clairedavieswriter

Two historic cities bookended today’s ride, sandwiching a mostly flat, deeply rural section, dotted with dairy farms and offering views of distant hills.

Unfortunately the wind had not received the memo about prevailing from the south, but on the plus side sunglasses were definitely required.

The National Cycle Network continued to impress, with clear signage, imaginative ways to safely crisscross the M5, and proper separation from the traffic in busy sections.

In the countryside, personal needs can often be met al fresco. In towns, it’s more socially acceptable (and less embarrassing) to use the facilities. It’s quite funny seeing people’s faces when you pedal into a petrol station.

Wayside signs ranged from the straightforward…

To the topical…

To the unintentionally informative…

To the downright confusing:

My route followed the River Severn…

And the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal…

All the way to Gloucester’s historic docks:

The last 10k were an eminently forgettable slog beside, beneath and over busy roads, thankfully mostly separated from the traffic, and I was very glad to reach my destination in Cheltenham eight and a half hours after I’d left Bristol. My thanks to Mara and David for putting me up.