hike up the horrendous 1 mile hill that I biked down last night and then a gentle downhill into the village of Goodrich.
The country roads into Hereford were pretty easy and then I hit the A49 which was the road I stayed on for 90% of the day. Being on a main road and not cycle paths was so much easier not just on the bike but on my legs. The road was smooth, the hard shoulder was wide and cars were giving me plenty of space (Thank you to the drivers on the A49 today – you were ALL awesome) I passed through the town of Hereford as quick as I could after a quick stop a gas station to fuel up on the snacks on sugary drinks 🙂
For the next 50 miles or so to Shrewsbury was the A49 and I’m finally heading North and feeling like I’m getting somewhere. Cloudy but dry skies, gentle winds behind me and a smooth road it made for a pleasant ride and I was covering the miles in better time than I had all week! A late breakfast was had at a snack van in a lay by- a sausage and egg bap…. oh I’ve missed a good breakfast bap! I sat and chatted with a nice lady here for a while, and she even gave me some coins for sponsorship 🙂
I hit Shrewsbury just after 3, and was making really good time. With only 25 miles left I was feeling good. My legs were knackered but I knew Id make it to gobowen so I took it easy for the next couple of hours. I stopped 10 miles short of Gobowen for coffee – as at this point my eyes were the most tired and my focus wasn’t great. I was on the A5 now which was dual carriageway and I needed the focus. The coffee helped and got me down the A5 into Whittingdon, and then a few more miles through some little villages to Gobowen. The rain clouds were coming in and I was happy to be at my couch surfing place for the night. I’m dry, warm-ish, hungry and tired!
My Couch Surfing place for the night is with Tony and Carol, I was welcomed with a cup of tea, which I was more than grateful for, followed swiftly by a hot shower and a draft beer… yep a draft beer machine in the house… I felt pretty at home.
Dinner was stew and dumplings and was fantastic. Such a homely meal and stay with this family. Tony took me on a short drive after dinner to show me the bike route to take tomorrow down to and over the viaducts.. hoping for a pretty morning to get some good photos down here!
We drank a couple more beers and shared travel stories and other nonsense chat until into the night. Realising it was 10pm I had to call it a night. My body was pooped and needed rest. Looking forward to a good night of sleep!!
Thank you for a great stay Tony and Carol!
