Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath 81 miles

I started the day saying goodbye to dad, as most people know, I am crap with goodbyes, and obviously had a little cry. I pulled myself together (after a fashion) and went down for breakfast. Knowing it was a long day, I went into Stratford to get some food before heading out out of town and towards Cheltenham. I found it hard to get going today but once I found my legs, I was in a good mood. It tickled me to see that by going through Cheltenham I had managed to stick to a more hilly course, but I enjoyed the challenge and of course, the hills. I stopped in Cheltenham for lunch, nothing too interesting and then headed off to Stroud where I stopped to stock up on supplies. I reckoned by then that I only had 30 miles to go so didn't really push myself, imagining I would arrive in Bath by 9 at the latest.

I was cycling along quite nicely until I took the decision to turn off the main A46 and to take the back roads into the east of Bath. I did quite well until, well, I got lost. Not lost exactly but I knew I was on the wrong road and that although it would get me to where I wanted to go, it would take me an extra 5 miles. Knowing that, and also knowing that there were more little lanes than were marked on my map, I had to stick with it but that was only after a few diversions and one aborted attempt at turning back. After using the compass to ensure I was heading in vaguely the right direction, I hit the good old Foss and eventually a sign for Bath. It was getting late by this point and I stopped at a phone box to call the Youth Hostel only to find it had been vandalised, my own phone had been out of reception and then conveniently, out of power.

I eventually found the bridge into the city and turned to my very poor city centre map. I struggled up the hill through Bathampton and tried my best to orientate myself in Bath itself, not easy but having a vague idea of the direction I knew I was heading the right way. I eventually found the road the hostel was on and, true to YHA policy it was at the top of a hill, a 12% hill. I was knackered by this point and after a very poor effort, got off and pushed. This took, I suspect just as much energy as cycling would but at least was using slightly less weary muscles. Eventually I checked into the Youth Hostel, got changed and went down to the bar where I had a well deserved glass of wine.