Distance: 70 miles

Time: 5:39

Elevation: 1802 feet

Breakfast was of the buffet variety, at the Hampton by Hilton, Bristol City Centre, it was the first one I’d seen at a hotel for quite some time!

It was 11 o’clock when I headed out onto the city streets, the warm air and frenetic vitality stirring memories of past adventures as I sought an escape out onto the open roads. The A38 was the secret to my escape and I quickly settled into the flow of the traffic, aided by a cycle lane along most of the route. I was starting to remember the satisfaction of seeing the miles tick by, so for a while I ignored the GPS route as it furrowed a meandering course further North, until with 20 miles under my belt, I finally rejoined it in the small town of Berkeley.

Stopping for a cream tea, I perfected it this time: plain scone, clotted cream, strawberry jam. Too late for Devon but in time for Gloucestershire. I followed the route out of town and was immediately waylaid by a diversion, then when reaching Slimbridge I waited for the swing bridge over the canal, before finding another stony towpath that I wouldn’t be taking. 2 miles of loose stones didn’t appeal, so back to the A38 I went.

40 miles done, I found myself in the splendid environs of the Gloucester Docks, a row of Victorian warehouses sitting beside the canal. The gentle murmur from the quay-side craft beer establishments , almost drew me in, but, after a muffin I’d harvested at breakfast, I was back on my way. Over the hill by Maisemore, and on through the fields to Tewksbury.

With 60 miles covered by 6 o’clock, I was happy with progress and set about trying to find a campsite. The nearest I could find was the Riverside Caravan Park, but it was still 10 miles down the road, so back on the bike I went, through pretty Upton upon Severn, arriving at the site at 19:15.

Having not had lunch, I was relieved to find that there was a restaurant on site, but dismayed to find that they didn’t take card. Most of the money I was carrying was Scottish, what were the chances they’d accept it? Pretty good as it happens, so Chickpea and Sweet Potato Curry, followed by Chocolate Fudge Cake, it was.

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