Day Four

A good start, over the Clifton suspension bridge....twice. The route cards did not match the map and after a prolonged rigorous debate where going south bound was the inevitable end point, we agreed that James was right. I took it quite well, as I think James' black eye demonstrates.

Having gone 8 miles out of our way we were keen to progress quickly. Our legs were still suffering the after effects of the first 2 days so the combination of this and ominous black clouds was causing some concern whether we'd reach Ludlow before midnight. However, the Severn Bridge crossing was quick with the wind on our backs and onto the Wye Valley. The route through to Monmouth was superb, mostly down hill for 20 miles though we were more cautious due to the wet roads and mud slides, so only a maximum speed of 41.5 mph today.

The road onto Hereford and Leominister was very quick with James, Toby & I taking it in turns to draft and save energy. Once we got 5 miles out of Ludlow the weather changed for the worse. Rain came down like stair rods turning the road to rivers and us very wet. Found the B&B (Mill House) in Ludlow eventually who kindly took us in offering us tea and free washing facilities.